I like antiqued and distressed boxwood just as much, but I already got one classic Staunton set each in antiqued (1849, Chess by India) and distressed boxwood (Morphy 4.4, antiquechesscrafts), so I now wanted a clean set. I agree "distressed" doesn't really look naturally aged, unless someone enjoyed rubbing their pieces in ash periodically. 
That's one way to see it. OTOH, a company like Staunton Castle are selling a ton of those distressed sets because, apparently, people enjoy those. I don't think the patina lessens the "value", aesthetically or monetarily, in any way. I wouldn't want many of these, but it's anice contrast to have one of them.
That's one way to see it. OTOH, a company like Staunton Castle are selling a ton of those distressed sets because, apparently, people enjoy those. I don't think the patina lessens the "value", aesthetically or monetarily, in any way. I wouldn't want many of these, but it's anice contrast to have one of them.
You have an example of both sets. If you use these sets. You will see how these coating act with age and play. Over the naked wood... And what set will hold the value if you want to sell the sets.
Maybe slightly off-topic but an interesting question of how would these modern reproduction sets be valued if you sell them after let's say 20 years. I have a House of St. set from 2001. It came with a solid mahogany box. All together for 500 usd. Now you need to fork out more for the box alone… All those way too expensive boxes now are veneered btw.
Good point Powder! In my case,though I have quite a few sets no longer available,I've never made a chess purchase thinking of long term value.To me,it's for my personal satisfaction and interest in the great artistic variety of the sets that appeal to me.
I think two of my grandkids will one day be fighting over "Poppy's" chess set collection. Nobody else shows interest except them. My son,a brainiac,could care less about chess.
His loss.
I've been waiting for the big post-Covid/Queen's Gambit flood of "used" chess sets to hit eBay. It hasn't happened yet.
I like antiqued and distressed boxwood just as much, but I already got one classic Staunton set each in antiqued (1849, Chess by India) and distressed boxwood (Morphy 4.4, antiquechesscrafts), so I now wanted a clean set. I agree "distressed" doesn't really look naturally aged, unless someone enjoyed rubbing their pieces in ash periodically.
I saw your other set. When you are buying luxury chess sets. You want 100% natural wood color and wax is ok for polish. Regardless of how the coating look like new with a fake distress look. You are not buying something more, you are buying something of lesser value.
I agree with this. It seems a bit dishonest to artificially age something. I realise it's not dishonest in this case because they're all advertised as being artificially aged, but it just seems a bit off to me.
At some point I suspect we'll see such sets appearing on the second hand market being passed off as the real deal. Then we'll have to rely on them smelling right - ebay will need to cater for a "sniff test" somehow
I am old enough to remember - a lot of people took up chess at that time, especially in the US. And then quit a few years later when they realised it was difficult to get good. I doubt there was a load of good chess sets bought though? That was before the days of cheap outsourcing to India.
The boom the past few years has not resulted in the sale of large numbers of chess sets. Chess has become a video game.
The boom the past few years has not resulted in the sale of large numbers of chess sets. Chess has become a video game.
Strongly disagree
Nearly every retailer was out of stock for months/years on basically every chess set available. Noj’s waiting list swelled from 4 weeks to 4 years. Yes, chess thrives online, but the boom was clearly felt in stores as well.
Absolutely. Some vendors even found it necessary to apologize for not being prepared for the demand onslaught after The Queen's Gambit. Indian companies sold tons, too, hiking prices in the process. Some vendors in my country saw their sales rise by up to 1000%.
I don't know...The last three sets I bought,just fairly recently(two from S.C.) took only one week to arrive on the East Coast USA.
I don't know...The last three sets I bought,just fairly recently(two from S.C.) took only one week to arrive on the East Coast USA.
Yes, but the Queen’s Gambit came out nearly three years ago. We were referring to the effects of that on the chess retailers, it definitely had an impact at the time and for many months.
At this point, there are still residual effects but obviously not quite the same as it was back in December/January 2021.
Germany's biggest chess retailer (Schach Niggemann) ran out of boards completely, many models weren't available again until a year later.
The boom the past few years has not resulted in the sale of large numbers of chess sets. Chess has become a video game.
Strongly disagree
Nearly every retailer was out of stock for months/years on basically every chess set available. Noj’s waiting list swelled from 4 weeks to 4 years. Yes, chess thrives online, but the boom was clearly felt in stores as well.
Glad to be wrong on this point.
A new 1849 Staunton set. in clean boxwood and ebony A few deviations from the original e.g. to allow heavier weighting, but faithful enough, and fantastic quality carving at a moderate price. 4.4" king's height, black kings comes in at 110g.