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Is there a market for small chess sets

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TundraMike

Made in the USA many years ago.

I have a Kuiper Chessman set 1A King is 2 7/16" high, no felt no weight and lacquered. Made by the Kuiper carving Co. 1519 Paris Ave. S.E. Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

Np pictures right now (to follow). I am interested if I should just give it away at my chess club one day as a prize for a tournament or if it is worth anything as it will cost $7 to ship since it comes in its own slide top box that is actually dove tailed.  

So if it is collectable let me know, I guess I thought it was cool looking 16 years ago and bought it off eBay when there were only a few items listed with "chess" in the name. Cool

TundraMike

Pictures. I am bad at taking pics with my cell phone so my apologies in advance.

TundraMike

TundraMike

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TundraMike
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Captain_Coconut

I couldn't tell you if it's worth anything, but I think it's pretty cool.  With a board like this (99 cents!), it would make a nice compact set for travel.

http://shop.chesscafe.com/Roll-up-Vinyl-Board-187-inch-squares-EQP1587.htm

9kick9

Its nice looking & American made.. keep it.!

TundraMike

Thanks guys, the more I look at it the more I realize why I bought it in the first place, I do like it. They must of carved a lot of wood in Grand Rapids in the day. 

The name of the company was the 1 Kuiper Carving Co. So a g=Google search brings up the Michigan Chair Co. who in 1951: "Michigan Chair Company absorbs Kuiper Manufacturing Co."  So I would guess this is way before 1951  I need to do a little more research and I think I can get some help in the historic museum up there.  I am guessing it is from the 1940's, just a guess.  They are fairly plain, no felt,no weights,wood box is dove tailed which you would expect back then. Looks in fairly nice shape, no chips, no restoration needed.