Created by
Wallace, Herman, American, 1941 - 2013
Subject of
Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, American, founded 1835
Date
after 1972
Medium
plastic and paper (fiber product)
Dimensions
H x W x D: 7 7/8 × 8 7/8 × 1 3/4 in. (20 × 22.5 × 4.5 cm)
Caption
Wallace was an avid chess player. The collection includes homemade and mass produced chess boards and pieces. He wrote that he saw the game as a powerful humanizing force which helped him and fellow inmates use their minds towards a positive and productive pursuit. Wallace used the game to strategically inspire camaraderie, eliminate violence, and establish a network of empowerment, entirely lacking in an environment purposefully inhumane and hopeless.
Description
A repurposed square manila envelope containing checker pieces used by Herman Wallace while incarcerated at Angola Prison. On one side of the envelope in large green ink is written “BLACK”. On the opposite side of the envelope in large green ink is written “White”. There are seven white and black chess pieces, respectively.
Place used
Angola, West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Herman Wallace Archival Collection
Classification
Toys and Games
Type
chessmen
Topic
American South
Communities
Men
Mental health
Prisons
Recreation
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Maria Hinds
Object number
A2018.36.1.13.1
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5032aa605-42f4-49cb-b77e-a655eac7cf66

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

Share this page