Hello, avid chess collector here. Just found this forum and highly impressed. Can anyone help identify this set? Thanks in advance!
Post Your Vintage Staunton Chess Sets Here
Sort:
Oct 29, 2023
0
#123
I'm glad you brought this thread back to life MCH! I had forgotten about it and after the few years I've been collecting,I've developed a new appreciation for the vintage gems shown here.
Those of you folks who own originals.....You are a fortunate bunch.
@MCH818, the next issue of the Chess Collector magazine will feature an article written by Klaus Seiersen and me on "Knubbel" chess pieces. The term "Knubbel" is a made up, fantasy name, as is the notion that these are of German origin (I was actually among the collectors who copied & pasted this wrong information repeatedly, thus adding to the confusion). I will check with the editor about any copyright issues to see if I can also post the article here in a separate thread.
MCH818 wrote:
Thanks! I agree nothing beats an original set for me.
Well it took you a long time too click MCH818 Back then you was into fake sun tans .
EfimLG47 wrote:
@MCH818, the next issue of the Chess Collector magazine will feature an article written by Klaus Seiersen and me on "Knubbel" chess pieces. The term "Knubbel" is a made up, fantasy name, as is the notion that these are of German origin (I was actually among the collectors who copied & pasted this wrong information repeatedly, thus adding to the confusion). I will check with the editor about any copyright issues to see if I can also post the article here in a separate thread.
Holger it would be nice to know the history behind these sets ,
MCH818 wrote:
Thanks Holger! I read the description you wrote about your own Knubbel sets. What would the proper name be for these sets?
@MCH818, @lighthouse, the true origin of these sets is Denmark and they were traded under various names, the most common probably being Union pieces, because they were the pattern adopted by the Danish Chess Union for tournament play. In fact, these were the dominant tournament set in Denmark for more than 60 years. Picture evidence goes back to the late 19th century, lots of footage from clubs and tournaments in the 20th century.
If I post photos of my two sets above next time do I just call them Union pieces? MCH818
Well you could call them The Confederacy set , if you do not like the name Union ! 
Ok
Mike, I just received the information that the article will very likely be published end of November / early December. Once published, I will post more details here. Until then, nobody will know what Union pieces are, so you might want to stay with "Knubbel" for the time being. Should you decide to call them Union pieces later, you can always reference my article. 
Sep 12, 2024
0
#132
EfimLG47 wrote:
MCH818 wrote:
Thanks Holger! I read the description you wrote about your own Knubbel sets. What would the proper name be for these sets?
@MCH818, @lighthouse, the true origin of these sets is Denmark and they were traded under various names, the most common probably being Union pieces, because they were the pattern adopted by the Danish Chess Union for tournament play. In fact, these were the dominant tournament set in Denmark for more than 60 years. Picture evidence goes back to the late 19th century, lots of footage from clubs and tournaments in the 20th century.
Do you know of some tournaments in which they were used? I looked at photos of early 20th-century Danish Chess Championship tournaments, but they seem to be using something like the Revanche set.
Sep 12, 2024
0
#133
Oh wow,
What an impressive collection of beautiful chess sets.
I own a vintage Brazilian chess set that has a significant historical value. This particular set was used in the renowned Petropolis Interzonal Tournament of 1973, a pivotal event in the lead-up to the World Chess Championship, where players competed for a chance to challenge Bobby Fischer. Notably, this tournament was won by a Brazilian player, Mequinho, and featured chess legends like Geller, Smyslov, Bronstein, and Keres.
From the picture below, only the pieces are original from the 70s. The original board and box are stored. All pieces (32) are weighted. The King is 11cm (~4.3") height, has a 4.5cm (~1.7") base and weights 55g (white) and 65g (black). Pawns measure 5.6cm (~2.2") with a 3cm (~1.18")base, and weight, in average 21g (white) and 22g (black). Finally, the board in display is a cheap folding board in maple and walnut featuring a 5.5cm (2.1") square.
WandelKoningin wrote:
Do you know of some tournaments in which they were used? I looked at photos of early 20th-century Danish Chess Championship tournaments, but they seem to be using something like the Revanche set.
The Danish Union pieces were the predominant pieces in Danish club and tournament play from the late 19th century until the 1960s. I just realised that I never properly referenced my article "The true origin of the 'Knubbel' sets", a link to which you can find here.
And in fact there is extensive footage from tournament and club play showing these sets. I include some random pictures below. There is much more in the Danish archives, in particular when you look at arkiv.dk.
Difficult to make out the pieces, but they are Danish Union pieces from a tournament in Odense in 1911.
Kolding Chess Association Championship in 1931
Chess tournament in 1941
Chess tournament in Vejle, ca. 1945-1948 (?)
Chess tournament in Lolland-Falster in 1956
Herning Chess Championship 1961
Kolding Chess Championship 1961
Vejle Chess Tournament 1961
Odense Chess Championship 1964 - note the wonderful Posingis clocks!!!
