Chess Set Values?

Hi All,

Question for you all. I have played chess with my Dad all my life, never been very good, but never tried that hard. We always brought a board with us camping and would switch between Chess and Cribbage.

He also has collected sets over the years, had friends and family buy him sets from all over the world while they have travelled. Russia, Mexico, Europe, etc. He wants to get rid of them as he is 83 and downsizing. I know I will take one or two for nostalgia. I also know that maybe he could have one worth some money, I just don't know. 

I attached some pictures, any advice?

Thanks for the response spiderman. Really? Ok. Well, I live in Denver, so if anyone knows any place around here to determine value etc? Otherwise, maybe I will try ebay.....Are there specific chess buy/sell sites? Anyone know of any?

I don't think any of these are worth very much though I don't recognize the metal one. The first one is ivory and it is harder to sell that kind of thing these days. If you go on eBay what people generally do is call it ox bone and eBay can't tell the difference. It's not as if you killed the elephant yourself though it's not antique, you won't be able to get a cites license for it if you try, and I think the rules do their job well whether or not some people cheat on eBay, but I wouldn't do that kind of thing myself regardless, just I have seen many people do that with ivory chess sets on eBay recently. I would say back in the day (before the new restrictions) the ivory set would be the only one here I would have been surprised to see go for less than $100, but it is possible the metal set is something special; like I said I'm not familiar with that one.

I should say on second thought the metal looks to me like it's probably worth more than $100, actually, the table board just looks to be pretty nice. Also I think the board on the 2nd set from the bottom, black laquer and mother of pearl if it's real (those pieces are not real) is pretty nice but I have seen those boards go on eBay pretty cheap sometimes, but that's eBay for you, maybe sometimes they go for more too. ... you might check and see if the metal set is by the Franklin Mint. I think it's probably not but I don't know all of their sets and it does look kind of similar to some they've made.

The metal set is an Italfama "Landsknecht" set. Here's a link: https://www.italfama.it/eng/details.php?id_prodotto=380

Thank you Boydcarts. definitely interesting researching all these sets. And of course, this has mad me start okaying on here. OMG I am horrible.

Hi,

I have a set like your ivory one though mine is definitely pre-ivory ban.  I posted an inquiry like yours on this forum and am searching to see if I got any response.  No email yet.  I don't see the kings and queens in your photo though.  Mine was purchased by my father in Japan some 40+ years ago.  Good luck.  So far, I can't figure out how much it (or my other one) is worth or what's a good way to sell a chess set.  So, if you find out, please let me know - 970-631-1296.  There has to be a better way than E-Bay or Craigslist for collectors' sets like these.

The first set is also pre-ivory ban but that doesn't mean the ivory ban doesn't apply to it. For a Cites license what you used to need to do was to be able to do is prove the set more than 100 years old, which that set is not (and the Kings and Queens are the pieces in the middle of the box.) I don't much about the new restrictions except they are more strict.

Thx for info.  Good luck with yours.  Looks like I"m going to give mine to a good friend's son who plays chess.