Unique 3-1/8" Chess Set 4Sale

For you collectors out there, here's an interesting small (3.125") chess set I've dubbed "Stubby Noir." Perfectly sized for a 2" chessboard (see pics below), I got the set from Alan Dewey, the preeminent chess set restorer. The set is ebonized boxwood and incorporates a number of pre-Staunton design elements. I call it unique because I've never seen another set quite like it. Even Alan was unsure of its origin.

I plan on listing the set online later this week but wanted to give fellow forum members first dibs. This way I know the set will be appreciated and put to good use (would make an excellent analysis set). My asking price is $150, which was my cost. I'll probably list it as an auction starting at this price on eBay. If you're interested, PM me. [Chess pieces ONLY, board NOT included]. Thanks for looking. - Lou

Dimension Table (all the specs)

I've seen this before and love the design; is it a legitimate antique?

I believe this is the set: http://www.chessantique.com/chess/chess_pages/english/PearceCornhillWoodenSet.htm

Looks to be in great condition, if antique.

It appears to be a reproduction, but I can't say definitively (I'm no expert); still a beautiful set either way

No, this is definitely a contemporary set.

Definitely looks like a derivative of this style set. It seems that many of the pre-Staunton style designs had any number of variations depending on who made the set. Just look at the variety of Northern Upright, Calvert, St. George, Dublin sets there were, just to name a few. Yet, this is the first reproduction I've ever seen of the Pearce Cornhill design.

Yeah I've never seen this set reproduced either; there are a few differences between your set and the one I linked (e.g., the knights, the bishop mitres, the king bodies), but I think it's a pretty close match (90-95%). If I had to guess, someone probably commissioned this repro based upon a set very similar to the Crumiller set; I myself considered looking into having a repro made based upon the Crumiller set.

Just think, MGT88, you could be the first kid on your block to own a Pearce Cornhill repro set. A Google search yields zilch, nada, nothing!

Hahaha

I'm really not sure what you have here; it's so unique and rare (and coming from Dewey adds some "provenance") but at the same time it doesn't seem too difficult to reproduce; $150 USD is probably fair but it could be worth alot more (or less), hard to say on this one. If it was antique I would be a buyer for sure; contemporary in this case makes it much more difficult to assess etc.

Regardless of what it's worth, it's actually a refreshingly "different" set.

It's a beautiful set; I came across it a while back while I was perusing Crumiller's collection and it really stood out to me. The kings/queens/bishop really make it for me; something about those fat silhouettes.

Hello,

Wondering if you are still sellingthis set? Please PM me if you are. I sent you a chat request also. Thanks! -Mike