LOT #38285 |
Sold on Nov 30, 2011 for: Not Sold
Lee Harvey Oswald: Personally-Owned Chess Set....
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Description
A Gift to Oswald From His Mother.
Lee Harvey Oswald: Personally-Owned Chess Set. This lot consists of a chess set bought for Lee Harvey Oswald by his mother when he was a teenager in New Orleans. His mother, in her testimony before the Warren Commission, mentioned that "Lee played Monopoly. Lee played chess. Lee had a stamp collection... Lee read history books, books too deep for a child his age." Mack Osborne, who served in the Marine Corps with Oswald and shared a room with him, told the commission that "Oswald read a great deal... He also watched television and read books." Another Marine, Richard Dennis Call, testified that "[Oswald] spent a great deal of time playing chess. I played chess with him about once a week; we were of approximately equal ability... I had a chess set which contained red and white chessmen; Oswald always chose the red chessmen, making some remark to the effect that he preferred the 'Red Army'." The set contains fourteen white pieces: King, Queen, two castles, two knights, one bishop and seven pawns. There are fourteen red pieces: King, Queen, two castles, one knight, two bishops and seven pawns. The chess pieces are in generally fine condition. The Queens and the red King are each missing the felt at the hollow bottom. The original burgundy leather-textured box measures 6.5" x 4" x 2". The bottom is worn. A gilt knight is imprinted on the cover which is heavily worn at the hinge and is almost entirely detached from the box. The snap button is present on the front side, but the strap attached to the cover which would fold over to the snap, closing the box, is missing. "Tournament/ Chessmen By/ Lowe" is embossed inside the cover. It is sold together with a signed statement by Robert L. Oswald, the assassin's brother, relates the family history and how Mrs. Oswald gave the set to Lee while living in New Orleans (1954-1956) and how four pieces were lost over the years.Auction Info
2011 Nov 30 - Dec 1 Americana & Political Memorabilia Signature Auction - Dallas #6066 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
Nov-Dec, 2011
30th-1st
Wednesday-Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 2,005
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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