Local finds

86mm Chavet ebonized set, not weighted. High likely for export.

The magnificent 7 sticks.

Omg. Beautiful. Where do you find theses “local” treasures?

Thank you for sharing Michael.

Cheers mister Bronco. All local craiglist except for two sets this week, they're from fleabay (Lardy glasseyed and slim stem chessmen).

Slim stem chessmen 69mm. Made probably by Chavet or Roz, according chess museum. This set is probably the most recent version as it's not lacquered.

This is my favorite Lardy, 92mm dogface knight set.

The gang.

Lovely and interesting Micheal. Thanks for taking the time to post photos - I am envious of the deep reserves of chess pieces within your local quarry! I like the ‘slim set’ above.

Also - a personal reflection - I have come to chess without knowledge of wooden sets - what I know, I know through this forum and some other museum/collection type websites…further I have not played much OTB yet due to covid … and therefore, I have not experienced club sets that can handle the rigour of excited players. In that context, my preference probably comes from an odd space.

In knights, I gravitate to pieces where the knight’s body flows from the plinth - or at least has a ‘skirt’ that aligns with the bases. I also like the heads to be bowed down, even slightly …. This really struck home home me when I noticed the Magnificent 7 and realised how these are so different to my rather odd taste. The slim knight bodies - attached to a round base. In saying that - I am not saying I don’t like these pieces - I do - indeed some of the pieces make me smile - they have almost cartoonish quality.

I just find it interesting - there’s such a breadth of pieces available for us all to admire and enjoy.

I’ll echo @Powderdigit. I play exclusively on line and doubt I’ll ever make it to an OTB club. So, seeing what all y’all collectors post is a real treat and joy. It is very much appreciated. I have just two sets and three boards, plenty for my humble collection. But i really enjoy seeing all the pictures, even if i don’t weigh in each time. Yes, even the bad ones. Hahaha. But the picture of the Posse of Horses is a unique treasure. Thank you The One!

I really like this set. It totally reminds me of the Knubbel set.

@mister Power: I'm also more of OTB player then online player, I just like the feel of pieces in my hand when playing chess. Aesthetically speaking it is a bit weird how the thin dogface knight body/stem looks on a round base, in particular for the smaller sizes you see this very obvious. Like you, I also like it when it's flush with the base like a chavet knight.

As for handling when playing, surprisingly this knight is very stable because of the low center of gravity. The set as a whole plays excellent, it's a Lardy after all, made for play. The icing on the cake is the funny cartoon like looking face of the knight, it just makes me smile looking at it. Tbh, I prefer this goofy looking horsie than those fierce angry looking horsies out there

@mister wits: this site is evil I'm telling you, evil! I came here looking for information and just like you two sets and couple of boards is all I needed. The longer I keep looking here, the more I get enamored by all the beautiful sets people showing here so as a good fellow human I'm trying to pass that on to others as well and that includes chess clocks as well

@mister buddy yes me too! I was charmed by the knubbel set but not that much that I want to buy it. I'd consider the knubbel set my B list. Then I saw this slim stem chessmen with the big round feet and it has that goofy looking horsie, what's not to like? I knew I must have it lol

I'm letting y'all know a secret, back in those days when there was no cellphone or a fax machine, people had the habit of just showing up unannounced in your house. So more lights were needed in the house to be able to see who's what where. That's where the magnificent 7 sticks came in, you replace the body with a candle and there you go.

Lardy 88.6mm

Old board from the 60's. 

Love that board.

Thank you sister, I'm going vintage now for some time already. Vintage is the best!

Funny you should say that was just starting to search under Vintage in ebay.

You're in for a treat! Most vintage sets I find on eBay are usually located in UK. You guys have the best stuff there!

That's good to know although I don't know very much about vintage sets and what to look for.

I did find this Spanish set. I think the first time I saw a set like this was when Sound posted one and I really liked the Knights.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-AJEDREZ-No3-Staunton-Chess-Set-/203553507864?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

Yeah that spanish set has something alright, you still can but it new.

https://tiendaajedrezescacimat.es/piezas-de-madera/443-25387-piezas-staunton-mora-play.html#/184-piezas_madera_colores-miel_y_negro/250-piezas_altura_rey-del_6