Yes, lots of questions for sure. I know prices will most certainly rise in the future even on standard wood sets. I am talking many years from now. If a manufacturer goes out of business then the sets will skyrocket. Examples are Drueke, Ultimate Chess Set, Cavalier Chess Set & Windsor Castle Chess Set. Thank goodness that Warren Buffet dosn't play chess.! You would see many sets like 1800's Jaques virtually disappear IMO.
The Future Of Chess Set Collecting And Investing
Sort:
There ya go number 9... Ya hit the nail on the head... That's my thoughts as well, the future of survival may be just around the corner. Who knows as only time will tell... I think big name rarity old or new and limited editions might be where it's at... and I'm looking of course for my grandchildren 25 years down the road.
Tempting and taunting...
I see no evidence that anything currently offered by the big retailers in North America will become collectible. It's all mass-produced from India, and you can see that it mostly sits unsold on eBay.
The only exceptions I can see:
- Sets used at prominent tournaments/events, or sets that have some other historic significance
- Sets from a small manufacturer produced in limited editions
- Sets made from precious materials
- certain antique sets
The examples mentioned like Drueke or Windsor sets are in demand now due to nostalgia from a generation that grew up with those sets. I'm not sure there will be any demand for these in 20-30 years.
So in summary, if you want to treat it as an investment, either collect ivory sets (assuming you can without circumventing existing laws), or collect small manufacturers like ANRI, or make friends w/ the tournament director at the Sinquefield Cup, or start looking at antique Jaques/BCC etc (picking antique British Statunton sets just as an example, many other antique styles/regions to choose from).
Just my 2 cents.
I hear ya Frank, but I'll agree to disagree somewhat. I never had one single regret about these recent purchases of mine (Thank you HOS :) Link:
http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/ya-saw-my-dubrovnik-on-my-drueke-now-my-spassky-fischer-40th-hos
... or this (Thank you Noj :)
http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/my-dubrovnik-set-on-my-drueke-board
sure, lovely sets, but do you think you could sell these at a profit? Of the two, I suspect the Noj would be easier to sell.
First, understand that I would not sell specific sets and have no need to. They'll be going to my grandkids someday like I mentioned above...Here's another example of my purchase recently and recommended on this site a number of times... Try and get one of these originals now for that price...maybe...but pretty scarce...link: (note-no longer available)
http://www.chessusa.com/product/DB-100.html
I wish to own a real royal board with pices of gold nd sqares gold and silver alternatively :)
ROBB_CHESS wrote:
First, understand that I would not sell specific sets and have no need to.
I wasn't suggesting you should. But the discussion was specifically about "investing" in chess sets, so return on investment is a legitimate consideration.
Investment in bullions fetches best return .....:) and I lyk living lyf king size :)
...and just another set that became my player that HOS doesn't even have cataloged or registered bought around 1997. When I first signed up on this site I inquired about it. John C (strngdrvnthng on here) was the only member that actually had the set as well and discovered my player was made in 1997. We're not sure of this 4 incher limited edition just actually how many sets were sold at that time... If I recall we probably paid around $300. My feelings also tell me that genuine black ebony could become sooooo scarce that non ebonized genuine black ebony sets could do well in the future... link:
http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/25-year-hos-chess-set-need-your-help
Talk about a bust, I see where a second hand shop here in town is selling Beany Babies for 49 cents a piece.
I'll try and make it more clear...Not looking for superior growth...Just as a hobby, it's pleasent to see one's chess sets hold or grow somewhat in value and ya can't compare a beany to Jaques...PLEEEEEASE. Further, inheriting is not only charished by family for it's value, it has memories attached as well...
Anyway...? ( Maybe it's time for yet another video :)
What should one buy ?
In my opinion, buy what you like. I think a collection should show plenty of variety, this in styles, materials... I would not focuse on getting stuff that values over time.
Will prices go up or down?
My gues is that the skillfully crafted stuff will go up.
What manufacturers will rein as king?
I don't really talk about manufactoring in chess, unless it is plastic, then maybe.
What is important is the name of the craftmen, all the big names today are basically skillful craftmen of yesterday, so I think the big brands of tomorrow are the good craftmen of today.
What manufactures will survive?
The ones that keep a good quality product at a reasonable price?
Go with antiques?
I personally don't, I don't think people on the past know better than people from today. I like some of their designs but i never really consider an original, I would prefer what is consider a "museum quality reproduction" sadly in the circles of chess repros I have rarely seeing this claims of detailed work to keep it as close to the real as it can get.
Go with name brands?
As long as the brand keeps the standard that builded the brand. For example I am on the idea that HOS is droping the standards, so if this is really happening then all the sets that come with Frank's signature will become eventually more valuable, as people will eventually reffer to them as the real HOS.
Go with limited editions or one offs etc?
As an investment... maybe. Asuming someone will care about this. Most people (including me) will be just happy with a repro.
Consider for example what is happening with the dubrovnik set. No doubt an original one from the original limited edition of 50 sets today will worth a lot of money. But nobody around here is trying to grab one. People is mostly so focuse on getting the best quality reproduction that we are actually in the point where the repros are of superior quality than the originals.
Go with famous remakes?
Go with good designs. The rest is fashion trends.
What's hot what's not, past,today, or tomorrow?
Oh my... I can write a whole essay just on this topic.
Modern versus old school ?
Modern, all the way.
Master carvers, old versus new?
new.
What types of designs?
I would say, minimal designs.
What materials used?
Wood, metal and glass. In that order.
David has been awarded 25 Master points today for his in depth review and concise reply :)
I think some of the major brands will retain some value. In 20 years the earliest House of Staunton sets will be collectible. Not in the same way Jaques sets are collectible, but still nice to have around.
Also they will be getting some patina on them by that time. Everybody likes a nice golden hue to their boxwood.
Soooooo true Jack.... At the club I sometimes get asked if my playing set is antiqued which as you probably know is only 17 yeats old... Just gets that color over natural time. The Ren wax I use once a year also promotes that apperance as well without harming any finish... I've never used it on stained finishes though so I can't speak on it in that regard...
By the way guys... If your ebony over time shows signs of slight base hair cracking... Leave it alone as it is not uncommon even in the most treasured and expensive sets...also if you should exchange a piece always keep your original even if it costs a bit...
What do you think, certainly alot of questions:
What should one buy ?
Will prices go up or down ?
What manufacturers will rein as king ?
What manufactures will survive ?
Go with antiques ?
Go with name brands ?
Go with limited editions or one offs etc ?
Go with famous remakes ?
What's hot what's not, past,today, or tomorrow ?
Modern versus old school ?
Master carvers, old versus new ?
What types of designs ?
What materials used ?
Soooo many questions...