Chess Collectors International

USA Edition Volume 2019 Issue 1

IN THIS ISSUE
Small is Good

Kannauj and Patna: About the Birthplace of Caturanga

Chess and Chessmen The First 1500 Years

Floyd and Bernice Sarisohn: The KING and QUEEN of CCI-USA

 Small Is Good
By John A. Mazzucco

While it would be surprising if chess sets and chess-related some of the questions that come
a CCI-USA (or the International miniatures may well be small, but to my own miniaturized brain
CCI issue for that matter) did not the cost – as we shall see – is not (and may, in fact, be irrelevant)!
already have a remote-in-time necessarily small. One of the main reasons, in
article about small chess sets, I So, let us begin, shall we? my opinion, why it may be wise to
think it may be about time to do a Does the term “downsizing” collect small chess sets is the
little focusing on the theme of also include specializing in availability (or unavailability) of
Miniature Chess Sets. collecting miniature chess sets? If space – especially if they are on
This is no time for small talk so, then how would we define display.
about why the topic should not be “Miniature”? Would we also For this discussion, not all of the
repeated. It is difficult enough for include small chess figurines (with above questions – some seemingly
the editor (Duncan Pohl) to find a game of chess already in rhetorical – will be answered. At least,
people to write articles as it is. progress and displayed on the however, let us leave some of
(However as you will note, this chess board between two figures those for mental stimulation.
particular CCI-USA issue is large engrossed in a game of chess)? (Some of you, apparently – and
on a great article written by Tom Do we narrow it down further by for some reason – do not play
Gallegos). material used in the making of the chess. But that could be a topic
Regardless, if you are chess pieces and the associated for another article.). Perhaps the
displeased by such a potential board and possible figures? Does best manner, in which to proceed,
repeat of an article on the theme the set have to be one with which would be to just start with Picture
of miniature chess sets (or you are one can actually play – albeit with #1 and a description and mini
tired of seeing this author write), an additional set of tweezers or discussion of its reported history.
then all you have to do is to write the like? Who might be most The following pictures of the
something decent or maybe an likely to collect miniature chess chess sets and related pictures
eye-catching indecent to fill the sets and related items? These are items are all within my dwindling
space! But remember, chess and related chess
it needs to be chess item collection.
related! Picture #1 (left)
As one whose shows a bone chess set
attention seems to be (of at least vintage age)
easily diverted, and within a walnut with a
one who seems to hinged section that
digress at the drop of a opens up. (That
hat – or a glass pawn section, methinks, is a
on a stone floor, why good idea). Some of
should I not write a you may have seen this
long article on a small arrangement and chess
item? Answer: I have set before. However,
writer’s cramp, so it is not easy to come
please allow me to by. That is, bone
write a short article chess pieces within a
here on a chess matter walnut are not too
of no small importance. frequently seen in
Before we begin, auctions or websites –
perhaps I should men- and exceedingly
tion just one more seldom at typical yard
thing: The following sales. An Estate sale
3 Small Is Good

at a high-end home not come with a

might be one place to chessboard. One
find such a set and might ask the
“case”. question: Was this
This walnut chess chess set shipped
set, with a 1 3/16” tall overseas? Apparently
King and ½” tall so, since I have it in
pawn, has an inter- my possession. But if
esting provenance if shipped, are shipping
we are to believe the Flea costs as much (or as
Market seller. For little) as the set itself?
some reason, I am re- Deep questions, out
minded of the saying, of the blue. I have no
“Would you buy a idea. I am just
used car from this pleased as punch to
particular car dealer?” have this really tiny
Reportedly, the set set in my small little
was once owned by a hands.
‘T. E. Mercer’. If I also come with a dog theme as Items from China,
have the story straight, and if I am well as a cat theme. I hope to as I am told, often arrive in huge
to believe the Flea Market seller, acquire such a set with two felines shipping vessels which hold many
Mercer used to own the Football engaged in a symbolic game of cat large metal shipping containers.
team, The Dallas Cowboys. His and mouse over the chessboard. Just how would or could such an
great-grandfather was a boot- (Sometimes, a “good buy” can be item be tracked and kept safe
legger in Texas. The family ran a had). from Vienna mice? Easy, since I
liquor business. Mercer’s folks Picture #3 (below) shows a doubt if such ships stop in
came to Dallas in about 1891. So chess set made in China. It did Europe on their way to the USA.
there you have it: A According to the
story in a nutshell (if stamp beneath the
we are to believe the velvet-like case, this
flea market seller). set was made in
Next, we have a China. Within the
Vienna (Austria) case lies a complete,
Bronze of two foxes 32 chess piece (with
engaged in a game of no duplicate queens)
chess on a picnic plastic chess set. And
table – with a cup of yes, it is likely one of
(per-haps) freshly ‘mass production’ –
brewed coff(eek) heaven forbid! – in
(Picture #2, above miniature). The de-
center). The king is sign is Staunton-like,
5/8” tall and pawns with a King 5/8“ tall.
are 1/8” tall. Beware Is that small enough
of foxy moves! Vien- for you, dear reader?
na Bronzes usually do No? Well then please
not come cheap. In continue reading. In
good condition, they this case, however, a
usually garner over set of tweezers and a
$300-$400. The set of reading glasses
chess-playing animals might come in handy.
CCI-USA 4

In Picture #4 displays two, vintage

(right), we have a age(?), painted peter
relatively commonly men. The clothing
seen miniature chess appears to be that of
set. I am fairly sure the 1700 or 1800’s.
you have come (Historians and gar-
across such sets in ments – for stage –
novelty shops and designers, help me
of course, cyber out here)! Between
venues such as eBay the two colorful
and Doll House gentlemen, a table is
Accessory website. situated with an
The chess pieces are exceedingly small
metal. The King is chess set atop. It is
7/16” tall, while the a game in progress.
pawn is about ½” in The king is 3/16”
height. tall, and the pawn is
Despite its faults, 1/8” tall. The
I would call the set (c’est moi) first CCI Convention knight chess pieces
“cute”. The board is about 1 in Philadelphia in 2002 for the appear to be, well… knights!
5/8” on a side. Each square is price of $200. [My dear wife was That is, they have the appearances
approximately 1/8” on a side. It manning (womanning) my own of horsies! Unfortunately, they
would be suitable for a dollhouse Chess Fair table and did not see are very small. I can hardly see
of a “lower income” collector (or the transaction take place at a them, let alone any other chess
an eclectic chess collector). table across the very large piece! It seems to me (and
However a white bone “Swiss” conference room. Shhh! Mums perhaps you, if you look very
chess set on a bone or ivory chess the word, ok]? closely), that both of the
table (not seen in this article) And finally, we have Picture gentlemen might be having a
would likely grace the dollhouse #6 (top right, next page), which delightful afternoon cup of
of one of an “elite” chess
collector, n’est ce pas?
Picture #5 (right) is a chess
set of likely vintage age from (dare
I say it?) the Great Land of Great
Britain. At least, that is what I
fathom. A wildly educated guess
to be sure. You decide! It is a
pegged chess set of the usual
(thank goodness!) 32 chess pieces
– all bone. The well-turned King
is 15/16” (not including the
pegged bottom) in height. The
pawn, minus the peg, is a mere
3/8” tall. The collapsible wooden
boxboard has a faded green, felt
interior lining. It is 4 11/16” for
each side. It is in very good
condition. Each square is about
7/16” on a side. As I recall, it
was purchased at the writer’s
5 Small Is Good

