Plastic Sets
Russian Showy Plastic
Elaborate Mini Set
Plastic set from the days, when plastic was not not yet used for one-way products. The filigrane crown on the king is a separate piece, to assemble with the main part - no wonder for such a intricate part. Kings stand 59 mm, the cassette is nicely cloth-covered, and a cloth board is also included.
Russian Plastic
Extraordinary set, produced in the 80ies as an upper end gift by the Soviet Plastics Industry Association - marbled plastic, generated by mixing variously coloured plastics in liquid form before injecting the mold. King stands 99 mm, set is felted, and contained in a superb folding box board. Another set like this in a different colour scheme can be seen here.
Tube Set
All pieces contained in a tube, formed by king and queen! Black and white plastic - reminiscent of the famous pencil set by Cy Endfield - promoted for the occasion of the Fischer-Spasski match in 1972/1973. This plastic version - acc. to the stamp - was produced for the Queens Jubilee in 1977.
Garnier
French chess pieces, opaque white (the yellow is photo yellow!) and marbled black, with prominent mold ridges used for lateral stripe decoration! Kings stands 80 mm - some ressemblance of major pieces to a German set from the 30ies - see here.
American Plastic
Small hollow set, felted and light, unassuming - kings stand 70 mm. US - or China?
Pegged Travel Set
Pegged Travel Set - 50ies - 60ies - two pieces have been reglued, and equipped with metal pegs! Kings stand 20 mm, queens 21 mm - pegs and all. Nice marquetry boxboard.
Hongkong Kitsch
Chinese cheap set, standard downmarket toy bracket, from the 60ies - with two features that make it interesting:
- first , the figurative pieces seem to emulate a metal Henri IV set (plastic always follows wood or metal originals),
- second, the light pieces of rubbery bendable material are loaded with a metal magnet!
This set is on the crossroads between showpieces and travel set - prominent mold ridges, and massive, bendable pieces - can be chewed by younguns without danger!
Japanese Plastic
From the land of the rising sun, a well made plastic set, semi-hollow - interesting knight form. felted pieces, king stands 66 mm, ridges filed down.
Bakelite Pieces
Bakelite chessmen from the 30ies, Germany, in molded cassette, some chips. The material seems to be phenol, an early plastic material - and the presentation proves this was considered and sold as a quality set. Kings stand 74 mm.
Services Set
Dsitributed to the British Armed Services in WW2, in a cheaper plastic version, this set is in bakelite, probably 30ies - one side shows the chess symbols, the other is flat for draughts play.
Michael Graves chess set
Michael Graves is a prominent US architect, professor at Princetown university - and designer, who has always maintained a design studio parallel to his other activities. Further information on his designs, his buildings etc can be found here. Among the many objects he has designed, a chess set is a notable facet of his work.
Chess Set by Michael Graves
Meticulously designed and crafted chess box, veneered, which unfolds in stages.
the chess pieces are inspired by ovoid forms - the kings crown is similar to a lego piece, and the material is some heavy modern resin feeling slightly like bakelite. All pieces are felted, with the signature "Michael Graves" stamped on the felt - kings stand 65 mm, very heavy pieces - slippery too! Lovely gadget!
Michael Graves , cont.
Rounded pieces, nice to handle, difficult to move. ovoid forms on square bases. Quite heavy, although the king only stands 66 mm high (loaded?).