CCI - U A NEWSChess Collectors International Volume 2015 Issue 2

IN THIS ISSUE

Easter Island Chess Set Wandas Wines & Naughty (K)nights

(Taking it all in Sipping from Scrubys Unsweetened Pewter) Adult Leisure Products [ALPSCO]

THE CCI-USA NEWS 2

World Chess Hall of Fame Proposed Exhibit Emily, from the St. Louis World Chess Hall of Fame,

recently contacted Floyd Sarisohn in a bid to find items to feature in a proposed Exhibit of World War II Chess sets scheduled to start June 25, 2015.

As stated in Emilys request, the Museum is seeking artifacts like the ones listed below:

Chess sets mailed to or created by members of the military

Chess sets as recreation for troops POWs and chess Chess as therapy How the game appears in propaganda

images/popular culture 1939 Chess Olympiad and immigrant players The Interrupted World Chess and Womens World

Chess Championship cycles The Chess for the Wounded organization Codebreakers

As you can see, Im casting a pretty wide net right now! I have some examples of chess sets that were mailed to American and German soldiers, as well as some photography and periodicals (Chess Review). I would love to have an Ajax Chessmen set to show as well.

Emily can be reached by email at Emily.allred@worldchesshof.org by anyone who may have items for the exhibit.

Emily World Chess Hall of Fame On The Cover

World Chess Museum and Hall of Fame, St. Louis, MO, USA. The CCI-USA Meeting is scheduled for St. Louis on August 28-30, 2015, coinciding with the holding of the 3rd Annual Sinquefield Cup Chess Tournament. In 2014 the Tournament had six of the top nine players in the world participate. It was considered the strongest chess tournament ever played in the United States. The CCI-USA Meeting will also coincide with an encore exhibition from the famous chess collection owned by Jon Crumiller.

JOHN ROGERS CHESS ORIGINAL CASTING FOR SALE - 1889

John Rogers (1829-1904) was the best known and most popular American sculptor during the second half of the 19th century. During his sculpting career, from 1859-1893, he produced plaster castings of approximately 80 of his works, depicting themes from the Civil War, history, and the theater. However, most of his subjects were vignettes of every-day Americans just enjoying life.

In 1889, Rogers executed CHESS, one of his finest works. In the sculptors catalogs, he informed prospective purchasers that The position of the pieces on the board is taken from a problem given in the frontispiece of Stauntons Chess Players Companion entitled Enigma. The Bishop, King, Pawn and Queen in the second row, and starting from the left hand, are white, and black is to be checkmated in seven moves. The sculptor was an avid chess player.

Rogers sculpted CHESS near the end of his career. Consequently, he made only a limited number of castings, and examples of CHESS are quite rare today.

This grouping is being offered by the co-author of a book on John Rogers. The statue is guaranteed to be an original Rogers Group, cast circa 1889-1893. It is in wonderful condition, retaining virtually all of its original paint with only minor, undetectable touch-ups and no damage. The sculpture can be safely packed and shipped anywhere in the world. Price: $1900 plus actual shipping charges. Alternatively, the group may be viewed and picked up at my home on Long Island, New York.

I also invite you to visit my website, johnrogers.info. Bruce Bleier

brucebleier@aol.com 516-791-4353

The following article originally appeared in the August 1951 issue of Chess Review

EASTER ISLAND CHESS SET by Gorden H MacDougall and Orlando Arancibia

The Chess Set illustrated here is probably one of the widest variations from the classical design in

existence. It was made by natives of Easter Island, a tiny spot on the Pacific with scarcely two thousand inhabitants and a remarkable history in curious statuary. The pieces all represent some figure of their religion or their legendary past.

Three such sets exist today. One is here in the United States, another belongs to a Chilean naval officer and the third was recently presented to the President of Chile by the chief of the island. [Photos by Gorden H MacDougall]

THE PAWN symbolizes the gigantic stone statues on Easter Island, carved by the first inhabitants. It gives the feeling of slow, plodding strength inherent in the Pawn. The statues represented the chiefs of tribes and were placed on platforms over the collective tombs where the members of the tribe were buried. It is believed that the statues served as eternal guardians of the dead.