Boston tea. Regardless, can

anyone also help me with the
origin of this chess item?
England? The USA?
This article might pose a
question. “So what is the smallest
chess set in the world?” While I
thought that I had once seen a set
so small that one needed a
microscope to see even the
chessboard, I am at a small loss to
finding the set or informational
source. Perhaps the set itself has
been lost due to its miniscule size
– or has been banished to the
Alice-in-Wonderland of Quantum
Theory and its associated physics.
A recent search on the web
indicates that the world’s smallest
chess can be found at the Esty Might there be an interesting
website, namely, https://www.et CCI – USA NEWS
article with a certain theme that
sy.com/listing/239327024/micro- just might perk some of you up? Duncan Pohl, Editor
1391 Parkview Dr
handcarved – chess – set – with - If so, is it hidden in the deep Woodland CA
graphite. The chessboard is recesses of this once fertile mind? Phone: 530.383.5750
reportedly slightly more than ¼” duncanpohl@sbcglobal.net
Only time will tell!
wide and ¼” long. The king is So, anyway, to reiterate, one of CCI-USA NEWS is made possible thanks
0.12 “ (3 mm) tall. The picture to the volunteer work of all persons involved.
the main reasons, in my opinion, We are not responsible for contents of
shows the set sitting on top of an why it may be wise to collect articles, the performance of advertisers, the
orange. (Orange you glad you do not small chess sets is the issue of delivery or quality of their services or
products, or the legality of any particular
have to play G.M. Magnus Carlsen availability of space – especially if program or publication.
with that set)? they are on display. It is, at least, EDITORIAL COMMENTS AND POLICY
I believe that it has been said unlikely that a non-collecting The future and quality of this publication
by one reputable CCI member (at spouse could or would complain depends on your contributions. Please send
comments, notes, reports, articles, photos,
least here in the USA – dare I about the small amount of space stories, etc., to the Editor. Electronic form
mention his name? Nah, it just they may take up. Think about it. would be best. We would like to take this
might embarrass him to opportunity to thank all who contributed to
In the meantime, I myself am this issue.
acknowledge that he even knows thinking of another benefit. If Issues are scheduled for February, June,
me… right Mr. Gallegos?) that I such miniaturized or small chess and October. Submission deadlines are:
Issue: Deadline
seem to come up with some interesting sets were all that I collect, then February: January 31st
and out-of-the-blue topics on which to might I be able to fit my entire June: May 31st
write. If that is indeed the case, October: September 30th
(dwindling in size – if not
then I am sad to say that I also numbers) collection in a rather TO JOIN CCI
believe that this may well be one Dues are $50.00 per person, per
tight-fitting place? Can I, indeed, calendar year. To become a member, send
of my last contributions. I seem “take it with me” when my time your name and address along with a check
to be running out of ideas. Yes, I comes. I would like to slow time payable to:
Chess Collectors International (CCI)
seem to be on the short side of down a tad. Now, where’s my c/o Bill Fordney
imagination these days. Time is miniature chess clock? I have forgotten 1917 Weisgerber Way
dwindling down and my thoughts York PA 17404
to tap it or to give it a good smashing!
on chess sets and items are Chess Collectors International is a tax-
shrinking by the minute. John Mazzucco, Vermont © 2019 exempt corporation in the U.S.A.
 KANNAUJ and PATNA:
About the Birthplace of Caturanga
By Manfred A. J. Eder
CCI Founding Member and FSG President

In particular for our members

and friends who are not, or but
little, familiar with chess-historic
literature only available in
German, I should like to
introduce our project by some
quotes from Renate Syed’s
English abstract of her book 1
Kanauj 2 , die Maukharis und das
Caturanga – Der Ursprung des
Schachspiels und sein Weg von Indien
nach Persien (English translation:
Kanauj, the Maukharis and the
Caturanga – The Origin of Chess and
its Way from India to Persia).
QUOTE: ‘According to several
Persian and Arabic sources it was an Government Archaeological Museum in Kannauj – Under Reconstruction in 2016 Photo: JSM
Indian king who conveyed the game of Kanauj, around 630/640 Caturanga confined to terracotta statuettes’
chess to his contemporary Khusrau was played on a board of 64 squares, (Rajendran 2007) – meaning: This
Anushirvan (531-579) the Sasanian the ashtapada. Harsha of the was a peaceful time when wars
king in Ktesiphon. In a Middle Pushyabhuti dynasty had conquered only took place with terracotta
Persian source, the Wizarishn i Kanauj after the death of the last figures, on the Ashtabada.
Catrang (dated in the late 6th or early Maukhari king Grahavarman in 606.’ * Irving Finkel (BM) summar-
7th century), this Indian king is called
‘In Kanauj as well as in izes Syed’s interpretation of
Devasharman, while Arabic historians
surrounding cities, numerous small Caturanga as having originally
of the 8th and 9th centuries call him
terracotta figures of armed warriors, been ‘an elaborate teaching
Shaharam or Sharahan, and Firdousi
horses, elephants and chariots were device, using little warrior-like
in his Shahname (late 10th century),
found which archaeologists date to the figures on a miniature battlefield
refers to him as the ‘Ray of Qanuj’, the
time from the fourth or fifth century AD that instructed young warriors to
‘Raja (king) of Kanauj’.
onwards. Regarding their representation be in the art of warfare’.
All these references point to the king and their size, which is between five and * In agreement with this, I
Sharvavarman of the Maukhari dynas- fifteen cm, they could be chess figures. suggest to determinate the
ty, who ruled in Kanauj from 560/65 The book seeks to demonstrate the figurines picked from a great
to 585 as the most powerful ruler during connection of the city of Kanauj with the choice of (toy?) terracottas to
the 6th century in Northern India. game of chess and furthermore, it form an army for sandpit
From the work called Harsha- presents the said terracottas, the exercises in a didactic model to be
carita (The Life of [king] Harsha), meaning and function of which are Proto-Chessmen.
written by the poet Bana around unclear, and discusses their possible use
630/640, we learn that at the court of as chessmen.’ UNQUOTE The Background for Our Project
king Harsha, who also ruled in ‘We Must Find the Gaming
Three Supplementary Remarks: Pieces of Caturanga’:
1 Published in 2001 by FSG [Foerderkreis Schach- * Bana mentions in his Harsha- Its beginning goes back to
Geschichtsforschung e. V., i.e. Charity Trust Chess- carita, that under the reign of November 1997, when FSG
Historic Research]
2 Historic name: Kanyakuja; Kannauj = Harsha ‘Fights among kings were decided to undertake and support
contemporary spelling, earlier spelling = Kanauj research with the aim to find out:
7 Kannauj and Patna

* Which kind of Kannauj (see map, left, and

Gaming Pieces had been picture, bottom center), as
used for the Game of one of the most
Caturanga at the stage of important but under-
its invention, i.e. at the rated locations of Indian
turn from strategical and history after the Gupta
tactical maneuvers of a period!
didactic model in Indian All of a sudden, two
army schools into a pieces of information
means for entertainment from quite different
on a planogram, the 64 sources pointed to an
square board and: additional direction for
* Where and when? our research initiative,
Guided by the both focusing on –
historical findings of Patna, ancient Pataliputra
Renate Syed, printed in in Bihar!
several earlier publi- First: The 2006 travel
cations and in her book guide Indien – Der Norden
a major step ahead could by Nelles Verlag,
be accomplished by local Germany, mentioned
investigations during a under ‘Patna’ (page 130)
journey of an FSG Dele- expressively, that the
gation in February/ museum there is holding
March 2007, through an excellent collection of
five cities along the terracottas (and bronze
Ganges Valley with figures) from the
KANNAUJ on focus, Maurya and Gupta
collecting information Dynasties – creating
from six museums some hope that among
which seemed to hold them one or the other
archaeological finds artifact could possibly
from time and place, represent a Caturanga
when and where piece, perhaps even
Caturanga as a Game – from the finds of one or
the game of Chess – Above: Map of Kannauj showing the site of excavation mounds the other archaeologist
could have been born. who described them in
A full report about Below: View of one of the excavation sites. Photo MAJE, 2007
their excavation reports!
this mission was An important remark
presented at the 19th on top of that: One of
International Conference on the family wings of the
South Asian Archaeology in Maukhari Dynasty is
July 2007 in Ravenna, said to have had their
published in Proceedings – roots in Patna prior to
Volume II by BAR’s Kannauj!
International Series 2133 Second: A more or
(2010 – pages 69-84). less forgotten, very short
It included a strong but surprisingly valuable
plea for official archae- article was rediscovered
ological excavations at the one fine day in the
ex-residential mounds in middle of 2009, when I
CCI-USA 8

