The Japanese Golden Castle "The Craftsman" Master Set

Chuck,

How I yearn for those bygone days, when one could buy "The Finest Set in the World Today" for only $50!

Amen brother. Just think how many I could buy!

Thanks Chuck. I like that second set, especially that the label says "Made in Occupied Japan". I'm guessing the first listing in newer, and looks to be lower quality than the second. It's weird that they included that forgery of Staunton's signature - looks like they weren't even really trying to make it look like the real thing.

You're very welcome, Matt. That signature is of the artisan who made the set. It is also engraved on the base of the white king! Assuming this set (# 375 according to the label) was ordered from the US in response to the ads run primarily in Chess Review, and that the label accurately reflects that this set actually was produced during the US occupation of Japan, which ran from 1945 to 1952, then it seems reasonable to infer that this set dates from 1950-1952.

Hi Chuck, I was actually referring to the signature on the first set, see below. The description on the listing said it was an attempt at Staunton's signature, but this could be wrong of course, maybe it is the artisan's

I think all the pieces of a chess set should have the same size base.  Congrats on your recent acquisition.

Hmmm... I'm inclined to think it's the carver. The Troy liquidator hasn't impressed me with his knowledge of chess or chess equipment overall.  From the meager two photos he posted on EBay, I can't tell whether the artisan signed the base of the Troy set. Frank H., is yours engraved? The set Frank Camaratta sold, #1846, has a signature similar to the Troy set, #1252. Frank C. makes no mention of a signature on the king's base.

If you examine the label on my set, the signature pretty clearly says "T.C. Statashi, as does Frank H.'s and quite possible both Frank C.'s and that of the Troy set as well.

Here's a pic of the jaques signature for comparison. I think you're right Chuck, although it looks a bit like the signatures in posts 67 and 69 could say "H Staunton", I think they both actually end in "ho".

I have a Golden Castle Chess set. It belonged to my dad. My mom gave it to my dad after the war. I guess box is not in terrific shape as ID has been lost. Because of shape I am not sure how much it is worth especially since ID card has been lost. Maybe it is not the same one you are talking about.

The king is 3 and 1/2 inches. The set is in excellent shape except the black queen has one of the little spikes broken off and there is a little wear of two other spikes. I will endeavor  to take some picture though appearance especially the knight is very similar to what has been shown before. I emailed my mom yesterday and she said my dad purchased set in New York. around 1948. My reading before would indicate the set was made in the 1950s, though I guess there could have been some earlier sets. 

1948 would have been one of the early sets, with a low production number on the label, on which was printed "Made in Occupied Japan." The absence of these does detract a bit from the value. After the trade treaty expired around 1952, "Occupied" was hand-stricken from the remaining label stock. Afterwards, new labels were printed that said "Made in Japan." Your king should be hand signed by the craftsman who made it at the bottom of the base. A very nice find indeed. The last time I checked these sets were going anywhere from $750-$1,000 USD. Yours would be at the part of the range, perhaps a bit lower, owning to the absence of the label. Very nice find. Your dad had excellent taste. Be sure to tell your mother I said that. Chuck

I took some pictures of my chess set.

I specifically looked to see if there were some markings on the base of the kings in my set and there is not.