THE ROOK symbolizes the first chief, Hotu Matua, who had control over the past and the future and who therefore had a face looking in each direction. As such, the piece representing him is probably more in keeping with the function of the Rook than the Rook itself. Legend has it that Hotu Matua reached the island about eight hundred years ago. There are still direct descendants of his there.

THE CCI-USA NEWS 8

THE BISHOP represents the bird-man, one of the priests that take part in the pagan rites of the island. He, in turn, represents the albatross, which was the legendary protector of the islanders. Symbolically, he continues to be their protector today. His figure is found carved in the caverns of the sacred city on top of the volcano, Ran-Kao. THE KING is a realistic representation of Hotu Matua, who was not a god but who taught the islanders agriculture and weaving. In his capacity of father of his people, he is best represented by the Black King whose face reflects vigor and determination. As a chess piece, his fundamental weakness is nicely conveyed by the receding chin of the White King.

9 EASTER ISLAND CHESS SET

THE HORSE is the bird-man again but this time in an eating position, which gives the impression that he is about to spring and so conveys the function of that piece perhaps better than does the Knight itself in the standard chess set.

THE QUEEN is the wife of Hotu Matua which makes her a person of much less importance than her position on the chess board would indicate. The island artisans were not interested in perpetuating their women in statuary. Only one such figure is known to have been made by them. It is now in the London Museum.

WANDAS WINES & NAUGHTY (K)NIGHTS (Taking it all in Sipping From Scrubys Unsweetened Pewter)

Another Adventure with John A. Mazzucco, Vermont

THE ARTIST / DESIGNER Wanda M. Scruby may not be a name that you

readily recognize - but in my opinion, it should be. Reportedly, an artist-sculptor in her own right according to the Internets Outwest mktg.com Website, she was born May 3, 1917 in Salt Lake City, Utah) and passed away at her residence in Cambria, California on December 15, 2012. Word has it that she met the Big Chess Set Designer in the Sky at the wonderfully mature age of 95.

Her pewter creations range from napkin holders to at least two, if not three, different themed chess sets. The former items can easily be found on various websites as well as, likely, in specialized stores such as Vintage shops here in the USA. While many of her pewter creations such as single or a cluster of 3-5 small pewter items can rather easily be found her chess sets are much more difficult to unearth. Aside from eBay, there are also other website venues, such as qmstore.com, to search. In fact, as of the writing of this article, one of Wandas chess sets described within this CCI-USA article can be found at qmstore.com for a pretty penny. (Well, maybe many thousands of pennies)!

Although Wanda Scruby may well have become even more noticed completely on her own, it appears that her connection namely marriage to Jack Scruby (D.O.D. September 10, 1988) helped her to develop her artistic ability and marketing skills. It is possible that Wanda thought of creating chess sets well before Jack Scruby embarked upon his own pewter adventures. However, it would not seem unreasonable that Jacks interest in toy soldiers influenced the idea and development of Wandas chess sets. It was Jack Scruby, according to a L.A. Times newspaper article and according to his daughter (Judith McCarty), who was the internationally authority on war games... His specialty? Toy Soldiers!

According to Wikipedia and/or Worthopedia, the Scruby Family has been designing and

casting pewter for several decades. Jack Scrubys forte was designing and making Toy Soldiers in the 1950s. He also had a publication named War Game Digest. The initial site was in Visalia, California. However, in the early 1970s Jack and Wanda moved the business to Cambria, California.

It is, frankly, unclear whether both the Retail Store and the Soldier Factory were at the same location. Some documentation (such as seen in a couple of the pictures in this USA CCI article), suggest The Toy Soldier Factory was in Atascadero, California, and the Retail Shop was in Cambria. The Soldier Factory Productions address (with an additional P.O. Box, but also including a street address) was supposedly the 4475 Traffic Way, Atascadero, California location. That address was also at least the site for his mail-order business.

A shop, named The Soldier Gallery still exists in Cambria, California. It is a family owned business and has been providing toy soldiers for over 30 years. The website is http://www.soldiergallery.com/. However, it is unclear as to whether there is a direct Scruby Connection. It appears that it would be at least in some manner. May I suggest that YOU, the reader, do some investigating on your own!

