Chess set

Hudson Maxim|Wm. F. Drueke & Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan

1910 · Wood · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Hudson Maxim of Landing, New Jersey, was the brother of Sir Hiram Stevens Maxim, Anglo-American engineer and inventor, best remembered for the Maxim machine gun. Hudson Maxim (b. 1853) was the younger of the two and had numerous patents for explosives. His "Game of War," based on chess was patented in 1910 U.S. patent No. 1,030,521. The surface of the board (u) has 100 squares. The pieces (blue and red sides) are twenty per side: King, General, two cannon, two horse or cavalry, two mortars, two flying machines, ten troops, five van and five rear. Purpose of the game is to occupy the citadel of the opposing side which is the square occupied by the King at the opening of play.

Artist

Hudson Maxim|Wm. F. Drueke & Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan

Date

1910

Medium

Wood

Culture

American, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Gustavus A. Pfeiffer, 1953