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Wood Chess Set
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library
Wood Chess Set
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library

Wood Chess Set

Artifact ID2017.4.1.a-jj
Object Type Set, Chess
Intended Recipient (American, 1961)
Medium wood, metal, adhesive, ink, textile, plastic
DimensionsOverall - 3D (.a: Board, Open) H 2 1/8 in x W 21 1/8 in x D 20 3/4 in (5.4 cm x 53.7 cm x 52.7 cm )
Overall - 3D (.a: Board, Closed) H 4 in x W 21 1/8 in x D 10 3/8 in (10.2 cm x 53.7 cm x 26.4 cm )
Overall - 3D (.b & .r: Kings) H 4 3/4 in x Diam 1 1/4 in (12.1 cm x 3.2 cm )
Overall - 3D (.c & .s: Queens) H 4 in x Diam 1 1/4 in (10.2 cm x 3.2 cm )
Overall - 3D (.d-e & .t-u: Bishops) H 3 1/8 in x Diam 1 1/4 in (7.9 cm x 3.2 cm )
Overall - 3D (.f-g & .v-w: Knights) H 3 1/8 in x W 1 1/4 in x D 1 3/4 in (7.9 cm x 3.2 cm x 4.4 cm )
Overall - 3D (.h-i & .x-y: Rooks) H 2 1/2 in x Diam 1 1/4 in (6.4 cm x 3.2 cm )
Overall - 3D (.j-q & z-gg: Pawns) H 2 1/8 in x Diam 1 1/4 in (5.4 cm x 3.2 cm )
Overall - 3D (.hh &.ii: Checkers) H 1/2 in x Diam 1 1/4 in (1.3 cm x 3.2 cm )
Overall - 3D (.jj: Dice) H 3/8 in x W 3/8 in x D 3/8 in (1 cm x 1 cm x 1 cm )

Physical DescriptionFolding wooden chess, checkers, and backgammon set with decorative floral and leafy engravings on the sides of the board (.a). The edge of the board and interior is the natural wood pattern. When opened, the interior of the board contains four insets for the lining up the pieces when playing backgammon. The interior has a dark decorative design in the center of each side. The set includes dark and light wooden chess pieces(.b-gg), dark and light wooden disks that can be used for checkers and backgammon (.hh-ii), as well as two six sided dice (.jj).
Historical NotePresented by President Talabani of Iraq to Senator Obama on February 16, 2006.
Custodial History / ProvenanceThis item is part of materials acquired by President Barack Obama previous to the Obama administration, and maintained by the White House Residence Storage until its transfer to the National Archives in January 2017 for deposit with the Obama Presidential Library. Additional Details
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Barack Obama Presidential Library. The Barack Obama Presidential Library does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62
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