It seems that I am having slightly more difficulty in my search for THE TRUTH (and a final check, mate), than I was in my Philadelphia chess game against the tandem duo, Lothar Schmidt and Yuir Averbakh in 2002 let alone my mid(k)night Jersey City 2014 games with our mutual CCI friend from Colorado, Tom Gallegos! THE SEARCH CONTINUES

A 12 page catalogue, printed in January, 1959 and entitled, Jack Scruby Presents, can be found at the following website: tomeof treasures.com. The table of contents shows a detailed list of figures but there is no mention of any chess sets. A subsequent 28 page

11 WANDA SCRUBY CHESS SETS

supplement, printed in June, 1959, also shows a long list of soldier-related items. However, once again, there is no mention of chess sets.

Another website, deartonyblair.blogspot. com mentions even another publication. The title is: Jack Scrubys 1976-77 Catalogue of Military Miniatures. Made at the Soldier Factory; 789 Main Street, Cambria, California. However, once again, no mention of chess sets.

An Internet search of 4475, Traffic Way, Atascadero, California (an address which appears in a document accompanying my own Wanda Scrubys Arabian Nights Pewter Chess set), results in an identity of a Restaurant Supply Store/Business. I do feel like exclaiming, Where is Waldo?, but the comparison (like my search) would likely be in vain.

A few months ago, I recall finding an Internet picture of a long, one story, building with an identity of The Toy Soldier Factory, owned and operated by Jack Scruby. The picture appeared to be an old photo. It did not appear to be a low-lying, one story shopping mall as what is shown in a modern day picture of 789 Main Street, Cambria, California. It seems that that picture has disappeared into oblivion. (Oblivion? Yes. And so, have most of Wanda Scrubys Chess Sets. Unfortunately, I do not know how many of the two types of chess sets were made. Alas)! WHERE IS THE MISSING LINK?

Chess (The Game of Kings) is aside from an art form and a pastime (as well as a ripe area for collecting) also a game of symbolic war. What could be more natural for Jacks wife Wanda, a sculptor and artist, to focus on designing and making (along with whatever crew may have existed then) chess sets?

If any of you recall a segment on the CBS News in the late 1970s, you may recall the name, Charles Kuralt. The name of the show was On The Road. And youve guessed it: Charles Kuralt reportedly filmed a segment about The Soldier Factory for his TV News Station!

The family tradition of creating small masterpieces in pewter is reportedly still carried

on by Wandas daughter, Wendy, to this very day. Though previously mentioned, the website for this information, is Outwestmktg.com. However, it is at least questionable whether or not new chess sets are in the process of development. In addition, it seems doubtful that old themed chess sets (such as the Arabian Nights and The Roman Grapes) are still created in the Scruby Household or Company.

In early 2013, an Internet web shop, vintagevannas reportedly sold a set of 4 Alice in Wonderland chess pieces. According to the seller at that website, as well as another earlier sighting by another website (seemingly selling the same 4 chess pieces at a slightly earlier date), the 4 pieces were once a part of a complete set of Wanda Scrubys Alice in Wonderland Pewter Chess Set.

As of the writing of my article right here, an essentially identical COMPLETE (Alice in Wonderland) set at least incorporating and showing the same or similar 4 chess pieces - was very recently sold via eBay. The asking price was $199, but the seller apparently accepted a lower offer. It is interesting, in my opinion, that there was no mention at all about any Wanda Scruby connection in the eBay description. So, to this day, the Mystery of the Wonderful Potential Pewter Wanda Scruby Alice in Wonderland Chess Set continues. (Stay tuned for any further development in this search for the truth. I have Mulder of the aging and defunct TV series The X Files helping me)!

THIS CCI-USA article will focus in on two confirmed Wanda Scruby Chess Sets: Arabian Nights and Roman Grapes. I suspect that her Arabian Nights Chess set was the earlier designed and created chess set. I believe that because the quality of the other Wanda Scruby chess set (namely, Roman Grapes) appeared to be even more finely made and with more detail. (By the way, if there was indeed an Alice in Wonderland Chess set designed and made by Wanda Scruby within The Toy Solider Factory, then the quality seems inferior, in my opinion, to the other two chess sets).

