Lot #374. Fouray Four Handed Chessboard
Fouray Four Handed Chessboard.
Offered here is the original Fouray Four Handed Chessboard which was first advertised by Gallant Knight in 1960. It utilized their plastic chessmen in four colors: red, white, blue and black (Not included). The chessmen had a 2-3/8″ King with a 1-3/16″ diameter base. The this four-handed game was copyrighted in 1960 by Jack Quinn. Later, after Gallant Knight folded, Jack Quinn obtained a Patent Pending on the design. The sets were then offered through Fouray Plus, 710 Silver Spur Road #322; Rolling Hills Estates, California, 90274. The chess board is in excellent condition. This offering is only for the Fouray Four Handed Chessboard.
Some Background. Gallant Knight chessmen first appear in The Chess Review magazines in the early 1940s. The early sets were offered in the Student size with a 2-3/8″ King and a 1-3/16″ diameter base; and the Standard size with a 2-3/4″ King and a 1-5/16″ diameter base. The company moved from their original facilities at 147 Grand Avenue, Lake Villa, IL, to 228 West Kinzie Street, Chicago 10, IL, and added the small, Travel set No. 100(M) with a 2-1/8″ King having a 15/16″ diameter base; and a large Tournament set with a 4-7/8″ King and a 2-0″ diameter base. The sets were produced in a Mottled plastic as well as a Black or Red and ivory colored plastic. the Travel and Student sets were housed in simple cardboard boxes (No. 100, No. 35 and No. 36). The Standard sets were housed in cardboard boxes, hinged leatherette cases and a very attractive wooden chest (No. 75 and No. 76). The large Tournament set was housed in a hinge-top leatherette covered cardboard box. The Fouray game was apparently a cooperation between Gallant Knight and Jack Quinn, who later tried to patent the set. The original larger four-handed chessboard offered here is shown in the adjacent Gallant Knight advertisement.
