Historical information

This chess set was carved from local wood with bases made from halved cotton reels. The chess pieces take the shape of Australian animals, and Aboriginal men and women. The set was presented to Mr. Benzion Patkin, Honorary Secretary of the Zionist Federation of Australia, by Tatura internees in recognition of his assistance, in particular, his assistance in facilitating the emigration to Palestine. According to Mr. Patkin, he received the chess set in a wooden box inscribed, "With our sincerest thanks from your Zionist friends - Tatura, on the way to Eretz Israel, per Leonhard Levin, 20.11.1942.".

Inscriptions & markings

Written in pencil UR corner, upside down: (22) Printed in black ink: "B. & H. PATKIN Flat (printed 2 corrected in pen and ink 4) 313a Dandenong Road Windsor 3181 Victoria Australia Tel: Home 51 - 5671 Bus 63 - 8959"