Mechanics institute set

Actually i was zooming on that pic with Capablanca and indeed  if you zoom in enough you see some resemblance with the reproduction, like you say photograph's may play tricks but in this case. Still of opinion they are way far of each other until i see other wise.

Oh yes i wasn't bashing Franck at all. Was just reacting at the quote from him that you posted. I wasn't dismissing his claim i was trying actually trying to understand how he could be so sure of it been a exact replica when this picture clearly shows it is not.

Like i mention in my post the M.i. has been around for a while and they must have been replacing and remaking pieces and maybe down the line the "original" that Franck based this reproduction differs from the "original"  you see Capablanca playing with.

Alas, no.  Cheapest shipping option right now is $44.18.  Then there is the exchange rate to deal with and the probable duties I'd have to pay for importing it.  It's an expensive proposition.

Well the set is finally ordered. I got the roll up board with 2.37 inch squares. I will post pictures as soon as it arrives. I think i may try to do a proper video review as well. Thanks to everyone for the input to help me make this decision. the books and equipment forum provides a much needed service for the buyer especially in my case as I can't afford to buy sets too often.

The set has finally arrived!!! I apologize for the picture quality at the moment my phone camera is broken. I will be getting a new one soon and will post more then.

I know the angles are not great but I had to use a less than desirable laptop camera. I would say that the knights in this set look a lot better in person. Pictures make it hard to see how the very round proportions work with the set but I think they look awesome. Whether or not they are exactly like the one in the grainy photo of Capablanca taken a hundred and one years ago who can really say? To me the most important feature if this set is the chunkiness of the pieces and the lack of structurally breakable parts. This is why i chose the flat caps for the kings. I find them to look very good on a set so large. There is very little danger in distinguishing between the royal couple even in a short time control with such sizable pieces. I mean the whole thing weighs about four and a half pounds!! Thanks again to everyone for their input on this chess set. I have new found respect for the photography skills of Chuck and Lou!! By the way the golden rosewood looks incredible and i can't wait to get some pictures in better light.

 Congrats, Nic. Looks great!

Having read this thread, I feel like this information should be of interest to everyone here:

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/mechanics-institute-chess-set#comment-112921246