CUSTOM MADE VINTAGE SOLOMON ISLANDS WOOD CHESS SET WITH AUTHOR SIGNED BOOK

Description

CUSTOM MADE VINTAGE SOLOMON ISLANDS WOOD CHESS SET NED MUNGER COLLECTION
Information/history on this set provided by Edwin "Ned" S. Munger (1921-2010) from Vol 3 of “Cultures, Chess and Art, A Collector’s Odyssey Across Seven Continents” which is a three-volume work chronicling his collection of more than 400 ethnic chess sets from the countries and islands he visited. Ned had this set custom made (Only 1 available) and my relative purchased it from him.
****Book is included with this set as it is a featured set on the front cover as noted in picture. Book is also hand signed by the author*****
On my first trip there in 1959 I did not find a set. But when I was again in the South Pacific in 1991 I was able to commission this set through Betty Apia, an acquaintance in Honiara, the capital of the Solomons, on Guadalcanal. Apia is originally from another Solomon Island, Malaita, where it was common practice to settle clan rivalries with blood feuding. It is sad that the Malaitans still kill dolphins and use the teeth as money. A thousand teeth equal one Solomon Island dollar. Solomon Islanders have been a fierce people. In the chess set that fierceness is reflected in the scowls worn by the King and Queen, and magnified by their elongated earlobes. Both are bare chested. The Bishop is an officer with slit cheeks. A dolphin is used for the Knight. And a typical thatched hut serves as the Castle. Stern-faced balding men, also bare chested, are the Pawns.
Chessmen range from 3 7/8" to 6 1/8" with bases up to 2"
Chessmen are in great condition for it's age with one of the King's pointed pieces atop it's head may have been repaired at one time and has a small chip of wood on edges but not easily noticed at first glance.
I inherited a large chess set collection and most were used for display in glass curio cabinets or stored. Please visit my page as I will be updating new listings as I am able to. All information given in the listing is described to the best of my ability either from paperwork my relative kept (was an accountant so he kept a lot of paperwork) or research I have done. I in no way want to misrepresent anything I list so should you feel something in the listing is inaccurate or misleading I kindly ask you to contact me so I can verify and/or make appropriate edits as I make no claims to be an expert. Ask any questions before buying and I will do my best to answer them as I want my buyers to be satisfied with any purchase made. Thank you.
Shipping w
ill be well packed and insured.