Civil War Soldier’s Folding Checkerboard (SOLD)

This is another great piece being offered, it is a Civil War era folding handmade checkerboard. The hinged wooden board measures 9” x 9” in the open position, and 9” x 4 ½” in the closed position.

From playing cards to checkers, dominos and chess, Civil War soldiers played basic games with each other in order to pass the time (see period photograph). They also used their time to adapt objects found on the battlefield like wood, lead and bones into missing objects when needed. In my book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items”, I go into more detail about the games soldiers played (see pictures).

There are some period scrapes and wear, but shows good evidence of age, originality and period use. Being that it folds is the typical sign of being a traveling board, taking up minimum room was very necessary with soldiers. A neat companion piece with any Civil War soldier’s personal grouping.