Private company

J. W. Spear & Sons

Logo: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons³

Board game manufacturer including Scrabble

J. W. Spear and Sons was a manufacturer of board games during the 20th century. The company was founded by Jacob Wolf Spier (1832-1893) in Fürth, near Nuremberg, Germany in 1879. They initially produced goods such as table mats, photo frames, and waste-paper baskets.² It ceased to exist in 1997.¹ Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1879Founded¹

Industrygame industry¹
HeadquartersFürth¹
Legal formjoint-stock company¹

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J. W. Spear and Sons was a manufacturer of board games during the 20th century. The company was founded by Jacob Wolf Spier (1832-1893) in Fürth, near Nuremberg, Germany in 1879. They initially produced goods such as table mats, photo frames, and waste-paper baskets. By the turn of the century, games had become their main product.²

The story

Founded by Jacob Wolf Spier in 1879.¹

Leadership

Who has led J. W. Spear & Sons, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

FounderJacob Wolf Spier¹

Products and brands

board game
card game

Listed on Wikidata.¹

Timeline

1997Dissolved Dissolved¹
1879Founded Founded¹

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

1
WikidataJ. W. Spear & Sons on Wikidata
2
WikipediaJ. W. Spear & Sons on Wikipedia
3
Wikimedia CommonsJ. W. Spear & Sons logo by Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain