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"Deutsche Bundesform" - I find myself in the situation of having to answer my own post - but here is an interesting answer to it, and a bit of information.

The answer arrives in the first number - english language version -  of the excellent german culture-oriented magazine "Karl"  - see here.  Karl has been around for 8 years, has established a reputation for superbly researched historical and culture-oriented articles on chess - and now has decided to conquer the english language market, where only New in Chess Magazine provides on occasion similar material (of top quality, ofcourse).

It seems the Nazi authorities and the local Munich Nazi tops wanted to spare no effort ot make the Munich 1936 Olympiad a resounding success for the "New Germany" they were propagating. Part of preparation was to have a new chess set designed - the one mentioned above - in order to repel the Staunton sets invented in "treacherous Albion", and adopted by a still fledlging FIDE. 
 Please read the whole article by Michael Negele (of the Ken Whyld Association), it is very interesting. Certainly a few hundred sets were made, and used throughout the Munich event.

These chess pieces seem to have had a long life after the war in German clubs, until replaced as is natural by newer pieces. The average life span of a wooden set in active club life will rarely exceed 30 years, because pieces get lost, broken, or simply chipped and chapped - and club members change as well.

For the "Bundesform" set, it remains to determine who designed these sets, in which manufactury(ies) were they produced, and where did the postwar set in the same style originate from.

 


Comments

Michael
11/09/2009 2:38pm

If you can read some German, there is an article on Wikipedia on the Bundesforn chess set (with a link to your website BTW).
A modern version of this style can be found at http://philos.quasarshop.de/Detail.asp?ARNR=2150&AG1=&AG=&ID=&ALID=&Lang=E
Quite a nice set in my eyes!

Reply
thomas shaffer
09/16/2011 7:33am

Hello, i live in denver, colorado and i paint in detail plastic roxy chess sets. I have painted now about 18 sets of diffeent 'set colors'.
I wish i could sumit a picture, however this is the problem i now have, i can't find the roxy sets anymore. I had bought nine sets from a store called "Its Your Move", but they are no longer here. Where can i buy the roxy sets to continue painting as my hobby?
Thank You
Thomas Shaffer

Reply
N.Lanier link
09/16/2011 8:11am

Hi, no idea. Do not even know if they are still made, or if You just happened to get hold of some old stock.

But - there are plenty of other plstic chess piece sets You can adorn - and lots of sets in biscuit for example. Try the Charly Chaplin / 30ies set for example...or just pour and mold You own plastic chess sets with Supercast or Duncan molds....

All the best

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thomas shaffer
11/13/2011 9:06am

I am trying to find the Roxy Renaissance
plastic sets. I hand paint them in detail. If i could send a picture i would. But my problem is, I am painting my last set. About ten years ago i bought twenty sets from, 'Its Your Move', here in denver. They are no longer in denver, however i was able to get in touch with them, but no luck, they don't carry this set anymore. Do you know where i can get this type of plastic sets (black & White plastic). I have many chess sets, hand made Egyptian bone {2 sets} Conan Ceramic hand painted in detail, large set. Space chess,round 4-way chess set, and many more sets. I hope you can help me.
Thank You, Thomas

Reply
thomas shaffer
11/13/2011 9:14am

Sorry, i didn't see your reply before i sent you another. Thak you for answering me. I am still looking. I don't know of the charly chaplin sets, and i have no idea how to cast my own. I wish i did because i would make a cast of the roxy set and then cast my own. Anyway Thanks again for your help, and sorry for the double question above.
Thanks, Thomas

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