THE CCI-USA NEWS 12

One website, cdn.calisphere.org (and an associated Chess Collection entitled Chess Set Inventory; Munitz Chess Collection) seems to have renamed the Roman Grapes Chess Set, To the Wine Connoisseur Chess Set. In addition, the chess collector names Bacchus as the King. And finally, the year of this chess sets creation is said to be c. 1990.

Exactly when each of Wandas two chess sets was initially created and produced remains uncertain to the author of this article in front of you. However, as indicated above, I have reason to believe that the Arabian Knights set was made B-4 (before) the Roman Grapes set. THE MATERIAL (PEWTER)

Wikipedia defines pewter as follows: Pewter is a malleable metal alloy, traditionally 85

99% tin, with the remainder consisting of copper, antimony, bismuth and sometimes, less commonly today, lead. Silver is also sometimes used. Copper and antimony act as hardeners while lead is common in the lower grades of pewter, which have a bluish tint.

In a later section on the Wikipedia article, it states,

Lead was removed from the composition in 1974, by BS5140, reinforced by the European directive BSEN611 in 1994. and Today, pewter is used in decorative objects, mainly collectible statuettes and figurines, game figures, aircraft and other models, (replica) coins, pendants, plated jewelry and so on...

But what about pewter items made in the USA in the late 1900s and early 2000s?

Are they still made with lead? According to the ehow website, http://www.ehow.com/ about_6464250_pewter-lead-safety.html.........

Many people have concerns about using pewter in their daily lives, whether it is for tableware, such as old-fashioned pewter plates, mugs or drinking steins, or for personal adornment in the form of jewelry. Such concerns are often unfounded, as the only danger in pewter lies in its lead content, and all quality pewter made after the late 1700s in America and Britain is lead-free. When dealing with antique pewter or pewter of unknown origin, however, you should take a few minor safety precautions

Antique pewter is a metal alloy composed of tin and lead. The tin lends the metal its silvery color while the lead gives it additional strength. The alloy is primarily tin, at about a 90 percent concentration or higher.

Modern pewter is still a tin-based alloy, but instead of potentially toxic lead, the tin is mixed with copper and antimony. These two metals strengthen the tin without lending the additional weight and potential toxicity of lead. Modern pewter is also known by the names Britannia pewter, Britannia metal and sometimes simply white metal. Tin still comprises approximately 92 percent of modern pewter, with 7.5 percent antimony and 0.5 percent copper as the standard alloy... GENERAL DISCUSSION, ON WHOLE, OF WANDA SCRUBYS CHESS SETS

Quality, Sizes, and Descriptions Compared or contrasted with pewter metal

chess pieces such as those (not pictured) of deceased sculptor Michael Ricker of Colorado, the chess pieces from the Wanda M. Scrubys California Factory are much lighter, thinner, and (for the most part) smaller. However, the detail of the Scruby sets seem to be (in my opinion) finer than the Ricker sets.

Placing Scrubys Pewter sets near almost any set designed by Italys Benzoni or Vasari, or Mexicos Lowe Bronze (Jungle Carnage), or Englands Danbury Mints Pewter Spanish Armada or Star Wars, the USA Scruby ones come up short (and in more ways than height). The quality, thickness, weight, and even detail do not seem to be as fine.

However, the detail does indeed at least equal, in my opinion, such Danbury Pewter sets as Fantasy of the Crystal. In addition, it certainly surpasses in detail and quality of other pewter sets such as Franklin Mints 25th Anniversary Star Trek set.

If one were to compare Scrubys set to even another set, with an exquisite exterior appearance, Scrubys chess sets also come up short. Example from eBay: LARGE-PEWTER-METAL-MEDIEVAL-TIMES-CRU-SADES-BUSTS-Chess-Men HOWEVER, one of several qualities that the Scruby sets have

13 WANDA SCRUBY CHESS SETS

over such recent pewter imposters is that the interiors of the Scruby sets are not filled with other material. (Sometimes, and possibly often, a plaster-like material is inserted for added weight - and perhaps strength?)

The very bottoms (bases) of the Scruby Roman Grapes larger chess pieces are indeed hollow. However, unlike the externally beautiful eBay chess set mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the Roman Grapes set has no Greek Trojan Horse genes. In other words, the Roman Grapes set is not filled with foreign (sort of speak) material to make it appear that the pieces are solid pewter. The Roman Grapes Chess set pieces are not filled with other material; they are 100% solid pewter.