collected material for my paper elephants, a large majority of

Proto-Chess: No! – Proto-Chessmen: which show figures with riders,
Yes!, presented first in Catania at mostly on pedestal (see examples,
the Italian-French Congress of Chess left). He underlines the
Collectors International, followed in development that a large number
2010 as Frontier Lecture No. 46 of horse figures are with a rider,
under the title Origin of Chess – in many cases shown as a warrior!
New Considerations and Conclusions * Altekar (1959), when com-
at the University of menting on the elephant from
Calicut/Kerala, as well as in 2014 Patna (Fig 3 in Syed), reports
in New Jersey for CCI and 2016 about excavations in Kumrahar (a
in Nuremberg for BGS3. village south of Patna) with finds
An early member of Chess of 97 terracotta animals, the
Collectors International, Henry J. Not yet Chess – but Proto-Chessmen majority being solid.
Greenberg, from New York, * Kala (1950, page 49), states
Above: Terracotta Elephant with Rider
participating at the CCI Congress (under helmet) that Kausambi (west of
in New York in 1990, was sure Below: Terracotta Horse with (broken) Rider Allahabad) yielded (sling balls
that PATNA (Pataliputra) was the and) ‘miniature objects used in
– both found in Kannauj.
place (or area) where Chess, Chess and other indoor games’.
Caturanga as a Wargame, originated. We are in contact again with
He published his conviction as Dr. Rakesh Tewari, responsible in
early as June 1986 in Chess Life. 2007 for the Directorate of U.P.
Furthermore, there was a third Archaeology in Lucknow, who
element of major importance: arranged a meeting with seven
Gaya and Bodhgaya, some 75 miles Indian archaeologists (out of
south of Patna presents us with twelve participating at the 19th
the famous reliefs on the Stupa, ICSAA) in Ravenna to discuss our
featuring the perhaps earliest case. Following an intermezzo in
known representation of an 8 x 8 Delhi, he returned to Lucknow,
gaming planogram in India, from where we hope guidance for
providing the battlefield for two our renewed attempts regarding
armies confronting each other excavations and conference in
with King and Advisor, Below: Part of the Mishra Collection Kannauj.
Elephants, Horse Riders, Chariots Gupta-Maukhari Period, ca. 6th Century.
and eight Foot Soldiers.
To quote three authors
mentioned by Syed:
* Prakash (1985), when com-
menting on a horse rider equipped
as a warrior, reports of other
terracotta finds from Bhitari (near
Ghazipur, 70 km northwest of
Varanasi), of which 74 represent
‘men’ and 65 ‘animals’, dating
from the 4th century AD; and
from Ahicchattra (80 km north
of Kannauj), representing 17

3BGS – Board Games Studies – formerly: Board

Games in Acadamia.
9 Kannauj and Patna

The most promising reports earlier) provided the rational to Kannauj in 2013 was moved into
about the status and finalization involve the DAI = Deutsche a new building which opened its
of the complete renovation of the Archäologische Institut in Berlin doors in January 2014. But due to
Government Archaeological Museum in and its branch “Kommission für a combination of unlucky
Kannauj came late in 2016 from Archäologie Außereuropäischer circumstances it had to be closed
our Danish friend Jacob Schmidt- Kulturen“ in Bonn, as well as down for improvements and
Madsen, to whom we owe, not Italian Scientists like Professor expansion in March 2016, and: the
only for full information, but also Maurizio Tosi and Professor official inauguration is still ahead
for a series of photographs Antonio Panaino both University to take place. This is where the
granted to be taken by the of Bologna. And we received two idea came into the picture, to
Museum’s Curator, Deepak votes from INDIA: by R.S. Fonia, connect this event with an Inter-
Kumar. These photographs Director Exploration/Excavation national Congress on the Origin
include parts of the Mishra of the Archaeological Survey of and History of Chess, as it is now
Collection of locally found India in New Delhi in July 2008, under discussion and negotiation.
terracottas – which are of the mediated by Rakesh Tewari, and a Our FSG Member Dr. Leander
greatest interest to us: They could strong voice of support by A. Feiler, experienced in guiding
have been used for Caturanga and so be Professor J.N. Pandey, Ancient in India for more than 60 years,
examples of Proto-Chessmen! History, Culture & Archaeology, would be willing to organize
Deepak Kumar completed Jacob’s University of Allahabad, who all- journey and program.
material with an update in August of-a-sudden sent us an E-Mail: Would you be interested in
2018 and with the promise to “Well, I agree with your project.” participating? Your response –
signal news as soon as possible. Jacob Schmidt-Madsen made for the moment – would be taken
us hopeful when he reported as a statement of “serious
Excavations!
from the spot that ASI interest” but not as a
Very little archaeological finds (Archaeological Survey of India) commitment. We think our
are available and reliably “has all the facilities ready to start suggested timing, i.e. November
documented – the reports by digging”. But this was back in 2019, should provide sufficiently
Prakash, Altekar and Kala October 2016 – and therefore time to “Make Things Happen”!
mentioned are scarce examples. needs a new initiative!
From Kannauj directly we know Want to learn more? Contact us via:
of two official excavation- The (new) Museum Dr. Leander A. Feiler
campaigns: one in 1955 and a Jacob continued that the old Member FSG Project Committee
second between 1972-1975. G.K. Archaeological Museum of Email: leanderfeiler@t-online.de
Agnihotri´s, ex-Secretary Archae-
The New Government Archaeological Museum in Kannauj India
ological Museum Kannauj, Reconstruction almost completed. Photo by Deepak Kumar, Curator, August 2018
summary published in 1975, is the
best we found. This was why we
launched our first official plea4 to
initiate new excavations in
Kannauj addressed to INDIA in
2007 in Ravenna.
Our project We must find the
Gaming-Pieces – of Caturanga
(actually started already 10 years

4 Eder, M.A.J., Early Terracotta-Figures from Kanauj:

Chessmen? – CHAPTER II: Half an Answer and
more Questions”, in The Proceedings of the 19th
International Conference of the European
Association of South Asian Archaeologists, July 2-
6th, 2007 in Ravenna/Italy – see BAR´s International
Series 2133 (2010)
The following article is an excerpt from the Monograph:

Chess and Chessmen the First 1500 Years

by Jess Lambujon

The astounding diversity of the resources could not afford the minimize confusion among the
designs and the myriad themes expensive chessmen favored by players. This effort was greatly
portrayed in the chessmen the nobles and by the members of aided by the invention of the lathe
produced around the globe reflect the upper class. And so non- in the 18th century that enable the
the attributes of the culture that representational chess sets mostly production at a faster pace, of
produced them. The chessmen made of inexpensive materials chess sets that more distinctive
that were introduced to the were made to meet the growing features, such as the English
Iberian Peninsula by the Moors demands of the middle class. Barleycorn and the French Regency
(Muslims who crossed the This resulted in the production of sets, two of the most popular sets
Mediterranean Sea from North chess sets of varying quality that from the 18th to the 19th century.
Africa to Spain), in the 10th also had non-distinctive chessmen The lathe also enabled the
century were of the abstract which often-times caused craftsmen to make highly
Islamic design in conformity with confusion among the chess ornamental chess sets that were
the tenets of Islam which players. To remedy this problem, intended more for display rather
discouraged the carving of images conventional chess sets with more than for play
and figures. With the increasing easily identifiable chess pieces
popularity of chess in Christian were made to prevent or at least Below: A circa 1840 large Rajasthand
polychrome ivory King and Queen. 6” King.
Europe in the
following centuries,
the artisans were
now freed from the
Islamic religious con-
straints and began to
make representation-
al chessmen, superb
examples of which
are the 11th century
Charlemagne and the
12th century Lewis
chessmen. In these
two earliest Euro-
pean representation-
al chessmen, the
queen, the real life
consort to the king,
had replaced the
vizier. In the late
medieval / early
Renaissance period,
chess became also
popular among the
members of the
European middle
class who with their
limited financial
11 Chess First 1500 Years

