Vintage circa 1890s British Chess Company Set used at Hastings Chess Congress

Here's some pics of my set which I believe is a vintage British Chess Company (BCC) set. Kings measure 3 7/8" in height. Similiar sets were used in the Premier section of the Hasting Chess Congress during the mid 1930's through 70's and possibly earlier. Unfortunately, I'm missing a few pieces. But I will have Alan Dewey make the replacement pieces. The Youtube vdeos show Mikhail Tal and other GMs playing with this set. 

Here's some links to Youtube videos showing the set:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knLnSbiMHNk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knLnSbiMHNk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-dntBTeGcM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuXignAhNpw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuXignAhNpw

Great set. Love the knights' eyes.

Thanks Chuck, agreed the Knight eyes are fascinating!

Mike,

The glass eyes on chess knight are an interesting study. I am not certain when they changed from hand made glass eyes to plastic, probably in the 1950s but the old Victorian sets had these and yours must date fron the turn of the century as BCC went out of business fairly early on.

Hi Alan, Thanks for the info and dating of my set. Unfortunately, its a partial set. I will send you an email about making replacement pieces for this very nice vintage set. 

Ok Mike Look forward to your email.

Beautful set, never seen anything like it. 

Thanks m_Liguori, glad you enjoyed the set

Here's some pics from the 1945-46 Hastings Chess Congress showing the BCC set.

Super photos, Mike.

Thanks Chuck!

Liked the last pic.  It's nice to see a pic of a fellow Canuck chess player.  They're few and far between.  :-)

Thanks Moriaty, glad you enjoyed the pic

Boris Spassky shown with BCC set at the 1965/66 Hastings Chess Congress

Former World Champion V.Smyslov and S.Gligoric with BCC set at Hastings Chess Congress.

Hello Mike:

Great, Great Set. A marvellous chess Hastings chess set Congress ( British Chess CVompany?) Yes, A Photo of The Hastings chess Congress 33 shows that set. And Yes...Capablanca plays with this set!

One thing puxzlles me: Do you know that this Knight is typical of a german set, very popular in ex RDA ? No doubts, that is a inspitarional copy of the English Knight.

 I have a  book that is a golden mine for Hastings chess Tournaments ( games and Wonderful photos) here. Some photos are of that book.

Fabulous photos BurnAmos, thanks so much! The one with Capablanca is fantastic. 

Yes, I've seen some vintage German sets with a similar Knight.

And thanks for referencing the "Battles of Hastings" book. 

Great thread, Mike. Love the photos, Arlindo. Apropos to your point about the German knights, I just acquired a German set from the forties with knights in this style, glass eyes and all. Here are a couple photos from the vendor...

Here's the link to the YouTube video showing GMs Smyslov, Gligorich,Timman  and others with the vintage BCC set during the 1969-1970 Hastings Chess Congress. Some great close-ups of the set. Skip the first 55 seconds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzTwuGbtM1M#t=56.199845