Attention: Good Buys(?)

[knight_knight_zzz]

Purpose of this thread: To bring to the attention of fellow collectors, chess sets which appear to be fairly (or very) reasonable priced. Of course, "fairly (or very) reasonable priced" may be subject to some debate. (And of course, such sets are those in which we, ourselves, are not all that interested to buy.). 😉 Contributors to this thread realize that it is ok for all of the amicable / amiable members of this group to help each other find potential sets which may well elicit interest in purchase. This thread is not restricted to antiques sets or ivory sets or "low end" sets or "high end" sets. "All sets are welcome"! Let's start with: 130385155763. (Possibly Sandalwood? Tusks could well be bone. Size of chess pieces not identified. BIN and "best offer" is available! Appears to be original display/storage box. Probably made in India?) GO FOR IT! ;-) John. VT.

[noybear]

John, Re: Re: 320517812820 After John brought it up, I took a look and remembered that everything bad in life seems better when you can blame someone else for your problems, so I bought one of these sets. I was blown away that it arived by Fedex yesterday, so shipping was exceptionally quick all things considered. Both the sizes of the pieces and the weighting really make for a nice playable set in my opinion. As a matter of personal taste I think that I would prefer a slightly smaller set more along 4-1/2 king size but it's not a deal buster. The only single negative was that one piece had separated from its base but a drop of glue and you cannot tell which piece this happened to. The question of whether it is solid ebony or not is fair and it appears to be. Considering that the largest area in the world for ebony, rosewood and teak is there in India, there is no reason to think that it is not, from the slight grain characteristics visible. Figuring backwards by subtracting "Free shipping" I would have to say that this is a great value. John, You just beat me from a new topic with the exact same concept, so "Atta' Boy !" Maybe we need this as much or more than some other topics so that other members can give their 'two-cents worth' on sets that they have bought, particularly newer or newly manufactured ? Clay Neubert

[knight_knight_zzz]

Clay, Ah, yes... ebay item 320517812820 (also made in India, and of which I brought to discussion in posting #59 of the "Reproduction" sets thread). I am very glad, Clay, that you are satisfied with that set. (That was a good buy, eh?... and you seem to confirm the farily good quality.) And thanks for that "Atta Boy"! Every now and then, it is good indeed to have some thread positive feedback and support from fellow collectors like you (and my Irish friend Guy!) ;-) John, VT.

[knight_knight_zzz]

Clay, any thoughts / comments on 130385155763? (See posting #1 of this thread) John.

[knight_knight_zzz]

Well, all, here goes another possible (but unlikely) "Good Buy"(???) (In the spirit of digression as well as a result of my continued Internet searching, trying to help the questioner in the "Re: Adult Leisure Products... (ALPSCO)..." thread, I came up within another interesting (but non-applicable to the questioner's question) chess set. I think it is sometimes - or at one time was - thought of as attributed to playing chess on a ship at sea. (Or maybe it's relative uniqueness was making one seasick while playing with such as set!) http://store.metmuseum.org/Classic-Games/Wobble-Chess-Set/invt/13084413 "Wobble" Chess Set. Price seems (maybe?) on the high side to me. But maybe not, given the relative uniqueness, type of wood used (walnut, maple) for the chess pieces as well as the board. (I am feeling sick to my stomach just lookin' at the pieces and board!) King is 3 1/2" tall, and the board is about 15"x15"... not all that big. But maybe for someone who likes that particular s tyle? Or for someone running out of space for chess board and set display? Or someone with cats roaming the seven seas? (Oops! Toppled over... No? Well, take this swat with my evil paw!) ;-) And yes, I know... it is not an ebay item, but we can't all be perfect... (and ok, sue me!) ;-) Now, don't go overboard with any wisecracks, ok? There's room for only one wiseguy right here and right now, and I lay claim to that.... even if I do sometimes offer some quality stuff for discussion... ;-) John in snowless Randolph, VT. PS: My birthday is coming up soon, and I actually like that set. Arghrupt! -- Edited by knight_knight_zzz at 04/30/2010 9:11 AM PDT

[knight_knight_zzz]

All... (especially those who are not afraid of wooden reproductions.... and/or "modern" sets.... and/or those who either cannot afford - or are not willing - to pony up mucho moola for antique sets)... 370139828672. No shipping charge. 3 available. (But 5 negative feedbacks within the last several months; have not looked further about this. Maybe some more "research" is needed on that aspect?) Regardless, seems like a good price for the size, "quality"(?) and alleged material. John. -- Edited by noybear at 05/13/2010 9:04 AM PDT

[chesspurr]

Perhaps this set might find a good home in a household which appreciates good " Home Cooking ". I cannot recalling seeing another, very neat too. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/unique-large-chess-set-salt-pepper-shaker-big-vintage-/370392454250?cmd=ViewIt...

[knight_knight_zzz]

Hi, Guy. Re: 370392454250...Yes... (while) I see them every now and then and here and there, they are not all that easy to come by. The kings are on the large size, it is kinda "cute", and the price is not bad, (despite the S&H fee). It does come with a relatively large board, so I think it may well be worth it! Good eye! John.