Starting in the 18th century, of the various materials to work weighted to avoid tipping over
carving centers were established with, the invention of the lathe, during the game and the design of
in Berhampur, Rajasthan and the growing demands in Europe the chess set itself combined
Vizagapatam in India, Canton in for chess sets that portray fresh elegance with functionality.
China, Dieppe in France, and different themes drawn from The chess sets shown here
Augsburg in Germany, and mythology to history, ornamental were selected mainly to illustrate
Kholmogoroy in Russia. Within and representational chess sets of the fact that chess is a universal
some of these countries, exceptional quality were once game and that chess sets were and
distinctive styles of carving were again produced by mater are still made from all over the
developed such as those in Lyon craftsmen. However, the advent world, from southeasternmost
and the School of Paris, of international chess tourna- New Zealand to northwest-
Geislingen in Germany and in the ments and matches in the 19th ternmost Ireland and from the
various workshops in London. In century reinforced the need for earliest and northernmost bone
England, ceramic chess sets were chess sets of ‘universal’ design and ivory carving center in Khol-
made by several manufacturers that would satisfy the need of the mogory, Russia to the largest and
the most famous of which was players from many nations who southernmost city of Punta
Wedgwood. Likewise in Ger- participated in these events. The Arenas, Chile. Several chess sets
many, excellent porcelain chess chess set designed by Nathaniel were chosen also to com-
sets were and are still made to this Cook in 1849, was endorsed by memorate important historical
day by Meissen and other high Howard Staunton, the strongest events.
quality porcelain manufacturers. chess player in the 1840s and
In addition to the excellent ivory made by the turners and carvers Bottom Left: A Bone Chess Piece, Probably A
chess sets carved in Florence, the of John Jacques and Son, a Knight, 8th/9th C., Central Asia: Height: 3.4 cm
Width: 2.5 cm. Similar In Material, Size And
Venetian glass chess sets are London sports and games Design To The Figure Shown Bottom Right.
likewise popular and collectible manufacturer, became the
Directly Below: A Single Find Bone Knight,
although there are not that many preferred chess set for use in Circa 700 AD Discovered In 1976 In The
antique class chess sets available those tournaments. The ebony Afrasiab, Samarkand Archeological Site.
to collectors. With the availability and boxwood chessmen were State Museum Of Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
CCI-USA 12

Above: A Scandinavian-Carved Above: A Scaninavian-Carved Walrus

Walrus Ivory Knight of the Lewis Ivory Lewis Knight. 12th C (1135 –
Chessmen Type, c. 1300. 1170) The British Museum
Height: 5.7 cm. Width: 2.5 cm

Left: A Scandinavian-Carved Walrus

Ivory Knight of the Lewis Chessmen
Below: Scandinanvian-Carved Walrus Type, c. 1300. Height: 5.7 cm.
Ivory Lewis Chessmen. Width: 2.5 cm
12th C (1135 – 1170)
The British Museum
13 Chess First 1500 Years

The Lewis Chessmen, which

have been described as ‘the
outstanding ancient chessmen of
the world’, were carved from
walrus ivory in the 12th century,
between 1135 and 1170 in
Trondheim, the Medieval Period
capital of Norway. The 67 chess-
men as a group ranked No. 5 in
the list of British archeological
finds selected by experts at the
British Museum for the 2003 BBC
Television documentary Our Top
Ten Treasures. They were among Above and Below: Scandinavian-Carved Walrus Ivory Lewis Chessmen.
12th C. (1135-1170). The British Museum
the hoard that included 78
chessmen, 14 game pieces
(tablemen) and one belt buckle.
The 78 chessmen consisted of 8
Kings, 8 Queens, 16 Bishops, 15
Knights, 12 Rooks and 19 Pawns
which are in the shape of
pyramidal obelisks and tomb-
stones and vary in size from 3.5 to
5.8 cm. The figural major chess
pieces vary in height from 7 to
10.2 cm. They lack one Knight,
four Rooks and 45 Pawns in order
to make 4 complete chess sets.
The entire hoard was discovered
Below: Three Knights From Three Different Eras And Cultures: The Knight On Top Is From
in 1831 inside a stone chamber The 8th/9th C. Central Asia, The Knight On The Left Is C. 1300 From Scandinavia And The
below the surface of a sandbank Knight On The Right Is From Germany, 1715-1719. Their Moves Are Exactly The Same
on the shore of Uig Bay on the From The Beginning Of Chess In The 2nd Half Of The 6th C. To The Present Time And It Is
Isle of Lewis, which is in the The Oldest Universally Recognizable Game Piece Symbol As Well.
Outer Hebrides in Scotland.
During this period in the 12th
century, the Outer Hebrides along
with the major groups of Scottish
islands were ruled by Norway.
Toward the end of the 8th C, the
British Isles were frequently
raided by the Vikings from
Scandinavia and the raiders of the
Western Isles of Scotland
including the Isle of Lewis came
from Norway. In 1152 the
archbishopric in Nidaros
(Tronheim) was given authority
over all the churches in the
Scottish Isles.
CCI-USA 14

In the Journal of Medieval

Archeology, Vol 53, 2009 (page 155
to page 204), David Caldwell,
Mark Hall and Caroline Wilken-
son came to the conclusion that
the 67 Lewis chessmen at the
British Museum and the 11
chessmen including one Knight
chess pies at the National
Museums Scotland, were carved
in Trondheim, Norway in one
workshop. Based on facial
analysis, the authors also
concluded that the chessmen were
carved by five craftsmen of
differing abilities resulting in the
variations in the sizes and in the
quality of the finished product. Above: A 9th-12th Century Ivory King Above: A 9th-11th C Ivory Knight.
(or Queen). Height: 2.4” Persia Height: 1.25”. Persia.
One of the authors, Caroline
Wilkinson, is a forensic
anthropologist who did the Below: Three 9th-12th C. Ivory Chess Pieces, Persia. The Pawns On The Sides Are Tent-
analysis of the facial morphology Shaped. Height: 1.25”. The Height Of The King (Or Queen) In The Center Is 2”
and proportions (i.e. mouths,
noses and eyes). Michael Taylor
in his book The Lewis Chessmen
(British Museum Press, 1978)
wrote that the bishop’s mitre was
not worn with the points to the
front and back like the Lewis
bishops, until the end towards the
end of the 12th C, and differing
from the previous fashion of
wearing the mitre with the points
to the sides. And so, ‘Stylistically
they should be placed between
about 1135 and 1170 and the
fashion of the mitre suggests a Below: A 10th-12th C. Rock Crystal Pawn With Six Incised Arched Panels On The Body, Two
date no earlier than 1150.” The Incised Lines Around The Entire Circumference Near The Base And With A Knob On Top,
Egypt. Height: 1.5”.
Lewis knights have kite-shaped
shields with geometric blazons
out of which idea, heraldry was to
develop. Other than the 14 Lewis
knights in the British Museum
and one knight in the National
Museums Scotland, there are only
two knights of the Lewis type, the
other one which is at the Bargello,
Florence and it is dated to the 12th
century.
15 Chess First 1500 Years

Right: The 9th-12th C. King (Or Queen) On The

Left Is Made Of Terracotta, Height: 2”.
The 9th-12th C. Rook On The Right Is
Made Of Ivory. Height: 1.8”. Persia.

Right: Two 9th-12th C. Chess Pieces.

The King (or Queen) Is Made Of Alabaster
With Eight Drilled Holes Which Probably
Had Inclusions Of Semi-Precious Stones.
Height: 1.5”. The One-Inch Tall Pawn On
The Right Is Made Of Agate With Deeply
Incised Ovoid Decorations Around And
Near Its Base. Egypt (Persia?)

Bottom Left: A 12-14th C. Marvered Glass

Pawn With Repetitive Geometric Motifs In
Brilliant Colors. Height: 1.5”. Egypt.

Bottom Right: Three 12-14th C. Onion Bulb

Shaped Pawns With A Round Base And With
Horizontal Grooves That Divide The Surface In
Bands Filled With Dotted Circles.
Height: 1.5”. Persia (?) Egypt (?).
CCI-USA 16

Directly Above: A 9-12th C. Ivory King (Or

Queen). 1.35” Height. Persia And On The
Right A Glass Pawn With Wavy Lines Around
The Body From The Base To The Top.
Height: .75”. Egypt.

Above Right: A 12-14th C. Glass Pawn With A

Knob On The Top. Height: 1’5”. Egypt.

