Welcome to the Danish Union

Hi all,

Firstly, I’m starting this thread but please refer back this Knubbel thread (https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/knubbel-chess-sets) it is a helpful reference.

So why am I starting a new thread? Well / I didn’t want to hijack that thread and I think, if these pieces are (re)-categorised as Danish or Danish Union - a thread with such a title might help.

I have three ‘Danish’ sets - one a CB reproduction (purchased some time ago) and the other two purchased very recently - and beautiful in their own right. A vintage plastic set - circa 1950 and a vintage wooden set probably circa 1960? Not sure. 
I cannot fault the modern reproduction / it is well made - much larger and heavier (with weighted pieces) than the vintage sets I now own.

The vintage sets are the highlight for me though. Amazingly- it’s hard to split which is my favourite.

The plastic set with its wider bases and a beautiful burgundy and ivory colour. The reverse bases are a highlight. It’s a delight to look at and play.

The wooden set is probably just my favourite - it has a wonderful honey colour for the light side and the pieces are really distinctive.
Perhaps distinctive is a good word Danish Union pieces - they have their own distinct character and are great to play, study and simply display. Great stuff.

For collectors with more knowledge than I - I would love to know more about the reverse coloured plastic set; it seems quite rare and I’d be intrigued to find out more.

- I would also like to know what the (5) means in the vintage wooden box. I’ve seen our Union sets with numbered boxes (50) being one number I remember seeing. Is it a size thing? Not sure.

Here’s a few photos of my three sets to help people see each of the three sets.

First the reproduction:

Then the Plastic:
Finally the wooden:
And some other photos:

Red and white is so suitable for Danish pieces. I like the wooden set best, but the reproduction is also nice. 🙂

@DelphinSnow - the reproduction is very, very good. As is nearly every repro that I have purchased.

I am not sure if I can describe this well but I’ll try … the quality of modern, newly turned wooden sets is almost clinical.

Further, modern repro’s are often slightly altered for various reasons e.g., for better stability so wider bases and/or weights or scaled up to be larger - reflecting some people’s desire for larger pieces.
Indeed, the workmanship can be incredible and some may view the pieces improved from the originals (in some cases) and I have no problem recommending reproductions. (Albeit many threads across this site rightly reference significant variability in quality or quality control and service by some manufacturers) - but this thread is not about that.

Rather - I make the point that - for all the clinical perfection - somehow the pieces lack character or personality when compared to well made vintage or antique pieces. It’s probably a silly statement - ‘personality’ in an inanimate wooden object - but I hope you get what I mean. A well made vintage set with dings and dents and imperfections speaks volumes of its past - and adds something that newer pieces cannot reflect …
Alas - I have my limits - I do not like heavily chipped pieces or incomplete sets that have been made whole by mismatched pieces … vintage can be ugly too.

So that’s a long-winded way of saying … I’ll continue to buy both repro’s and vintage … but if I had my choice, I enjoy a good vintage set because of its perfect imperfections added by use and time.

Hence, why I think we both like the vintage Union set the best…And I remain intrigued by the number (5) on the box and indeed, that the lid opens on the long side too - unlike many boxes that slide off the right or left narrow side.

I think, I feel the same way. At first, I wanted to have one of these Indian sets with fancy elaborate knights, but while I was browsing websites, I fell in love with a reproduded chavet set, especially with the knight. But I didn't buy one,and now I'm glad, I didn't, because later I found a vintage one, and it has much more soul. 

Yes, the vintage set has its imperfections, none of the four knights are totally alike, they are also slightly asymmetrical, the cuts are not perfect, one of the knights has a gnarl right on its cheek, the manes are all different, the dark pieces are stained slightly unevenly, some pieces are leaning. While the Indian set would probably be perfect and the dark pieces would have some beautiful grain. But then, the white pieces wouldn't have swirls and I believe, my vintage knight has more "personality" that the one from e.g. chess empire (picture from their website).

I would not buy a mismatched set, but if I had a set with some kind of story, e.g. a set my grandfather played with and my father and some pieces got lost on the way and got replaced, I would probably love it anyway.

I also like pieces that have some kinds of patina that comes with being grabbed the same way over the years, like the staining being faded or being darker in certain places like your green chavet set. Mine are actually lacking this, they look like no one has ever played with them.

Anyway, I apologise for inserting my French knight into your Danish thread.

Cheers Delphine and DKW … in the end, as Mark says, it is all about quality and in truth, I tell myself lies all the time to justify the things I do! 😉😬😊 My most recent lie is to make an excuse for my bad play and string of losses … excuse being - I’m busy with lots on my mind… but alas - the truth is - not enough study, practice and playing … and too much time posting here!🤦‍♂️

To go back to my original question and hope for this post. I’d really like more info on below, if possible.

For collectors with more knowledge than I - I would love to know more about the reverse coloured plastic set; it seems quite rare and I’d be intrigued to find out more.

- I would also like to know what the (5) means in the vintage wooden box. I’ve seen our Union sets with numbered boxes (50) being one number I remember seeing. Is it a size thing? Not sure.“

Photos of my Danish set ,

Thanks for posting @lighthouse - lovely pieces and clocks. 👍👍👍

I find it interesting that these sets are stored in lower profile, broader boxes than the narrow, deeper boxes of a French or English origin. Ridiculous as it is … one of the reasons for me buying the wooden pieces was wanting to see this different box. It’s nothing special - just different from what I had seen previously.

Love 'em

Me too! Great pieces. Enjoy!

In fact, I had one of my sets out at Xmas too.
Danish Union on a Polish board. 👍

I'm on the search for a complete plastic version in decent condition if anyone knows where I can snag one.

Make me an offer I cannot refuse... 
I am Located in Vancouver, Canada.