Checkers Gameboard with Painted Roses

Circa 1900: Gameboards were utilitarian in nature and were meant to be used, and this wonderful 28.5"L x 13.5"W pine checkers board has seen its share of games. Personalized on the back with original owner's carved initials CT, this 14 square by 8 square board was most probably made in Canada or possibly along the Canadian border in upper New England, though checkers games larger than an 8 by 8 square are usually attributed to our northern neighbors. The board has a beautiful worn three color original paint decorated surface with apple green and red over a white ground and roses painted on its opposing ends! The board has three old chips with an aged patina and one in use replaced keeper board with oxidation marks from the nails. The frame is mitered on the corners and has early round nail construction typical of the turn of the 20th century and has a few later in use nails added to stabalize the board as it aged. There are also a couple knot holes visible under the painted surface and typical wood shrinkage commensurate with age. All of these things are part of the board's history and charm and point to the honesty and intergrity of its surface, construction, and use. We've enjoyed this gameboard in our personal collection for years after purchasing it in New Hampshire, and we are finally content to let it find its way to a new home.