Right: A 12th C. Glazed Ceramic Almost

Complete Chess Set (Missing
One Pawn). Nishapur, Persia.
The Metropolitan Museum Of Art (NY)

Medieval Period chess pieces

made from various materials at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art.
An Appreciation:

Floyd and Bernice Sarisohn,

The KING and QUEEN of CCI-USA
By Tom Gallegos
The Absentminded Antiquary

In the collecting world, rarity is Chess Hall of Fame, and freelance think he would consider your
universally considered a good curator Larry List. Duncan asked further email responses as
thing. What people often fail to me to take on the actual writing "Letters to the Editor," for
consider is that certain collectors, and compilation, which I was all possible inclusion in a future
as individuals, can be just as rare too happy to do. But as soon as I issue5.
as anything in their collections. took on the task, it was made One member (who requested
That goes especially for those rare clear to me that I was not writing anonymity for this sentiment
individuals who shine both as for myself alone, but that I now only) even expressed a bit of quiet
collectors and organizers. What bore the responsibility of resentment that I was writing this
follows is about two such speaking on behalf of others, article at all, as if this would
individuals, whom we all know something I've never really done somehow make it look as though
and love, and who rank among an before. I alone were honoring Floyd and
all-too-tiny elite of collector- It started out harmlessly Bernice, when in fact it would be
organizers, people who essentially enough. Duncan and Larry each much more truthful to say that
built the hobby the rest of us now suggested I speak to a few people the entire membership was honoring
enjoy. to get some input, suggesting a them, and that we are all in this
As many of you already know, few names. As the list of names together. With this statement, I
after years of hard work and grew, and my deadline loomed, I could only throw up my hands
dedication, Floyd Sarisohn has eventually cut off the list (quite and agree.
recently stepped down as arbitrarily) at just a few people I As the responses to my query
publisher of this magazine (a role knew had particularly close came rolling in, it began to
now undertaken by the World working relationships with the remind me of that scene at the
Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis, Sarisohns over the years. To end of the Frank Capra film, It's a
with our grateful thanks). He and these few I sent out a simple Wonderful Life (1946) where
Bernice are also beginning to back query for whatever feedback, George Bailey runs home to find
away from their roles as anecdotes and memories they his house overflowing with more
organizers of CCI meetings here might care to contribute. effusive, well-wishing supporters
in the USA. That makes this an Right away, I must apologize than he ever realized he had. I am
especially fitting time to take a to the rest of the membership for only one of the people jostling to
look back at what Floyd and not making this a more all- be heard in that crowded room.
Bernice have meant to our inclusive survey of the entire I must bow to popular
organization. roster, and for my rudimentary, demand. In spite of the byline
I wish I could take credit for unscientific methods. I was given above, do not mistake me for the
the original idea to write this about a month to put all of this author of this article. It was a
article, but apparently these together. I'm sure I have forgot- group effort, and I am but its
sentiments have been ricocheting ten or slighted many of you in humble compiler. I had been
around CCI for quite some time doing so. I know there are many planning to edit this way down,
now. I'm not too clear on the who would love a chance to sing but for the most part I will let the
details, but I think the actual idea the praises of Floyd and Bernice few people I queried speak for
for this somehow got hatched at this time. Please send any themselves. Not everyone was
between our editor Duncan Pohl, additional sentiments to Duncan able to respond, due to
curator Emily Allred at the World at duncanpohl@sbcglobal.net. I
5 Love to! [Editor]
CCI-USA 18

circumstances beyond their As most of us know, Floyd tunities were everywhere.

control, but most did, and I will and Bernice were among the Domestically, it seemed the
list them here. Thomas Thomsen original founding members of biggest group of collectors were
even took the trouble to respond CCI back at the very first within a 250-mile radius of New
from his hospital bed in Austria, meeting, which took place in York. Overseas, on a trip to
where he is recovering from knee Pompano Beach, Florida in 1984. London for the 1986 meeting,
replacement surgery. Rodolfo To hear Floyd tell it, Dr. George they met and viewed the
Pozzi and Max De Angelis of Dean and his wife Vivian (our collections of Victor and
Italy do not speak a great deal of founders), along with their good Marianne Keats, and Gareth and
English, but they sent their friend, noted collector David Vel Williams, to name a few. By
warmest greetings to their good Hafler, knew several collectors, the time of the first New York
friends, the Sarisohns. And they but they were also great at meeting, a smashing success with
did contribute several beautiful networking, and had gone around around 200 attendees, they owned
photos of Floyd and Bernice to various auction houses asking some 500 sets. Then at some
taken over the years, which speak for the names of people bidding point, they managed to pull off a
eloquently for themselves. One on chess sets. (This was how it feat which most collectors can
of them graces our cover.6 was done in the days before the only dream of, that of turning
First though, I will have my internet, kids. Of course, the their home into an actual
say in the matter. I will try to term "identity theft" was not yet museum. They even considered
keep their biographical details in common use. I doubt the applying for nonprofit status.
brief, since Floyd and Bernice auction houses would still freely That never quite happened. But,
have been profiled in many other hand out that kind of information given the sheer number of CCI
articles, in other publications. today.) The Deans sent events and visitors - including
However, I did personally inter- invitations to these bidders and children and school groups - that
view Floyd and Bernice for this other collectors they knew to the Sarisohns have played host to
article, and there may be one or come to a meeting in Florida, and over the years, it is beyond
two tidbits of information which CCI was born. There were dispute that their home has in fact
are new. Judge for yourselves. around 30 or 40 people at that functioned as a bona fide museum
Floyd Sarisohn is a retired first meeting (memories vary). In in every sense of the word for lo,
judge and lawyer in Suffolk the earliest days, it was George these many years.
County, NY (roughly the eastern Dean and David Hafler doing It is true that Floyd has
two-thirds of Long Island). He most of the organizing, but Floyd functioned a little more as the
has spent over 60 years in the law. and Bernice were quickly and public face of the Long Island
From 1960-64 he was a Justice of willingly dragooned into helping, Chess Museum, and of CCI-USA.
the Peace, and from 1964-67 he and by the time of the first New But Bernice is his rock-ribbed
was a District Court judge. He York meeting in 1988, they were support, a quiet yet powerful
was first called to the bar in 1954, the primary organizers for the influence on Floyd, and the rest
the year after he and Bernice got USA portion of CCI, and have of us. Her eye for chess sets is
married, in '53. The year before remained so ever since. every bit as sharp as Floyd's.
that, in 1952, Bernice paid a visit The Sarisohns estimate they Once, in Venice, she peered into
to Macy's Department Store, and probably had around 100 sets at a shop window at a dirty, grimy
bought Floyd what would turn the time of that first meeting. pile of seemingly random objects.
out to be a rather fateful Like many of us when first Turning to Floyd, she said,
engagement present: A plastic starting out, they assumed they "That's a chess set down there."
Kingsway medieval chess set. might be the only chess collectors And it was. A rare, 18th century
They didn't fully realize it at the in existence, until George Dean Venetian glass chess set, no less!
time, but this would be the start issued his famous wake-up call. Bernice's personal favorite to this
of something big. But the Sarisohn's collection day.
quickly exploded once CCI came And Bernice has also been the
into being. Suddenly, oppor- unsung moral compass of the
6 Cover photo courtesy of Rodolfo Pozzi
19 Floyd and Bernice Sarisohn

group. I personally know of natural materials and lovely, time- classic games such as early dice,
many occasions where she has worn patinas, slowly grew out of cribbage, backgammon and chec-
argued for greater tolerance, that dissatisfaction. Old school, kers, antiquarian books, scientific
diversity, fairness, inclusivity, and old world, old fashioned; for me instruments, and a whole host of
freedom of expression in CCI, at least, that was the way to go. other things. Too many things to
values which Floyd of course I suppose I am guilty of being keep track of, really. (I belong to
shares. Perhaps more important, one of those "antique snobs" that many other collecting groups in
they have built their collection Duncan Pohl and John Mazzucco these other areas.) My interests
together, as a true collecting will be complaining about a little are largely historical, so naturally
couple - the envy of many, whose later in this article. But surely the objects that make my pulse
spouses do not share the interest. that's no reason we can't be race will tend to be antiques.
For my part, I first learned friends, and appreciate and enjoy (With some notable exceptions.)
about CCI through a small item each other's collections. And, just But it was the hunt for antique
in Chess Life. The first time we as crucial, learn from each other. chess sets that started me down
met Floyd & Bernice in person Since starting out on this the road to collecting all sorts of
was at an April, 1993 auction at journey I have learned to other things as well.
the Metropolitan Arts & Antiques appreciate many wonderful Anyway, after buying several
auction house in Manhattan. For things, from many points of view; sets (which I still treasure) at the
Luann and me, it was an early both things I would want for my Metropolitan auction, and getting
discretionary trip to a big city to personal collection and things I better acquainted with Floyd, I
hunt for antiques, and chess sets would not. The Sarisohns were a remember him driving Luann and
in particular. I had been big part of my education. I am me out to his home on Long
collecting antiques for quite a always amazed that, even in a Island to meet Bernice, and see
while, in a lot of different fields, niche as small and seemingly their collection. My memory is
but it was my love for chess that narrow as you might think "chess that they were up around 1000
started me down that road. I collecting" would be, no two sets by that time. That was our
came to chess very late in life, not collectors or collections are alike. first real introduction to CCI, as it
even learning the moves until I Oh sure, many of us are after a lot was for many people. An
was 20 (too late to ever dream of of the same sets, but chess introduction to Floyd and Bernice
becoming world champion, collecting is fundamentally open- WAS an introduction to CCI.
people have assured me). ended. There is no way to They were the visible face of the
But when I finally did take up "complete" a chess collection, like organization. I don't remember if
the game, around 1978, I can there is for completing a series of I actually said, "Sign us up" at any
remember being dissatisfied and a stamps or coins. There will point, but the fact that Luann and
bit bored with the modern, mass- always be other sets you've never I would become members from
manufactured chess sets that were heard of, other perspectives, and that time onwards was somehow
available at games stores and in new ways to view the field, new a foregone conclusion. (Even
shopping malls at that time. They things to learn. though this wasn't an official CCI
were always just injection-molded Bernice once asked me, "Why meeting.) As I would come to
plastic, or at best, machine-carved does it have to be old?" (Because appreciate, a visit to Floyd and
wood. Not that there's anything of course, she and Floyd collect Bernice's home was one of the
wrong with that, and plenty of all sets, old and new.) My answer best recruiting tools CCI ever
people collect these things, but it was, and is, that every collector had. For people with a certain
just wasn't speaking to me on a has to delimit their collections in predilection, visiting them just
deeper level. I remember some fashion or another. made one want to collect, and to
thinking that there must be Especially when you live in a tiny meet with other collectors. They
something better out there, some- house. An equally valid question were like a gateway drug.
where. The concept of trying to is, "Why does it have to be At subsequent meetings in the
find old, antique chess sets, with chess?" In my case, I also collect USA, I would come to find that it
their superb hand-craftsmanship, rare playing cards and other was always Floyd and Bernice at
CCI-USA 20

