Designed chiefly to learn simple spelling and sentences, the Jeu de Lettres also includes accents, punctuation marks, a couple of ligatures, single digit numbers and blank spaces as separators. Also the makers pointedly notes the inclusion of the letter ‘W’ probably as the letter is used only for loan words in France but must have felt justified in adding the letter to at least encourage export sales. Charles Auguste Watilliaux (1847-1924) was a publisher and game manufacturer and merchant active in Paris from the time he took over Coqueret in 1874 until he sold out to Revenaz & Tabernat in 1908. His premises where located at 111 Rue Vieille du Temple in the heart of the Marais where many other toys and game makers were established. A surviving 1903 trade catalogue lists the Jeu de Lettres as coming in five versions, the most expensive version, like our example coming in a mahogany box.