Capablanca at the Mechanics Institute (San Francisco) in 1916 with the Mechanics Institute chess set.
The House of Staunton reproduction.
I made one slight modification to my M.I. set.
Gligoric at the 1950 Chess Olympiad in Dubrovnik with the original Dubrovnik chess set.
And the NoJ reproduction.
This is excellent, Lou. Thanks.
Even for the history its neat. There is a Russian topic, that lists many pics, but it is hard to make out the sets. There are also some other topics, that lists a lot of the sets. Batgirl did a lot of great research. Alot of info is on her blog. Some of the topics, don't necessarily state sets used in tournaments however. So as far as me remembering them all is difficult. There are so many different types, and names of sets also, that I am not aware, nor remember them all, as well. Excellent idea Eyechess.
Not sure if this set is of interest. It was Karpov v. Kamsky from Elista. These had red or black leather pads underneath. I have both versions. Here they are and one of my sets (from Ukraine) . 
Here's some pictures of the set designed by Herman Steiner in the 1940's and used in the 1961 match between Bobby Fischer and Sammy Reshevsky, and the at the 1963 and 1966 Piatigorsky Cups, where it has assumed the alias we call it today. By the same logic we could be refer to the early Staunton set by Jaques as the 1851 London set.
From the Reshevsky-Fischer match of 1961.
Posed photo with Fischer, Reshevsky, and actor Jose Ferrar.
And a close up of the set where the knight can be clearly seen on the left.
Herman Steiner with actor Spencer Tracy.
Herman Steiner with Sammy Reshevsky and Max Euwe.
And a contemporary limited production repro of fifty sets from the Official Staunton company in the U.K. Here's number 12 of 50.
The early 1890's set from the short-lived British Chess Company (1891-1907?) was used at the 1936 Nottingham Tournament, where, in attendance, were five past, present and future world champions -- Lasker, Capablanca, Alekhine, Euwe, and Botvinnik -- or everyone who held the world title for a period of 63 years, from 1894 to 1957! All at one tournament. How's that for a royal flush!
Alekhine at Nottingham 1936. The only picture I could find that clearly shows the BCC set.
An original 4.3" 1891 BCC set. You'll notice the pawn on the extreme right has a double collar. The set was originally produced with single collar pawns, but was later changed to dual collars to match the remaining pieces.
The 4.4" 1936 Nottingham ebony set by House of Staunton (discontinued).
Before producing the Nottingham set, HoS made a limited run of fifty-two (52) 4.25" ebony versions of this British Chess Company set. I was able to secure one of the last sets sold (51 of 52) shown below.
I have decided to try something kind of fun.
I am going to print pictures of some of the original sets used in games and by those that made them famous and significant.
For instance, I want to find a nice picture of Fischer and Spassky playing in 1972 with the set in plain view. Then when I bring my Fischer-Spassky set to play at club in a rated game, I will have the picture to show my opponent how that design set was used by the greats and we are now playing on the same design set.
I want to do this for the Fischer-Spassky set, as just mentioned.
I also want to do this with the Soviet Latvian set and a picture of Tal and the original design in action.
I also want to get a good picture of Fischer and the Dubrovnik set for when I use my Dubrovnik II sets.
So, here is my request.
Please post in this thread pictures of some of these great players and sets in action. It would be best to have the set easily identified by the picture as well as the great player or players.
There is a thread about Tal and his favorite set. I'm having a hard time finding it. So if cgrau or arlindo would post those pictures I would appreciate it.
Now that I think of it, the Piatigorsky set is also one that a good picture would be nice.
And any of the great Staunton designs in use by some great player of the past would be great.
I welcome any and all pictures of these original sets in use.
I'm sure others that read this forum would also appreciate a collection of these pictures as well.
Thanks.