the registration table, welcoming so. But he didn't want to talk Frank Brady, then head of the
and orienting each member to the about any of that, barely Marshall Chess Club, told me
gathering. Collecting us, in other acknowledging these negative there was a chess collectors club
words. issues. The Sarisohns do not that might be some help.
Floyd estimates that their truck with negativity, period. Through the CCI website I made
collection probably reached a With infectious optimism, he just telephone contact with Floyd and
high water mark of some 1400 kept steering the conversation Bernice who graciously invited
sets (1800 if you count other back to what a pleasure it always me to visit their home/collection.
chess-related items besides sets). was to organize these events for As promised, Floyd met me at
This is an unfortunate choice of the purpose of getting together the Long Island train station
words perhaps, since last summer with like-minded friends, to wearing a chess-themed necktie
they had a flood in their simply enjoy and appreciate chess (one of 80, I later learned) and
basement! Luckily, their son sets, chess history, chess culture carrying a chess umbrella.
David discovered the problem and chess art. And of course, Neither this nor the Long Island
when the literal high water mark each other. Chess Set Museum flag flying
was still only about a half-inch or That's when I suddenly from a pole in the front yard of
an inch, so none of the hundreds understood the real secret of the their modest ranch style house
of sets displayed on shelves in the Sarisohn's success, both as collec- adequately prepared me for the
basement were damaged. (Just tors and organizers. They always experience, the total immersion into
the shelves and everything else!) see the good in people. They just chess I was about to have.
Packing the chess sets for storage happen to see it through a lens of We entered a vestibule
while the mess was cleaned up 64 squares and 32 pieces. through the side door. Giant
and the shelves replaced has been Now we will proceed with the chess pieces ringed three of the
a huge task for the past six input of a few of our individual walls while the fourth wall was
months or so. Anyone who has members and friends. floor to ceiling glass cabinets
ever had a flooded basement filled with a profusion of tiny
(with valuable collections in it to (AND DO NOT DOUBT THAT chess sets carved from colored
boot) will cringe in sympathy at THIS COULD BE A MUCH LONGER chalk! When I stepped into their
this story. ARTICLE, IF MORE MEMBERS WERE open living/dining room my life
At a couple of points in my REPRESENTED HERE. AGAIN, MY was changed forever. In my first
interview with him, I tried to ask SINCERE APOLOGIES TO ALL scan of that room I saw more
Floyd about problems and THOSE WHO WERE NOT.) chess sets than I’d seen in my
challenges in CCI, from the trend entire life before. Every inch of
of online collecting (which for LARRY LIST (Freelance wall space that wasn’t a window
some reduces the need to meet in Museum Curator): or door was floor to ceiling
person), to the ivory ban, to our When I think about the origins cabinets filled with chess sets of
declining or greying membership, of chess or more specifically, the every era, style and material, each
to general negativity and the origins of any knowledge I have carefully labeled and dated.
occasional personality clashes about chess and chess sets, I After an extensive tour of all
which inevitably crop up in any think of Floyd and Bernice the first floor cabinets, Bernice
organization. "It must be a Sarisohn. Floyd and I talked over black
thankless task, most of the time," Back in 2002 the Noguchi coffee with white cream and, of
I said. "As the organizer, you're Museum hired me to research a course, Pepperidge Farm Chess-
on the hot seat. Always blamed chess table Isamu Noguchi had men cookies, half dipped in dark
for everything that goes wrong, made in 1944. It didn’t look like chocolate. When I washed my
never praised for what you did any other chess table I’d ever seen hands in the bathroom, the soaps
right." but I knew Noguchi’s designs were chess pieces and the hand
In short, I gave Floyd every were always rooted in past towels black and white checked!
excuse to indulge in a bit of a cultural traditions so I needed to Then, on we went to the
bitch-fest, if he had a mind to do discover what they might be. comprehensive collection of pop
21 Floyd and Bernice Sarisohn

cultural-themed sets that filled at the Metropolitan Museum and proudly displays rare and exotic
their basement. This was my tell them to organize another foreign cultural objects side by
crash course in chess sets and my show of chess sets drawn from side with sets of humble materials
introduction to a level of shared the riches of their Gustavus and pop cultural themes. Their
passion, commitment, and Pfeiffer Chess Set Collection. He collection reflects their spirit of a
camaraderie I had never seen was resistant to my explanation universality and openness to one
before. that shows and spaces at the Met and all.
The New York Public Library were scheduled 6 to 8 years in We should be thankful that
had listed thousands of chess titles advance and now needed a there were people with the vision
but which ones were best? Floyd healthy 6 figure direct patron to create CCI to begin with and
and Bernice guided me to the contribution to receive consider- we should feel very lucky that
classics: Chess by Hans and ation. (TG: For these reasons I too, there have been people like Floyd
Siegfried Wichmann; The Book of crashed and burned in my efforts to and Bernice who have had the
Chessmen by Alex Hammond; persuade the Met to stage such an love and commitment to make it
Chessmen by A.E.J. Mackett- exhibition for that meeting, which such a success for so many years.
Beeson; Master Pieces by Gareth eventually took place in Jersey City.)
Williams; Chess: East and West, Past Floyd pointed out that the Met GEORGE DEAN (CCI Founder,
and Present (Metropolitan had staged the beautiful and President Emeritus):
Museum) and of course, A History popular Chess: East and West, Past The Sarisohns were among the
of Chess by H.J.R. Murray. By the and Present decades earlier, but I founding members of CCI at our
time I left for the train station, I learned that it was only because very first meeting in 1984.
was a card-carrying member of CCI member Billy Levene was the Contrary to some people's
CCI. They sent me to Fred personal dentist and friend of one retellings, this meeting was not
Wilson's Chess Bookshop and of the Met’s most generous held at my house, but rather at
within a day I had no more patrons who was able and willing the Palm-Aire Hotel and Spa in
money, but the beginnings of a to underwrite the project. Pompano Beach, Florida, a very
chess library. When the World Chess Hall of posh establishment frequented by
Floyd and Bernice were both Fame moved to Saint Louis in celebrities such as Elizabeth
indefatigable in their vision and 2011 and I organized an inaugural Taylor. CCI was created at this
precise and fastidious in their show of Dr. George and Vivian meeting. In my condo at the
event planning. When my Dean’s collection, I worked with Palm-Aire (perhaps the reason
research turned into The Imagery of Floyd and Bernice and the some remember it as being at my
Chess Revisited, a museum show WCHOF staff to bring the CCI house), we had our first
and book about 20th century meeting to its new spiritual home. exhibition of about 60 chess sets.
chess in 2006 Floyd and Bernice CCI has now met and celebrated There were some 30 sets from my
loaned me classic works and in Saint Louis on a couple of collection, 20 from the
organized a CCI meeting, lecture, occasions. I was delighted when Metropolitan Museum of Art in
and tour of the show. I was CCI and WCHOF recently New York (they took some
honored to share the lectern with announced an ongoing partner- convincing, initially saying "But
Marilyn Yalom, who had just ship which should strengthen and we never lend art to private
published The Birth of the Chess benefit both organizations well individuals!") and about 10 sets
Queen and had also been cajoled into the future. from the Philadelphia Museum of
by Floyd into speaking. In a world where collecting Art, which had been donated to
Floyd and Bernice were can be very insular, hierarchical, them by noted collector John
tenacious in their efforts to plan and judgmental, Floyd and Frederick Harbeson.
successful interesting CCI Bernice were and are generous, Things really got going when
meetings. For months in advance welcoming, and encouraging to Floyd and Bernice organized the
of the next periodic CCI New anybody and everybody who New York meeting in 1988, one
York area meeting, Floyd kept might share their passion for of our most successful meetings
insisting that I contact the people chess sets. Their collection ever, with around 200 attendees.
CCI-USA 22

