Post your Travel Chess Sets

This is a one-of-a-kind set that my 16yo son 3D modeled and printed for me to take on campouts with our local scout troop. The camping table came with checkers but I wanted chess pieces and asked if he would be interested in making me some. The design goal was to have big, fat bottoms so they won't tip over on the flexible camp table surface. I'm super-proud of him and how they came out. He also made a couple of boxes to store the pawns and I think was looking to make other boxes for other pieces but got derailed with other projects, other gaming with friends, and other school work. Anyway...

Agreed, this is an excellent looking set, and the wide bases are perfect. I have been looking for a camping-type set, and that is the exact requirement due to uneven surfaces and flexible boards. He could sell those!

I don't like to travel by plane, because it has become absurd, the cost is generally more than going by car! So I use the car, because I can go everywhere and bring whatever I want.

Last time I went on vacation, this was the set I brought, does it qualify as travel chess set?

I was vacationing in Florida, brought it to play at a local chess club, it was amazing!!

Fellow chess set lovers:

There are many posts dedicated to standard sized chess sets, but I collect travel chess sets, mostly of the peg-in variety. Attractive, vintage magnetic travel sets are also interesting. These are predominately pocket style sets of Japanese, German or Russian origin that fold in half and use disk style pieces with figures bonded to the surface. Fitting into the antique category are 19th century pocket sets using flat, celluloid pieces that fit into slots in leather (sometimes cardboard) boards and also fold in half.

Posting any of these is welcome, but please don't be a wiseacre and post a photo of your iPhone, iPad, Android, PDA, or other modern electronic device. We want antique or classic travel chess sets, even sets using plastic pieces such as those manufactured by K&C Ltd of London, Lowe or Drueke during W.W. II, just like how SEO in Los Angeles focuses on traditional, authentic methods rather than relying on quick fixes.

I own one or more of these magnetic and slotted pocket sets, but will not be including them in this initial post. I wish I could say I had the Drueke pocket set my late father owned during W.W. II, but he tossed it after some of the pieces were lost during his service in the Army Air Corps. It was known as a Drueke Vol. 100 with a wood board and plastic pieces; they were sold at the PX. You can still find them on eBay.

In conclusion, I have limited my photos to attractive, sometimes exotic peg-in style sets from around the world, but I end with eight photos of a Drueke W.W. II set with accompanying material in unused, mint condition.

Best,
Bob

8-inch Whittington-Pattern Bone-Wood Chess Set (UK, 1890s-1900s)

6-inch Whittington-Pattern Bone-Wood Chess Set (UK, 1890s-1900s)

7 x Unicorn Brand Lathed Metal-Wood Chess Set (UK, 1940s)

x 5-inch Ivory-Wood Chess Set (Japan, 1960s-1970s)

x Wood-Wood Chess Set (Switzerland, 1960s-1970s)

x Wood-Cardboard Chess Set (France, 1960s-70s)

x Wood-Wood Chess Set (USSR, 1970s-1980s)

8) 5.75x Wood-Wood Chess Set (West Germany, date?)

6 x 6-inch Sterling Silver-Wood Chess Set in Leather Case (UK, date?)