The find of the century !!!! Update 7/22/11

[Jay H]

I know this probably should be in the "Sharing" board,...but I wanted to post it here for a little more exposure, as I am certain more visitors read this board than any other here on the ACForum.....

For the distinguished collector out there.....you must visit the opening of...

THE JAMES MITCHELL ELLIS COLLECTION


at the OMOCH website.

http://www.online-museum-of-checkers-hi ... /id69.html



Jay "astonished" H

[George Hay]

Jay, this is incredible, a virtual time capsule of checkers! --George Hay

[Jay H]

Jay, this is incredible, a virtual time capsule of checkers! --George Hay

You bet, George....and I believe only the surface has been scratched on this find.........hopefully, Mr. Smith is willing to reveal more from this amazing collection.
Stay tuned !!!

Jay "still stunned" H

[Jay H]

Mr. Smith has submitted several more unpublished photos to be included with this historical exhibit..........

http://www.online-museum-of-checkers-hi ... /id69.html


Most, if not all of these items will be auctioned off on Ebay. When they are listed on Ebay, I will include links to the sales.
I am not in anyway profiteering from these sales.....I am just glad that Mr. Michael Smith has agreed to allow them to be exhibited on the OMOCH site.
But, the chance is there for anyone to own a piece of this amazing collection buy bidding on Ebay....


Jay "still shocked and awed" H

[Jay H]

Jay, you might let the librarians at Cleveland Public Library know about these auctions-- I'm not sure what their policy is on acquisitions, but if anyone has the checkers budget for this stuff, they do.

Hey John,
It is my understanding that the custodians of the "special collections" unit at CPL have what would amount to a small house filled with "uncategotized" items that they need to sort through....I doubt they would have the time to pursue and/or look after the items contained in the Ellis Collection...I believe most of these things will end up in private collections. There are some amazing , one of a kind items here.......that some serious collectors will be bidding on........it is interesting to watch this all happening.

Regards

Jay "Happy Birthday America" H

[Jay H]

Mr. Michael Smith continues to "dig in" to this incredible find, and continues to find even more amazing items from the "JAMES MITCHELL ELLIS COLLECTION" which he has given permission to be displayed on the OMOCH site, and which he is offering for sale on Ebay...
Check it out at the link below...
http://www.online-museum-of-checkers-hi ... /id69.html


Jay "still in amazement" H

[Jay H]

This find gets more and more amazing....Mr. Michael Smith continues to discover more rare never published photos from the 1950's, boards, checkers, etc.
A once in a lifetime chance for collector's...
There are links from the JAMES MITCHELL ELLIS EXHIBIT at the OMOCH site for everything that is currently on sale at Ebay..

http://www.online-museum-of-checkers-hi ... /id69.html


Regards

Jay " " H

[john reade]

Jay,

Do we have evidence here that the red and white pieces on green and buff boards were first introduced in the USA in the 1950's?

John.

[liam stephens]

From the Age of Antiquity.
==================================================================

Andrew Anderson in his 2nd Edition 1852 - Standard Laws, wrote:

"As Red and White men show a beautiful contrast, it is desirable to chose these in preference to any other; and, ........................................they will appear to greater advantage............................. for, in this way a piece cannot be placed upon a square of its own colour, while, at the same time, there is a sufficient distinction between the men. We do, therefore, recommend the universal use of Red and White men ........................................"


That's telling them - Andrew !

Postscript:
ACF Rule Book
Rules of Play and Laws for Standard American Checkers The following rules and laws govern the play and conduct of the participants in officially sanctioned ACF tournaments.
Rule #1
The official checkerboard to be used in national tournaments and official matches shall be green and buff with two-inch squares. The board shall be placed for playing so that the green double corners are on the right-hand side of the players.

Rule #2
The official checkers to be used in national tournaments and official matches shall be turned and round, red and white, and of a diameter not less than one and one-quarter inches nor more than one and one-half inches. The pieces shall be placed on the green squares.

[George Hay]

I really like black and white photography, and Ellis is an artist with his pictures of Wiswell, Hopper and Fraser. The one drawback of black and white photography is that it is not in color! That makes it difficult to trace when green and buff checkerboards first were used. Anderson did not specify green and buff squares. It is safe to say that green and buff squares were introduced sometime between Anderson's 1852 second edition and the founding of the ACF in 1948. From Glasgow, Scotland to Glasgow, Kentucky, checkers has a great history! --George Hay

[liam stephens]

A bit like the early Snooker matches shown on Black and White TV, when the famous commentator Ted Lowe uttered the occasional on-air gaffe, his most famous quote being, "and for those of you who are watching in black and white, the pink is next to the green."

[Jay H]

Mr. Michael Smith continues to find more photos from the Wiswell Freestyle World Championship Matches held in Glasgow Kentucky in the 1950's.
If you would like to own a piece of theis incredible collection visit his Ebay store

http://stores.ebay.com/ShopAholics-Clos ... 4340.l2563
His Ebay store does contain other items, no-Checkers related, but all of his current listings can be viewed there.

To see the entire JAMES MITCHELL ELLIS COLLECTION that has been revealed so far, visit the OMOCH site

http://www.online-museum-of-checkers-hi ... /id69.html

Jay " " H