(TG: This would be a huge number for mind his thoughts and initial and Eva Bloch.) This was crucial
any CCI gathering today.) It was plans for the next convention! assistance. Floyd and Bernice
also successful in terms of what Floyd's and Bernice's contri- have benefited CCI in all sorts of
we managed to accomplish: butions are so varied and ways, from their sheer
There was an exhibition of chess significant that it's hard to narrow enthusiasm, to their welcoming
sets in the Met, with the it down, but here are the ones attitude to collectors of all stripes,
enthusiastic support of then- that are first and foremost in my right down to the colorful chess
director, Phillipe de Montebello, mind. Their encompassing know- clothing they wore to each
and we even held a banquet at the ledge is impressive, of course, and meeting.
United Nations, where I gave a they are always eager to share
speech about the importance of their insights and experiences. JOHN MAZZUCCO (Frequent
chess collecting as a means of But even more so, Floyd's and CCI-USA Contributing Author):
bringing the people of the world Bernice's boundless enthusiasm Having known Floyd and
together, because chess is such a for chess collecting and their Bernice Sarisohn for at least 23
universal game, played in every welcoming nature to new and years, you may (or may not) be
country in the world. Floyd and aspiring collectors has helped to surprised at their quality that is
Bernice were instrumental in build a strong chess collecting most endearing to me. Yes, their
bringing all this about, and have community that stems across the eclectic collection is amazing.
been mainstays of our nations and generations. Their organizing ability and
organization ever since. successes in having the primary
THOMAS THOMSEN responsibility for many CCI
JON CRUMILLER (Collector and (President Emeritus): Conventions here in the USA is
Researcher Extraordinaire): I have nothing but good things outstanding. Their contacts with
I entered the world of chess to say about them. Floyd and people all over the world as
collecting back in 2003, and Bernice deserve any and all praise well as their key involvement with
quickly came to know Floyd and we can give them, both for the very beginnings of CCI is
Bernice as outstanding experts in pushing the American group something to behold and
the field. Along the way, they've forward and for staying in close recognize.
guided and mentored me as I touch with the European group Allow me to use several words
learned the ropes. From a as well. I didn't meet them until and phrases: gracious, patient,
broader perspective, their warm, the second meeting in London, informative and most of
caring demeanor and earnest 1986. (I was on my way to the all unconditional in their support of
friendship and collaboration has first meeting in Florida, 1984 all people from all walks of life,
taught me positive life-lessons when my company diverted me to ages, socio-economic back-
that will always endure. take a look at another company grounds, points of view. They let
I've had the privilege of they were thinking about buying.) one be himself or herself when expressing
assisting Floyd and Bernice But I quickly came to appreciate an appreciation of all that exists in the
several times during the planning them for their many chess world, albeit primarily chess
and implementation stages of organizational and even financial collecting. They are most
several CCI-USA conventions, contributions to the club. After welcoming. I believe that one of
including Princeton 2009, St. each European meeting, they Floyd and Bernice's most
Louis 2011, Jersey City 2014, and came forward to inquire about the admirable attributes is their open
St. Louis in 2015. They bring state of our finances. If the arms. All are welcome.
together the perfect blend of meeting had run a deficit, Floyd My first visit to their home
organizational skills and people- and Bernice were always very was prompted by an email from
skills to these events, and each generous in contributing a a seller of a Chess Company,
convention has been fun, personal check to help out. Mascott Direct, as well
interesting, and educational for (There were a few others who did as essentially a high school friend
everyone. As one convention this kind of thing as well, such as of my wife, who lived within
wraps up, Floyd always has in Billy and Hope Levene, and Bob about 5 miles of their museum
23 Floyd and Bernice Sarisohn

and actually drove me to their by car from Floyd. One Saturday pieces for simultaneous
home/museum – and with a morning (10 a.m.), after eagerly exhibitions given by the likes of
moment's phone call notice to driving (almost flying) down the GM Lev Alburt.
Floyd. During my second visit, I Interstate highways from In summary, Floyd and
brought a Selenus chess set Vermont in about 5 hours (as I Bernice are the epitome of a
(carefully protected and packaged am an early riser), I phoned Floyd supportive environment in which
in three egg cartons) to show and Bernice. The phone call was to learn, share, live, have fun, and
them. They kindly smiled and made from a nearby shopping most importantly, "Be oneself".
informed me about the set. mall, about 1/2 mile from their (Needless to say, the focus or
Probably two dozen visits later, house. I asked them if I could drawing card was and is chess.)
over the course of a couple of visit them. They agreed, but Their receptivity was and is
decades, my own collection politely asked if I could give them unconditional. It was and is
mirrors theirs, not in the quality 1/2 hour more notice. No apparent that they felt
and the numbers of chess items problem. Yes, I was, perhaps comfortable with people of all
on display, but rather, the eclectic even more pushy than I am now. levels in society (and all types of
aspect of their massive and well- But I was a young 40+ year old chess collecting). They can
displayed collection. Yes, they novice back then. What did I mingle with the best of them -
were my role models for the know about civility? (They have both the elite, and the down-to-
nature of my own collection. tried to teach me, and to some earth. Floyd and Bernice are the
One of the qualities that I degree, have been successful. Real Thing! If you can read
admire about them is their Maybe.) between the lines, and take a
acceptance of all who enter their And finally, there was another guess at my feelings towards
(actually) modest house. And as time when they graciously hosted them, well - let me just say that it
Floyd himself has indicated in a visit (and a lunch) for my 80+ is much more than a mere
words similar to the following, "If year old mother, who was dirt "liking" of them....
you have 3 chess sets, then you poor in her own pre-WWII
are a chess collector". He does childhood in France. Of course, I DUNCAN POHL
not (as do some others in the accompanied my mom. The (Editor of CCI-USA):
chess collecting world) down- down-to-earth talk (no pun My first contact with Floyd
grade chess sets or chess intended) was exceptional and was when I applied to be a
collectors who collect, as some very much appreciated. It member of CCI. I contacted him
folks refer to them, "cheap, mass- was not until my mother went off and on after that by email for
produced chess sets (from the Far down into the basement of the a while, I believe, although those
East) or even "reproductions". LICM that she expressed the contacts were probably mostly to
He and Bernice did not and do words and laughed hysterically, do with maintaining my
not "put on airs" - and cater to "Ooh-la-la" at three of the chess membership. I do know that
just chess collectors with sets (of the hundreds) that they somewhere during that time I
an antique or "upper crust" had on display down there. talked to him about my original
leaning. He is not into chess The times in which I helped work on possibly publishing a
primarily for the business or, Floyd and Bernice were actually, booklet on American Chess Sets.
frankly trying to impress. His in my opinion small, and pale in I didn’t know if there would be
collection is, in my opinion, comparison with some others I much interest in such a subject, as
reflective of his love of all things could name. However, I have, at most collectors seemed to be
chess. times, been more of a "gopher" more interested in ‘Old World’
There was one time, relatively for them ... meaning that I have chess sets. But Floyd proved to
early in my own chess collecting willingly done little tasks having be most inclusive of all collectors
career, that they showed to do with driving around New no matter what their interest,
exceptional patience with me. England to get copies of an status or financial situation. Most
My own parents (now deceased) Antique Newspaper or helping to importantly, he encouraged me to
lived only about 45 minutes away set up chess boards and chess continue with my endeavor.
CCI-USA 24

