WM. F. Drueke & Sons Pocket Chess Game

Until World War I, most Americans purchased chess sets manufactured in Europe and imported to the United States. Through his company, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, William F. Drueke produced American chess sets to fill the need created by an interruption in the nation’s supply due to the war. During World War II, the company would go on to produce a variety of small portable game sets complete with mailing boxes, ideal for sending to soldiers.