Perhaps a CCI article (from this same author, who has been typing madly away in front of you) will present itself in a future CCI issue to actually show such comparisons/contrasts between the Scruby Sets and the other sets as mentioned above. But for now, let us focus on the Scruby sets.

THE WANDA SCRUBY CHESS SETS There are at least two chess sets designed by

Wanda Scruby and made/produced by Soldier Factory Productions of Atascadero, California, USA: 1.) Arabian Nights. 2.) Roman Grapes. A possible third set (with Alice in Wonderland as its theme), is alleged to also have been designed by Wanda Scruby. However, that last mentioned set has only one possible originating informational source. That informational source is related to a sale a couple of years ago and seems to stem from a January 2013 online auction. ARABIAN NIGHTS CHESS SET

Observation: The bottom (bases) of all the chess pieces (except the pawns) are hollow.

Advertisement on the box indicates Handcast Solid Pewter Chess Set; Designed by Wanda Scruby Produced by the Soldier Factory; Atascadero, California SEE PICTURES

THE CCI-USA NEWS 14

White/Silver King (Sorcerer/Genie, arms crossed; standing atop a Magic Lamp) 3 3/8 tall

Queen (Sultry Dancer?). 2 5/8 tall

White/Silver Bishop (Magician? Holding a Crystal Ball) 3 tall. Pawn (Arabian Soldier). 2 3/8 tall

White/Silver Knight (Highly Decorated Stallion) 2 tall. Rook (Taj Mahal Like Structure) 2 1/8 tall

Dark/Bronze King (Evil-appearing Sorcerer/skull necklace & staff/skull atop) 3 tall. Queen (Evil-appearing

Sorceress/skull necklace & holding vulture). 3 tall

Dark/Bronze Bishop (Muscular, Barbarian/Soldier clad in armor & with large axe) 2 7/8 tall. Pawn (Evil-appearing,

Clad Simian Soldier, holding crude club). 1 3/8 tall

Dark/Bronze Knight (Heavily-Scaled, 2 1/8 Long, Dragon) 2 tall. Rook (Columned Structure with skulls at base.

Shorter than the pawn) 1 7/8 tall

15 WANDA SCRUBY CHESS SETS

ROMAN GRAPES CHESS SET (Handcrafted Roman Grapes Deluxe Solid Pewter Chess Set by Wanda Scruby; 3 King per an eBay Ad)

As far as can be determined, there are no hollow aspects/features to any of the chess pieces, including bases. All of the bases are circular and highly adorned with grapes, grape clusters, grape

leaves, and vines. With the exception of color, the opposing sides are identical with respect to the piece sizes, designations and descriptions. The two colors are Silver and Bronze.

King (Roman-appearing Godlike Figure; Bacchus?; crowned with a thin, fig-like, leafy vine; standing - holding a cluster of grapes in one uplifted hand, and a goblet in the

other hand either finishing a sip or mouthful or about to drink). 3 tall.

Queen (Roman-appearing Goddess Figure crowned with a thin, grape-like vine; standing holding a staff of

grapevine extending down to the floor (in one hand) and a large urn in the other hand, about to pour (or just finishing

pouring) a liquid. 2 7/8 tall

Knight (Horse: A Mare. Yes I looked!) She has highly decorated ribbons of grapevines and grapes,

including a grape-like leaf as part of a saddle). 2 tall

Bishop (Male Priest; an adorning set of rosary beads displayed at the front of his robe; with one out-held open hand, and a tree bough stick in the other hand). 2 tall

THE CCI-USA NEWS 16

Rook (A Trio of Bottles of Wine, sitting within a large cluster of grapes and grape leaves). 2 tall

Pawn (A small, low lying yet highly decorated plant; it has a thick stem, arising from the earth, with two large clusters of

grapes and at least three attached, large grape leaves) 1 7/8 tall

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND SUMMARY Most of the information acquired for this

article was via the Internet and the websites previously mentioned. In addition, two informational documents, which accompanied my own Arabian Nights Chess Set, helped with confirming some of the material on the Internet. SEE PICTURES BELOW LEFT & RIGHT.