When I finally had a final draft of don't want me to call it a Over the years Floyd, assisted
my research to show him he was newsletter anymore – I have by Bernice, has been helpful to
very enthusiastic. In fact, he finally come to agree). I am going everyone who has approached
proposed that CCI print the to miss working with Floyd as he him for information and has not
publication and make it available always somehow managed to only passed his enthusiasm for
as a promotion/gift to the come up with materials for the chess to people but has dedicated
attendees of the next (2011) next issue no matter how poorly much time to our organization.
meeting in St Louis. It was the contributions seemed to be In the 1980s I was under the
largely due to his encouragement coming in. And Floyd has always impression he owned a great
– and especially his support given me free rein when it came museum in Long Island but it was
behind getting it printed – that to the job of editor. Not only in only some years later when I
my booklet on American Chess layout and design but also in the visited his home I discovered his
Sets actually became a reality. subject matter I saw fit to put in home was the museum. Similar
The information in that 52 page the magazine. I'm sure/know he to the UK when we sometimes
booklet has since grown into a had to have said 'No' to an idea or say our home is our castle.
400+ page book. That either subject for an issue, but I don't Whilst in Weimar, Germany he
even exists is thanks in no small remember when was the last time. beat me to an interesting
part to Floyd's original support One quality that sticks out in mammoth set carved by Oleg
and encouragement. And up until my mind – and I referred to it Raikis. However at breakfast the
this point, we had never even earlier – is how inclusive Floyd following morning I was able to
personally met. Then Floyd put and Bernice have been. They are convince him that in view of the
out a call asking for a volunteer to happy to welcome all chess new US ivory regulations I should
edit the CCI-USA Newsletter. I collectors; rich or poor, snob or have the set rather than him.
volunteered. (I think I must have serf, plain or fancy. I think I can Fortunately mammoth ivory
been the only one, because I got sum it up in Floyd's own words: remains acceptable both in the
the job. Ha!) I am sure Floyd "I have never seen a chess set I UK and Europe. (TG: And in the
had some reservations about me didn't like." Overall, that seems USA as well, we might add.)
handling the job since we had to also apply to chess collectors. We owe Floyd and Bernice
never met, but he was always only If you collect chess sets, that's much gratitude for all the work
supportive. As a result of all of good enough for Floyd and they have done during the past
these events, I made it a point to Bernice. thirty-odd years not just with
attend the 2011 St. Louis CCI CCI-USA but also with CCI in
meeting, and was finally able to MICHAEL WILTSHIRE (Current general. I wish them all the best
personally meet Floyd and President of CCI): in their retirement.
Bernice at that meeting. In fact, it What is there to say about
was Bernice who was sitting at Floyd and Bernice other than that SHANNON BAILEY and EMILY
the 'sign-in desk' when my wife they have been stalwarts of CCI ALLRED (Curators, World
and I first arrived and when I both in the USA and in Europe. Chess Hall of Fame):
gave her my name she seemed I first became involved with We have been working with
very happy to meet me at last. At CCI in 1986 when Gareth Bernice and Floyd Sarisohn since
that meeting I got to see firsthand Williams asked me to assist him the World Chess Hall of Fame
how Floyd and Bernice worked to organize a meeting in London. moved to Saint Louis. They have
tirelessly over the years on behalf I attended some of the meetings been great friends of the museum,
of the CCI, and how welcoming including the gala dinner at the helping us learn more about the
they have always been to one and House of Commons and thought collection that came here from
all members of CCI. what a great bunch of people Miami, connecting us with
I have worked closely with these were. I even bought my first members of the wider chess
Floyd ever since 2011 in the chess set, a new Indian elephant collecting community, and
editing and publishing of the ivory set now banned under the lending and donating artifacts for
CCI-USA magazine (some people new regulations. exhibitions.
25 Floyd and Bernice Sarisohn

Bernice and Floyd's contri- But they are both still as sharp Life, the fact that this collection
butions have made some of our and witty as ever, and both still ever existed has had, and will
most memorable exhibitions derive great enjoyment from their continue to have, an indelible
possible. The pop-culture themed collection and the company of impact on the world of chess
chess sets and comic books they chess collecting friends. collecting, long after it is scattered
have donated have appeared in How to sum up their to the winds. Like many other
exhibitions as varied as Everybody's contribution? A comment I once collectors, I learned how to do
Game: Chess in Popular Culture; made to Dr. Thomsen applies this from Floyd and Bernice.
Power in Check: Chess and the equally to Floyd and Bernice: Like many other collectors, I will
American Presidency; Battle on the "You have not only collected the boast of the Sarisohn provenance,
Board: Chess during World War II; sets; you have collected the for any sets I am fortunate
POW! Capturing Superheros, Chess people who love the sets." enough to buy from them. Like
& Comics; and Grand Chess Tour: Their children, while all in many other organizers, I will look
Art of Chess 2017. The latter show favor of their parents as a general to their example in arranging
traveled as part of the Grand proposition (son David has been future events, constantly asking
Chess Tour, and Bernice and a fixture at many chess fairs, myself, whether things go wrong
Floyd's Asterix chess set delighted helping out his folks, and has or right, "What would Floyd and
children at each of the stops. gotten to know many of us), sadly Bernice do?"
Not only have Bernice and did not inherit the chess And I will look for them at
Floyd assembled an impressive collecting bug. Most collectors those future events. Hopefully, as
collection of their own, but more can relate to this. Our progeny founding members, Floyd and
importantly, they have built and seem to have a nasty habit of Bernice will still see fit to attend a
sustained a community of becoming their own people, and few meetings here and there,
collectors over the years through cultivating their own interests. taking their rightful place as elder
their generosity with their time (Floyd notes with considerable statesmen, and honored guests.
and knowledge. They regularly irony that his own mother was an
respond to inquiries from our antiques collector and dealer, and THE END
patrons who have questions as a child, he was not interested in
about diverse chess sets, no her collections!) As a result, Floyd
matter how humble, and have and Bernice have decided that the P.S.: On a related note:
connected us with people who time has come to break up and CHESS COLLECTION FOR
have helped build our collection. sell off their collection. SALE. All or part. All offers
The Sarisohns have also considered. Yes, the time has
Yes, it may seem incredible to
planned conferences and pub- come to disperse the storied Long
us, but one day in the not-too-
lished the CCI-USA newsletter, Island Chess Museum collection.
distant future, it will no longer be
helping to connect us with the Contact Floyd Sarisohn at
possible to visit the Long Island
wider collecting community. We lichess@aol.com for more
Chess Museum. (The lucky few
feel very fortunate to have information and details on
among us may, if we are nice,
worked with them over the years particular sets.
have an opportunity to buy up
and wish them the best. some of our favorite exhibits!)
Of course, the selling of such a
A FEW FINAL THOUGHTS – collection may turn out to be
TOM GALLEGOS: almost as much of an adventure
These days, Floyd and Bernice as building it was in the first
are slowing down, just a bit. place. And yet, it seems a shame
Bernice has trouble walking due to be reminded that all good
to HSP (a rare disease) and uses a things eventually must come to an The following photographs are courtesy of
wheelchair to get around. Floyd end. various contributors including Tom Gallegos,
has received treatment for Jennifer M. Klei of Smithtown Matters,
However, just as George Rick Knowlton, Rodolfo Pozzi, David Sarisohn
melanoma, and has recovered.
Bailey found out in It's a Wonderful and the World Chess Hall of Fame.
The Long Island Chess Museum, circa October, 2005
27

Bernice Talks About a Favorite Set, CCI Meeting, Baltimore, 2013

Auction at CCI Meeting, Boca Raton, 2008

CCI Meeting
Jersey City,
World Chess Hall of Fame
2014

CCI Meeting
Baltimore,
2013
 CCI Meeting
Philadelphia,
2002

CCI Meeting, Philadelphia, 2002

CCI Meeting, Italy, 2002

CCI Meeting, Italy, 2002

CCI Meeting, Italy, 2003

CCI Meeting, Italy, 2002

CCI Meeting, Germany, 2014

CCI Meeting
Germany, 2014

CCI Meeting, Italy, 2004