"Boxes, Boxes, and More Boxes"--answer

Mr. Checkers · Post by **Mr. Checkers** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 12:08 pm

When you have been collecting checker as long as we have you eventually come to the point where you are collecting different boxes because the checkers inside are all the same. Throughout checker history there has only been a few manufacturers of checkers--i.e. Halsam and the Embossing Co to name two of them. These companies inturn put out all of the interesting checker sets for others. Therefore after awhile you say to yourself--I have these checkers, but I have never seen that box before, so you buy it for the box. Many of the boxes had graphics on them that are beautiful works of art. And then you have tall and short boxes, flat boxes, hinged boxes, boxes that opened from the ends, top, side, wooden dovetailed boxes, etc., etc. One of the adventures comes is when you receive a box of checkers from many years ago that has "Never Been Opened". Now do you open it to see whats inside--no because that will lessen its value. And then another question arises--how does this box open--no lid was obvious? One of the most interesting boxes of this sort was one put out by the Halsam Co. probably in the 1940's--it contained their Comet or Empire State Building checkers and the graphics on the box were very lovely. "Checker Trivia question of the Day". Without damaging the box itself how does this interesting box open? (Cont.)

Palomino · Post by **Palomino** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 12:49 pm

Sometimes, Halsam's Comet Checkers came in a container that reminds me of a "tobacco tin" is that what you are referring to? I think you'd have to cut across the label to get the checkers out.

regards, "Pal" Bucker

Mr. Checkers · Post by **Mr. Checkers** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 12:53 pm

Pal that is coming real close. Also I added "one" more item to "High in the Sky" for you. (Cont.)

Mr. Checkers · Post by **Mr. Checkers** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 8:41 pm

I know that this is a hard question after just ripping open all of those Christmas presents. (Cont.)

Palomino · Post by **Palomino** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 8:02 pm

Here is a set of comet checkers in the type box (tobacco can) I have been thinking about.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Halsam-Embo ... dZViewItem
Regards, "Pal" Bucker

Mr. Checkers · Post by **Mr. Checkers** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 12:25 pm

If any of you had a TinkerToy set when you were younger then you would know the answer to this question. We have several very old checker sets in our museum that have never been opened. To do so all one has to do is take ahold of the small piece of string that sticks out on the top side of the box and just pull on it until it goes all the way around the box. Then it is open. Its very similar to opening a pack of gum. (Cont.)

The American Checker Federation