Skælskør Club Championship, 11 May 1969
There are a large number of additional pictures from chess clubs etc. Hope this answers your question.
Sep 13, 2024
0
#135
EfimLG47 wrote:
WandelKoningin wrote:
Do you know of some tournaments in which they were used? I looked at photos of early 20th-century Danish Chess Championship tournaments, but they seem to be using something like the Revanche set.
The Danish Union pieces were the predominant pieces in Danish club and tournament play from the late 19th century until the 1960s. I just realised that I never properly referenced my article "The true origin of the 'Knubbel' sets", a link to which you can find here.
And in fact there is extensive footage from tournament and club play showing these sets. I include some random pictures below. There is much more in the Danish archives, in particular when you look at arkiv.dk.
Difficult to make out the pieces, but they are Danish Union pieces from a tournament in Odense in 1911.
Kolding Chess Association Championship in 1931
Chess tournament in 1941
Chess tournament in Vejle, ca. 1945-1948 (?)
Chess tournament in Lolland-Falster in 1956
Herning Chess Championship 1961
Kolding Chess Championship 1961
Vejle Chess Tournament 1961
Odense Chess Championship 1964 - note the wonderful Posingis clocks!!!
Skælskør Club Championship, 11 May 1969
There are a large number of additional pictures from chess clubs etc. Hope this answers your question.
Thank you so much!
Sep 13, 2024
0
#136
paulo_armi wrote:
Oh wow,
What an impressive collection of beautiful chess sets.
I own a vintage Brazilian chess set that has a significant historical value. This particular set was used in the renowned Petropolis Interzonal Tournament of 1973, a pivotal event in the lead-up to the World Chess Championship, where players competed for a chance to challenge Bobby Fischer. Notably, this tournament was won by a Brazilian player, Mequinho, and featured chess legends like Geller, Smyslov, Bronstein, and Keres.
From the picture below, only the pieces are original from the 70s. The original board and box are stored. All pieces (32) are weighted. The King is 11cm (~4.3") height, has a 4.5cm (~1.7") base and weights 55g (white) and 65g (black). Pawns measure 5.6cm (~2.2") with a 3cm (~1.18")base, and weight, in average 21g (white) and 22g (black). Finally, the board in display is a cheap folding board in maple and walnut featuring a 5.5cm (2.1") square.
What a stunningly beautiful set, and great provenance with it. Thanks for sharing!
paulo_armi escreveu:
Oh wow,
What an impressive collection of beautiful chess sets.
I own a vintage Brazilian chess set that has a significant historical value. This particular set was used in the renowned Petropolis Interzonal Tournament of 1973, a pivotal event in the lead-up to the World Chess Championship, where players competed for a chance to challenge Bobby Fischer. Notably, this tournament was won by a Brazilian player, Mequinho, and featured chess legends like Geller, Smyslov, Bronstein, and Keres.
From the picture below, only the pieces are original from the 70s. The original board and box are stored. All pieces (32) are weighted. The King is 11cm (~4.3") height, has a 4.5cm (~1.7") base and weights 55g (white) and 65g (black). Pawns measure 5.6cm (~2.2") with a 3cm (~1.18")base, and weight, in average 21g (white) and 22g (black). Finally, the board in display is a cheap folding board in maple and walnut featuring a 5.5cm (2.1") square.
Paulo, fantastic!
I'm from Brazil and I've been looking for this chess set for several years!
I'm wanting to reproduce it. I sent you a message to obtain more references and help me with this task.
I just learned that these are USA Horn McCrillis pieces. Not sure about the full set though the original owner swears they got it in England. 
Bunky777 wrote:
I just learned that these are USA Horn McCrillis pieces. Not sure about the full set though the original owner swears they got it in England.
Certainly, USA chessmen possibly Horn McCrillis or Drueke. Box is nothing these were normally sold with. Very beautiful set and well preserved chess board.
Nov 10, 2024
0
#140
goodknightmike wrote:
It seems that all we see in these forums is the new stuff. Please post your vintage Staunton sets with comments and stories about their acquisition. Below is a fascinating set I purchased on Ebay around 15 years ago. Kings measure 4" in height. I have seen many vintage sets including the vintage Jaques, BCC, Ayres, etc, but have never seen a set like mine. My guess its probably from the 1950s. Niotice the beautiful orange patina of the light color pieces. I don't think they are made of boxwood. Black pieces are stained. Opinions and comments welcome along with pitures of your vintage Staunton sets.
Wow, your post was from 10 years ago now! Did you ever find out more about this set? Who made it? It’s beautiful.
Can you help me identify this board? Purchased today (with the set which appears to be Atlantic Series Staunton) for $60! ?I found a similar board with the same exact detail in the dark squares on eBay, and the seller said he *thinks* it?s 50+ years old from East Germany. Any ideas? Feel free to email me at aaron.leicht@yahoo.com. I?m really curious as to where and when this board was made, and if there?s any value. Thanks!