WW II Chess/Checkers
The dealer from whom I bought these claimed that they were military issue to WW II American soldiers. They were designed to be used as checkers and chessmen and could be carried easily in a pocket because they're so small (smaller than a dime). One side is blank for a checker game and the other side is embossed with the images of chessmen.
I was also told that these are bakelite and from the texture and sound made when they're tapped against each other I believe they are, in fact, bakelite. I once saw pieces like these included in a pocket game set that, if I remember correctly, included a small chess board, backgammon, deck of cards, dice, etc. but was about the size of an overstuffed wallet when closed.
Because of their combined design, I coined the term "chesseckers." There are other chesseckers out there but I think this is the earliest example.
Because they're so small, I keep them in my one Miguel Laguna chess box that didn't come with it's own chessmen.
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