In summary, I believe that many chess collectors may well be missing and may not be appreciating the fine artwork and skill needed to create such two exceedingly nice pewter chess sets. They may not be quite up there or up to snuff with other pewter chess sets, such as some of those from the British Danbury Mint or those made in the Spirit of Vasari or Benzoni. However, the two Wanda Scruby Chess Sets previously mentioned can hold their own and even surpass - when compared with many of the other unnamed pewter chess set designers and manufacturers.

If you as collector of chess sets and/or pewter should ever come across one of Wanda Scrubys Chess Sets, may I advise you to consider incorporating them into your own collection. I dont think you will be disappointed. However, some further advise may be warranted. After acquiring one or both of the Scruby Chess Sets, you may be spending a night with an Arabian (male or female) Suitor, drinking wine from a pewter goblet. In such a situation, may I suggest you sip slowly and savor The Game!

2015, John A. Mazzucco

ADULT LEISURE PRODUCTS CORPORATION [ALPSCO] Locust Valley NY 11560

The following information is taken from the book: CHESS SETS OF THE UNITED STATES: Ready for Some Chess Tenite? by CCI member Duncan Pohl. It is available on Amazon.com

I have been unable to find much information regarding this company. Judging from its ads, copyright, and patent dates, it must have existed from at least the early 1960s into the mid to late 1970s. Based on that same infor-mation, its specialty seems to have been unique, themed, figural chess sets. It appears the companys choice of material was Stone and Resin. The one exception was a generic [plastic] chess set it also sold, along with nearly every other American chess company at one time or another. Ad for ALPSCO Chess Sets, Chess

Life, November 1966, back page

Egyptian, 1963, 4 1/2 King Stone and Resin

Board has museum scarab motif

Cream & Black, also available in Lapis Lazuli Blue &

Bone White glaze

Reproduced from antiquities in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

THE CCI-USA NEWS 18

African, 1963, 4 1/8 King Stone and Resin

Board has African motif

Ivory & Mahogany glaze

Cigar Store Indian, Stone and Resin, From Authentic Early

American Folk Art

Looking Glass, 1966, from Alice in Wonderland, 4 King

Stone and Resin

Ruby & Ivory White glaze

Pre-Columbian, 1963 4 7/8 King, Stone and Resin

Board has MAI Museums motif

White & Green Jade glaze,

Reproduced from antiquities in the Museum of American Indian, NY

19 ADULT LEISURE PRODUCTS

Staunton, 3 King

White & Black, Silver & Gold, Plastic, also came in

antique-finished Estone (Alpscos name for you guessed it a

stone and resin synthetic material)

This is a classic example of a generic Staunton plastic set.

Displayed to the right, and on the next page, are reproductions of a patent taken out by ALPSCO in 1976 for a design of Beginner Chess pieces. Even though the patent is on record, I have not found any evidence the set was ever actually produced. If it was produced, it must surely be rare I have yet to see one either in person or in picture.

THE CCI-USA NEWS 20

The design consisted of cutouts in a plastic plate that were designed to fit around the base of the pieces. As stated in the patent Abstract, the plate or indicia as it is referred to in the Abstract was to include the name of the piece and a diagram of how it was permitted to move. It was also intended to show the symbol for the piece and its numerical value in chess notation. The cutouts could be removed when they were no longer needed.

CCI USA NEWS

Floyd Sarisohn, Publisher Duncan Pohl, Editor Frank Camaratta, Co-Editor PO Box 166 1391 Parkview Dr fmcamaratta@mindspring.com Commack NY 11725 Woodland CA 95776 Phone: 631.543.1330 Phone: 530.383.5750 Fax: 631.543.7901 duncanpohl@sbcglobal.net lichess@aol.com

Do you have a picture you would like to see on the cover of the Newsletter? If so, please send a high resolution, uncropped, clear photograph to duncanpohl@gmail.com. First priority will be given to pictures that accompany an article submitted for publication and used within that particular issue. Every effort will be made to follow the principle of first come, first served, but the final decision will also depend on quality, subject matter, and other publication requirements that ultimately may dictate what can best be used.

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