Drueke Chess Set

Yeah, right.    Maybe you need new felts? 

Came across this blog post on Regency Canada website,

http://www.regencychess.ca/blog/

Drueke Solid Walnut Chess Boards have a long standing reputation as being the best chess board ever manufactured in America. The company founded by William F. Drueke in 1914 started production in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, an area famous worldwide for its skilled wood turners, hand carvers and craftsman wood workers.

By virtue of the fact that the boards are solid Walnut they can even be turned over to play a game. The boards are unusually thick at 3/4 of an inch. There is really nothing that compares to these heavy walnut boards.

In 1990 Drueke sold the company to The Carrom Company, which discontinued the manufacturing of the boards in 2009. Today the boards are highly sought after and are occasionally available on eBay. In 2009 we purchased at least one of each board size available and one of each chess set type. We are likely the only source period that still carries at least one of each type of Drueke chess board and Drueke chess set in original condition in the original packaging. We have not released them for sale until now.

Quite often you come across Vintage Drueke chess boards listed on ebay in completely worn out condition.

Very reasonably priced.

Is it possible to get some professional, who can restore such a vintage board back to its original beauty ?

Thanks.

I've spoken to the owner of regencychess.ca and confirmed that they have original Drueke boards in mint condition and in the original packaging. I'm picking up a 23" board. I already have a 23" one that was used in the 1986 NY Open, but's it's a little banged up, so I couldn't resist picking up a mint one at what I think is a very reasonable price.

Thanks for sharing this info, Rishi9.

thank you also,... too both of you

Anyone find a weighted set in 'mint' condition

Did anyone ever get one of those Regency Chess Drueke boards? I have a Drueke Simulated Wood Chess Extra Heavy Chessmen, 35-H 3 1/2" King pieces I'd like to match up with one of these. Request pictures if you have them!

yes, I got the 23" board. It's from just before Drueke stopped production, ie the Drueke logo is embossed on the back rather than the sticker you see on older Drueke boards. It came in the original packaging and was in mint condition.

Drueke boards are beautiful.  Works of art, really.  I have 15", 18", and 21", all the older boards.  Incredible workmanship.

I emailed Regency Canada and got a reply from David Lawless, saying he had a 21" board, and that he was heading out to ship a 23" board and would be right back with shipping info. Ordered the 21" board - he said he would ship it out asap. I'm a happy camper. :)

Lucky You :)

I was going to write to him today asking for the 21 inch board, looks like it was meant for you.

Can't believe I missed a rare chance like this by just an hour.

I emailed him on Friday (I think I registered on this forum that day) after reading your post with the blog link. He replied yesterday (Saturday) midday, and I bought it then.

Okay... so... I'm not an avid chess player, beginner at best, but I thought that if anyone would know the age/value of a old chess set... it would be someone on here, so I joined. I came across a set today, complete in/with box, which is not torn but has one large marker spot on it, definately not mint but still, no tears, some wear. The box is  red with black writing, 8.5'' X 5.75'' and reads as follows:

                                 DRUEKE'S

                  AMERICAN-MADE

                     Chessmen

               DESIGN PATENT N0 128794

on the side bottom of the box reads:  ONE SET  B  CHESSMEN  NO. 23

                                                         Wm. F. DRUEKE & SONS.

                                                         GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.

...the pieces are black and white, have original felt intact and I'd say ALL THERE NEVER USED, bases of pieces are octagon, the only flaw that I can find is unfortunately on the base of the white king, it is split.  The box/set contains the original paper instruction for the game.

  How OLD is this set?? Is there a way to find THAT out??  Is it worth anything?? Because I wouldn't mind selling it if someone wanted it.  Am I able to post pics here? I'll go try to post some pics of it on my facebook page Tam Stone. (I'm holding a turtle)  Thank you dWF5Gt, but WHAT is the variant here?? Why such a big gap from $10. US to $60. ?  They are only plastic... I guess one has to be a lover of chess to appreciate the set. Of which I am not. But still... I would like to post it for sale on our local face book yard sale but I don't want to ask too much for it... any suggestions??

Value varies:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-DRUEKE-CHESSMEN-CHESS-MEN-PIECES-ORIG-BOX-NO-23-B-2-5-KING-WEIGHTED-/151050132260?nma=true&si=vi8knFlKo8DkRPlADJvRwcTWofg%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Antique DRUEKE'S Chess Set no. 23 - 1954 - Chessmen $60 USD

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/126997759/antique-druekes-chess-set-no-23-1954

VINTAGE DRUEKE CHESSMEN CHESS MEN PIECES ORIG BOX NO. 23 B 2.5" KING WEIGHTED US $9.99

Sorry, not used to the forum... please see the bottom of my last comment dWF5Gt

I would do more research (I googled drueke ONE SET  B  CHESSMEN  NO. 23 and got those two sale links) first. Then, if nothing is out of the ordinary, find a comparable new, 2.5" King height, plastic chess set and either match that price or maybe go $5 or $10 over (USD or CAD).

The box on Etsy is identical to mine except that mine has a large "B" before the word "Chessmen" on the bottom/side of the box.  The one on Ebay doesn't seem to resemble mine much.  Thank you for your help dWF5Gt... I think that I will just post it at "best offer".  Face book Rain or Shine Matta

They aren't 2.5'' King height....one sec

The King in this set is 2'' 1/4 WITH the felt.... 2'' 1/8 without it... does THAT matter??  Maybe the "B" means that it was a flawed or defective (according to their standards) set?

Who is Wisewarrior and why is he/she asking me to put them on my friends list??? I've been a member all of 15 minutes lol! Ohhh nooo... are there "loons/trolls" on here?

You could say that:

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/goodbye2