Author: Wallace, George
Title: Original Drawings for a "Game of War," Designed by Colonel George W. Wallace
Description: Anderson Township, Mendocino Co. CA: by the author, 1899. Softcover. Six loose sheets of beige stock, covering several revisions from 1899 to 1904; 16 1/2 x 16 1/2; game art on recto, notes, notary and patent notations (?), and signatures on verso, in ink and color pencils; condition of sheets ranges from near fine, with minor wear, to good+, with spotting on one of them from moisture, and cuts and nicks to edges. Although most probably lacking several revisions, or just worked on intermittently and never actually finished, the fragile, fascinating, and, apparently, unknown and never-manufactured game was invented by Second Lieutenant, later Lieutenant Colonel, of the US Army, and Medal of Honor recipient for his actions during the Philippine-American War George W. Wallace (1872 - 1946). The playing field consisted of squares and intersecting circles, with designated spots for military personnel and supplies. Each one of the revisions, starting with the earliest drawing of the game, dated Dec. 15, 1899 and titled "Diagram No. 7 (a) of New Series," contained a variation of the following text on verso: "Anderson Township, Mendocino County, California, Dec. 15th, 1899. To whom it may concern. This is to certify, that George W. Wallace, of Anderson Township, Mendocino County, California, did, on the 9th and 11th days of December 1899, design and draw the diagram on the opposite or reverse side of this sheet of paper, and we believe him to be the sole and original inventor of the said diagram. The said diagram being an improvement upon a diagram invented and drawn by the said George W. Wallace, on the 28th day of April 1894. The diagram on this sheet of paper is to be used in a game, to be played thereon, with pieces representing the different forces of an army, such as artillery, infantry, cavalry, machine guns, mounted infantry, the commander, and horses. And we further certify that the said George W. Wallace is the inventor of such a game, and we have seen it played on the said diagram. Witness our signatures, this 15th day of December 1899." Signed by George Wallace and Lydia and Llewellyn Wallace (his wife and daughter [?]). Below the signatures, in a different hand: "Santa Rosa, Calif. May 17th, 1904. This is to certify that we have this day examined the Diagram or Chart, on the reverse side of this sheet of paper, and we believe that George W. Wallace, of Santa Rosa, Calif. was the drawer and inventor of the said Diagram or Chart. Witness our signatures on the date herein written. A. S. Ruddock and Harriet W. Ruddock." Although research has not definitively proven the occupation of the Ruddocks, they were probably lawyers or notaries. Ill.: 0. 2.

Keywords: Boston-Vbf, Board Games, California 0


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