Lot #423. Small Antique Tournament Chessboard

Small Antique Tournament Chessboard.

This offering features a small Antique Tournament Chessboard. The squares are solid Sycamore and Rosewood with a lipped Mahogany frame. The chessboard measures 19″ square. The square size is 1-7/8″. The condition of the chessboard is sound, but it is missing a raised portion along the frame, which is visible in the images. There is also some minor splits  and separation between the squares. The chess board appears to have been produced in the United Kingdom. The chessboard is designed to accommodate chessmen with a base diameter of between 1-3/8″ and 1-1/2″.

This English-made small-framed style chessboard was in common use until World War II. After the War, much more economical wooden chess boards started appearing from other European countries such as Spain, Poland and Germany. Chessboards bearing the Jaques of London and British Chess Company stamping were all most likely produced by the same factory in the UK.