Local finds

Yes / Europe and parts of Asia are a treasure trove compared to Australia too … I find stuff but it’s more what I like and find interesting rather than valuable per se. And there’s so much rubbish around - but that makes it all the more satisfying when you do find that needle in a haystack Many of my finds have been on spec and then I’ve had to refurbish or carefully clean things. Or friends now know that I collect and suggest items that they see. I also cherish relationship with trusted collectors such as Holger Langer … I’ve only purchased the Phillipines pieces from him but I’ll often read his book for inspiration or to check on something that I think looks ok.

@Mch818 I just wish I could find something remotely decent in quality or character, let alone the caliber of Drueke products! Not much here on the west coast, let alone the island. Maybe I need to go to more old people's garage sales, seems most stuff is cleaned up pretty quickly by the people I deem the "junk sellers" on Facebook Marketplace who have 1000 overpriced items listed. My online browsing of the local used market has not been fruitful for over 2 years. 

@powderdigit I've seen you scoop up a few interesting pieces, some with real character! I'm not after something valuable per se, just something interesting or near for a decent price. There's a bit of a cost of living crisis happening over here right now and people just sell junk for high prices. The best sets I've seen are some plastic ones, but even they aren't quite what I'm looking for. 

Where do you all go to find your sets? Online used marketplaces? Garage sales? Antique shops? 

@Ibuildchess Just check eBay to see. There are always Drueke boards there. Most are in the US. Finding one in good shape at a reasonable price might be a little take time but definitely possible. I would guess shipping to Canada should not be a problem. I bought mine there for an ok price.

When I bought my JLP board a few months ago,there were a couple of very fine Drueke boards available on eBay....Two in particular were in superb shape and well priced.I'd have bought one,but I made an offer on the JLP board that worked out.

The style of these Drueke gems has gone to first place for me....They are just so nice.

I can now see why they are so coveted.

Point is you miss the fact MCH818  , OCM wakes up at the crack of dawn ,waiting  & watching a bid here then their , Then having to arrange with the postman where to stash the package , So She will not find out , Then tell 's her I am NO addict + he made to eat raw vegetable 's , ,  See past posts .

@mch818 good advice! I was actually thinking like a local find, garage sales, antique shops, marketplaces etc'. I find that eBay is quite competitive and pricey. I'm not in a big panic to get another board/set. I'd just like to be able to find some nice sets locally, but perhaps old people with garage sales is the way to go...

@Ibuldchess I have never tried garage sales, antique shops, or marketplaces so I wonder if that would yield anything. People seem to find good stuff all of the time so maybe it might be a good thing for me to check out next time. I always look on eBay because there is no need to drive around hoping to find a Drueke board or a Chavet set for sale, and there is always good stuff from around the world. Some are outrageously priced while others are reasonable. Either way I do make offers sometimes. Sometimes people are willing to negotiate while others do not. 

I think antque shops would not be the best place to find a gem....They usually are priced on the high side.Garage sales may be better,but the odds of finding anything worthy kinda' makes it a crap shoot.

MCH pretty much has this stuff covered.....Taking it further if one is interested---

A cheap add in a local "shoppers papar" advertising one's interest in buying chess sets can really yield results fast,or a library bulliten board,or the bulliten boards in apartment buildings,or some colleges.Some allow this,but not all.

You'd be surprised how many people might come out of the woodwork,with an old/unique set.

My dad was a serious collector of all things and this is how he approached acquisitions. Ultimately,he donated some of his hard to find stuff to The Smithsonian Museum.

He was an amazing guy!

Just my two cents.

I have a Deruke model 22 from the 50’s that I found at a garage sale. The board is pretty small but it’s nice travel chess set.

I'm stoked to find this 3.75" Lardy in black varnished, probably around 1950.

Superb find! You're going to need more space.

Yeah this one is worthy to be stored on a shelve lol

Nice one!!!

Good score @theonecalledmichael ! Looks to be in excellent shape too.

I just missed out on this 75mm (3") chavet by 5 minutes! $25 CAD. 

 

Was on the lookout for a smaller set because my son has trouble reaching to the 7th or 8th rank on the bigger boards and picked this up this week. Old 45mm board incoming as well.  Inspired by this thread I guess.

81mm king, 32mm base. No weights, no felts. Anyone any idea how old these would be?

Nice, local ads are the best imo . Put felts on them and enjoy!

Nice find! I usually like to leave my unfelted sets as-is, but felted is better.

I saw this at a local gift shop a few weeks ago.

I had to take the time to post some pictures of this Lardy 6 in horn.
I think it dates from the 70s. It's also to thank @TheOneCalledMichael for all his beautiful photos ;-)

Ah talking about Lardy, I recently got this size 6 in rare black varnished. Chavet is the best but Lardy size 6 it's not bad