Lot #487. Worn Catlin’s Pocket Chess Set for use as Spares

Worn Catlin’s Pocket Chess Set for Use as Spares.

Here is a set of Worn Catlin’s Pocket Chess Set. It could serve as a possible Spares set. The set consists of a nearly complete set of celluloid-type chessmen with characters printed in red and black, which slip into pockets in the slotted leather chessboard as provided. The Pocket Chessboard is covered in a black leather to form a folding wallet.  The set measures 4-1/2″” x 4-1/2″ closed. The outer black leather wallet is in very poor condition and is in two parts, badly fraying. The slotted leather chessboard and celluloid chessmen are in good condition, although the print is fading and one Black Pawn and one red Knight are missing. This item dates to around 1890. The patent application can be viewed at https://patents.google.com/patent/US413026.

Some Background.

The Catlin’s Pocket Chess Set was registered at the U.S Patent Office to Fred Catlin, of Brooklyn, New York. as the POCKET CHESS BOARD. No. 413,026 on October 15, 1889.