[knight_knight_zzz]

380211010745... for that missing joint in that priceless piece... Rare metal chess set piece... Going... going.... Quick, before it's too late!

[chesspurr]

You cant be serious ? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380211010745&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%3A... You must be winding us up here John. Could you explain where a " Tit an ium " piece fits into any collection ? ]:)

[d-baron]

The scary part is that you'd have to have 32 joints replaced before you'd have a full playing set.

[knight_knight_zzz]

Regarding http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380211010745&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%3A80%2... 1.) See what happens when there is not enough serious talk about the serious topic of chess sets from serious-minded folks? It deteriorates into postings like these. (Heck, it would deteriorate anyway, given the likes of d-Baron, Chesspurr and a stuttering sleepy knight!) ;-) 2.) Can't be serious, you say? And too scary to possibly be "playing with a full deck" (if not a full set)? Are the two of you messing around with the wrong "joint"? Please, act your age! What is not serious about Titanium (not Tit an ium, you Puzzycat!)? It's unusual, so eclectic collectors can smile. It's durable, so restorers can cry a while. It's expensive enough stuff, so some "high end" collectors can brag. And it's flexible (just in certain positions) enough so some collectors can sigh and not sag. 3.) Melt it down and use some molds to create your own modern, exceptional metal chess set. 4.) Your mind is what sets the limitations. In addition, the description from the seller says, "(so they will not be attacked by the... system and rejected). Great for Your Collection...." And we all know that sellers do not lie. It would be nice, afterall, to not be attacked and rejected... Now, who started this hippie foolishness on this very worthwhile thread? Oh........................ I think I will just creep away... very... slowly... 😉 Bored silly, John. -- Edited by knight_knight_zzz at 06/28/2010 10:36 AM PDT

[knight_knight_zzz]

250656953937. Probably made in India. Serious referral to interested parties. I'd snatch it up if I did not already have one. But this item(s) - which the seller has up for bid - is even better, as it comes with a board (supposedly from Germany). John. PS: A rare 3 liner!

[chesspurr]

John Book collector of repute . A good buy or something else. Here is a list of his wins against top players. His bigname victims include Fischer, Spassky, Reshevsky, Gligoric, Larsen, Benko, Denker, both Byrne brothers, Donner, Evans, Kashdan, Barcza, Ivkov and many others. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Art-Bisguier-Arthur-Bisquier-Chess-Book-/230497722216?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_Defau... note its for sale in Glasgow too, with a whopping 33% inflationly price increase too. Here is a short summary of Fischer's loss to A bisguier, and his career results overall against this player. Info taken from wikky pedia . Here is Bisguier's only win against Bobby Fischer, in their first game. Their next game was a draw, then Bobby won 13 straight (perhaps the longest unbroken winning streak between grandmasters in history). Fischer, although only 13 at the time of this game, was decidedly no pushover. He won his celebrated Game of the Century against Donald Byrne in the same tournament. Bisguier-Fischer, Rosenwald Memorial, New York 1956 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f4 O-O 6.Nf3 c5 7.Be2 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Nc6 9.Nc2 Bd7 10.O-O Rc8 11.Be3 Na5 12.b3 a6 13.e5 dxe5 14.fxe5 Ne8 15.Nd5 Rc6 16.Nd4 Rc8 17.Nc2 Rc6 18.Ncb4 Re6 19.Bg4 Rxe5 20.Bb6 Qc8 21.Bxd7 Qxd7 22.Bxa5 e6 23.Nd3 Rh5 24.N3f4 Rf5 25.Bb4 exd5 26.Bxf8 Bxa1 27.Qxa1 Kxf8 28.Qh8+ Ke7 29.Re1+ Kd8 30.Nxd5 Qc6 31.Qf8 Qd7 32.Rd1 Rf6 33.Qxe8+ 1-0 Sadly i wont be availing of his offer, as apparently this Glasgow just might be a little nearer to yourself than is is to me. 😉

[knight_knight_zzz]

A belated "thank you" for your previous posting on this thread, Guy Chesspurr. It was an interesting referral. Ok, on to another possibly "good buy"? Geeze, I really really want the following ebay chess related item, but I think my wife would divorce me if I began to place such items in places other than "the chess room". (I would snatch it up, despite the price, as I have seldom - if ever - seen such an item in my many years of travels to flea markets, specialty stores, etc.). I have seen several chess collectors display their chess sets and items... scattered throughout their houses (or museums)... including the kitchens and even bathrooms. Ah, to have such a tolerant and understanding wife! (Then again, her own tolerance with putting up with me for 35+ years should be convincing enough of how loving she really is, eh?) ;-) Ok... here it is... Now, wouldn't this go well in on a living room wall? or behind a sink in a bathroom? Or maybe even behind the kitchen stove (assuming the grout is well sealed?) 250695396210. But for convenience sake. click onto: http://cgi.ebay.com/Alma-Tadema-Historical-Ceramic-Bathroom-Tile-Murals-2_W0QQitemZ250695396210QQcat... Ok, whose gonna take a shot at it (and not me!) ;-) John, VT... just trying to spread some sunshine on a dismal cloudy day with rain in the forecast!...