Name/Title
"Magnetic Standing Chess & Checker Set" — Folding Travel Game in Vinyl CaseEntry/Object ID
2025.1.335Description
Portable folding game set in a black vinyl/leatherette wallet-style case with a snap closure. The closed cover is printed in gold with silhouettes of a chess king and knight and the words "MAGNETIC STANDING CHESS & CHECKER SET." Opened, the case interior forms a two-panel folding playing surface printed with a black-and-white checkerboard bordered by algebraic coordinates (files A–H and ranks 1–8, duplicated and mirrored across the fold so the grid reads correctly when laid flat). Inside, staunton-style chess pieces in ivory and black, plus round magnetic draughts/checker discs in red and black. The metal snap is corroded. Incomplete pieces.Context
Sets of this type were commonly produced in East Asia (Hong Kong/Japan, later China) in the mid-to-late 20th century.Collection
The Cabrera Arús family collectionMade/Created
Notes
Manufacturer: not identified — sets of this type were commonly produced in East Asia (Hong Kong/Japan, later China) in the mid-to-late 20th century.
Date: circa 1960s–1980s (tentative), based on the vinyl case and piece styling; no printed date.Dimensions
Dimension Description
17.5 x 9 x 2.5Parts
(1) folding vinyl case with printed board and snap closure; (2) 30 chess pieces (ivory and black); (3) 24 checker/draughts discs (red and black).Materials
Material
PlasticMaterial Notes
Vinyl/leatherette over board stiffener (case); printed paper/laminate (board surface); molded plastic with embedded magnets (pieces); metal (snap fastener).Relationships
Related Places
Place
City
HavanaCountry
CubaRegion
Caribbean, Central AmericaNotes
useCreated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsCreate Date
March 31, 2022Updated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsUpdate Date
June 16, 2026
