Toy Sets
Toy sets here does not mean they are only for children - they are rather toys for grown-ups - handpainted or hand-decorated souvenirs, often using prefab chessmen, or being assembled in workshops from various components. This classification is arbitrary, but You will see what is in this batch....
Catholic hierarchy
Handpainted set from Japan, lampooning the catholic hierarchy - bishops, mother superior, clerics. The knights are highly stylized cats - and the rooks pine-trees. Kings stand 102 mm - this set looks done by a professional workshop, possibly on the basis of prepared wooden kits ..
Hungary - or Taiwan?
Quirky set, composed of numerous little pieces glued together - on ebay the word is they are from Hungary - mine has a sticker "Made in Taiwan" on the box - and a second set I have is fastened with rubber bands in a chinese box/board. Kings stands 112 mm - the ubiquitous pipes here are opposite colour...
German Toy set
Nicely coloured set, probably home industry from Germany in the 60ies - kings stand 86 mm high.
Very large toy set
Made in Taiwan in the 60-70ies - composed of numerous wooden parts, painted - king stands 122 mm.
Russian poppets
Standard presents from Russia through the postwar years. Quite attractive sets, handpainted.
Hungarian - or Taiwan?
Handpainted in great detail, this souvenir set form the 60ies is usually billed to be from Hungary - it might well be ... painted in Hungary! Kings stands 79 mm, the pieces are again assembled from a lot separate parts...nice set.
Bullfighter
Lovely souvenir set from 50ies Sevilla - assembled figurines, lovely detail in painting - king stands 86 mm.
Prefab pieces for home painting
A set of wooden chess pieces, for doing toy sets at home - one of many that must have enlivened the days of people in the 60ies and later. From the German Democratic Republic...
Czech Toy - or Check Toy ?
Toy handpainted set in Czech costume? - these used to be sold as souvenirs all over Czechoslovakia - but see above - kings stand 78 mm - 60ies to 70ies ?
Czech Erzgebirge Toy Set
In a slightly different style - donkey knights - these set are reputed to originate in the Czech part of the Erzgebirge - kings stand 95 mm, this set was sold in an elaborate cassette by A.v. Rolland , Berlin - 60ies.
