Barleycorn chess sets appreciation: a Tribute

It’s been a cool few weeks … I have been fortunate that a few rather speculative purchases have resulted a couple of wonderful Danish Union sets and this lovely little English Playing set. I think all these sets are beautiful but… I also can see how others would not like them for various reasons and there lay the beauty of this hobby; a long and deep history producing an enormous array of different pieces and boards … reflecting the array of different opinions - there’s something for everyone.

Your photographic compositions continue to impress, @Powderdigit. I always enjoy viewing them, and agreed with a previous post--the above antique set has found a worthy home.

Please keep them coming...

Also, when will you begin the dedicated Pub Chess Thread?

Hello

People usually call a set "Barleycorn", even if it is not. The Chess Collectors International group would love to change that and go back to the original definition. In fact: all sets in the pictures and the real sets listed are NOT of Barleycorn type, except the 2nd real set of EfimLG47. See https://www.schaak-museum.nl/england/eng-barleycorn/ for more. Another good article is http://anonymouschesscollector.blogspot.com/search/label/Pattern%3A%20Barleycorn

Excellent information @jvreij - thank you. Noting my post above, I think it is correct in noting it as an “English playing” set or perhaps more correctly - a slim English playing set. Would you agree?

Your are 100% right, both indications can be used @Powderdigit.

PS: you have my name wrong: it is @jvreij (you omitted the 'r')

The essence, or origin, of the Barleycorn name is the decoration with the grain.

@jvreij - Joost, I would count the 4th set in my above post (see also picture below) also among the Barleycorn sets. It does have a Barley pattern, which one might describe as Barleyleaf rather than Barleycorn. But I think Jim Joannou was mainly aiming at distinguishing between the Barleycorn sets which have a Barley related pattern on the body and the numerous sets, which only had undecorated bodies and which he labelled "ribbed style".

@EfimLG47 - Holger, personally I would not call it a Barleycorn. After Jim Joannou's lection in Oxford, I have changed it all on my site and does not call the sets without grain decoration a "Barleycorn" any more.

Joost, I need to watch the video of Jim's presentation again!

Thanks for the comfirmation @jvreij and apologies for the misspelling - I’ll edit to correct shortly. 👍

@Powderdigit

Are these sets made in Ivory or Bone. Anyways a fantastic design.

Most Barleycorn sets are made in bone, but ivory sets do exist. I don't think wooden sets exist.

Hello there - I am a new member. but I have been reading this forum for awhile.

I have what until recently we all would have called a wood "Barleycorn" set.

How can I post fotos to here?

PBLIZ in Oregon

Hi @PBLIZ

You can use the 2nd icon above the input area to add a picture. If you hover over the icons you will see the meaning. I'm very curious to your set!

2 months LATER here are some photos of my wood, old, something-like-barleycorn-but-not set

Joel

Oregon

Hello @PBLIZ

Looks indeed as a wooden English set, which is very unusual for this common type.

But without the pieces themselves physically I cannot be 100% sure it isn't German.

Thank you for posting these photos!

Here is my set, I know nothing about them. They are not in the greatest condition. One bishop was glued back together and a pawn too.

Its odd two of the red pawns seem to be different and as far as I can ascertain the set is at least pre 1934. I say this because it came in a box with a paper clipping at the bottom that is from before 1934, I only know this because I looked up an individuals name in the clipping and that person died in 1934. So it's an educated guess really.

If anyone has info regarding this set please let me know.

Thanks