An unusual Staunton pattern boxwood and ebony chess set for the Blind, late 19th century
white bishops with cuts to the sides, white pawns with special thin ‘wedges’ to the top, white rooks with special thin ‘wedges’ to the battlements (to differentiate the white side from the black side), the chessmen drilled to take pegs or metal screws, the king 9cm high, the pawn 5cm high, with an accompanying mahogany and rosewood chess board/box for the blind, the alternate raised squares in rosewood and boxwood, with peg-holes for the chess pieces, the interior with a green baize lining, and brass hook clasp. 37.5cm wide.
This unusual antique set has been cleverly designed for use by blind people. Squares and chessmen can be identified by touch alone.
