Hello!
I am a young lad from the states that has always loved those old celluloid passport style folding chess sets with slots to hold celluloid pieces, red and black, in them. (Example below!)
Here's some pics of my Wallet chess set I got from the USCF back in either the 70's or 80's
@fightingbob I don't own the one I posted I'm looking for it!
I didn't think you did, ElephantHistorian, because I know you're looking for a nice one. Once in awhile these show up on eBay, often listed by sellers in the U.K. Unfortunately, they usually have pieces far more worn than the one you posted and with starting prices between $100 and $150.
As a collector of travel chess sets -- mostly peg-in style -- I have a few vintage wallet sets I won from eBay. They are for viewing and not for playing. Oh, you could play with them but they would degrade quickly.
The first set shown below is a Thomas De La Rue & Co, Ltd. folding chess & draughts pocket set. It dates from the early 1900s, is made of waxed cardboard with pieces of heavy card stock. The pieces are dirty from use, but not extremely so because the symbols remain relatively clear if not sharp. The total cost in late 2015 including shipping from the U.K. was $73.77
Case and Front Cover
Back Cover
Open Set with Original Pieces
The second set shown below is a Catlin chess & draughts set with celluloid pieces and a leather board. According to the well-known collector, Jon Crumiller, commenting on his chess only Catlin, "the patent stamp shows October 1889, but this set is probably circa 1900-1910." Even if my pieces and board look brand new, this may be the age of my set as well; frankly, I don't know. One thing is certain, my Catlin appears to have never been used. The total cost in late 2014 including shipping in the U.S. was $55.00.
Front Cover
Open Set with Original Celluloid Pieces and Leather Board
If Soviet wallet sets were my thing (and if I had the money), I'd jump at this one at Etsy:
Just because.
If Soviet wallet sets were my thing (and if I had the money), I'd jump at this one at Etsy:
Just because.
I have a similar set made about the same time ... 
I have this nice old Jaques set, the only one I own and the only one I've ever seen of these.
I Love these aswell! There's currently a Catlins one on ebay with the original box and paperwork, you might be able to haggle the price a little?
Copy and paste this into eBay it should come up: CATLIN'S POCKET CHESS and DRAUGHTS SET - A RARE VINTAGE COLLECTABLE ITEM
All these designs remind me of a modern slotted pocket chess set. Their prices are probably not what you had in mind for “amazing deals”.
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/pocket-chess-of-bobby-fischer?page=1
Read through this thread to find tips on where to get one
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/post-your-travel-chess-sets
In November 2022, I bought this new slotted pocket set. I have been looking for this kind of set for a very long time and know others have too. Slotted sets are much easier to use than a disk magnetic set in my opinion (easier to grasp piece - larger surface area and no adjustment needed - rotational orientation). I am very happy with it - high quality, high customer service. There are other variations of the slotted set available - link below.
Highly recommend this vendor on Etsy - Nmleathercrafts
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Nmleathercrafts?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1351594951
Hello!
I am a young lad from the states that has always loved those old celluloid passport style folding chess sets with slots to hold celluloid pieces, red and black, in them. (Example below!)