Mikhail Tal's favorite Latvian Chess Set circa 1950s

Gorgeous set, Up. Great photos, too. Many thanks!

Thanks, cgrau. After having seen the red and black Tal sets that you and goodknightmike posted, well, I just could not let this one slip by when I saw it. I'm glad got it. 

As for the pics, you're very kind. goodknightmike's pics are always detailed, very thorough, and have a warmth to them. While your pics can also be very detailed using close-ups, they also have a very artistic flair to them. The simpler view I offer adds another perspective and variation on the theme.

Got my copy of the set a couple of weeks ago (?) but was unable to take pics. 

I really like this set. Apart from the style favored by Tal, the red and black really does it for me. The set shows the wear from age and there are a couple of battle scars but that is to be expected. The set is not weighted - which I do not mind at all - but unfortunately, none of the pieces have felts. It's not a problem, but I prefer felted bottoms on the pieces.

The line-up -

The Kings:

Their Queens:

The Bishops:

The Knights:

The White Knight:

The Rooks:

And the Pawns:

The flash lightens the red to a near-orange and the wear becomes a lot more visible, but in normal lighting - or as I like it, a little dark - the set is very attractive.

If you have the opportunity, I encourage you to add one to your collection. Thanks. 

Gorgeous set UpcountryRain, thanks for sharing

Beautiful set Upcountry! Those red and black pieces look awesome.

Thanks for sharing your pictures

Thanks for keeping the fire alive, goodknightmike. I just got a miniature Tal set in the mail today. It's the cutest thing and seemingly excellent for analysis. As soon as I have the chance I'll post pics. 

a thing of beauty.....

Leave it to the Russians to come up with a set like that.

Does it actually improve your play ?

I think it does.

I have many Soviet chess sets in my collection.  Picking my favorite would be difficult, but if I had to pick one, it would be Tal's favorite Latvian set. Here's some pics of a circa 1950s Latvian  set. Kings measure 3 5/8" in height with a 1.5" diameter base. Pawns measure 1 5/8" in height. 

This is a beautiful set. Thanks for posting.

I ordered this a couple of weeks ago. Hope to get it soon.

I ordered this a couple of weeks ago. Hope to get it soon.

Pictures from the seller:

Absolutely gorgeous infomaticacobach! Can you post some close-ups of the pieces when you get it?

I ordered this a couple of weeks ago. Hope to get it soon.

Pictures from the seller:

I ordered this a couple of weeks ago. Hope to get it soon.

Same! I really wish they made a set like the op's in plastic. Is that sacrilege?  I kind of don't care bc the only otb chess I play I travel on foot to clubs and a weighted plastic set like that would be the coolest!

Finally here are some pictures. One of my daughters took them as I've been kind of busy. I hope to take better ones this weekend. 

She didn't even placed the pieces on the chessboard. I shoud have asked the daughter who plays chess... 

I received another set this week, an incomplete (1 missing pawn) "Tal" set apparently made on 1951, it has some missing finials and many pawns have their collars broken. 

I guess the set pictured here is earlier than the one made in 1951. I love the knights, none of the knights of my other soviet sets have teeth, and are more detailed than the ones of my 1951 and the 1960`s "Tal's" set.