I like ANRIs. (So what else is new?)
Well, what also is not new is that the (financial) value of these sets, for some reason, continues to climb.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120624423628
This particular set had gone for about $450 just a few years ago. Now, even with damage to chess pieces, it is going for over $500. (Maybe not
all that much of a difference, but it still did climb, and not all chess sets climb in financial value, as many of you already know...)
Granted, they are finely carved. They have been referred to as "...the antiques of the future..." (though that will certainly be after I kick the bucket!) and I believe (but am not sure) that the ANRI company is still making just one s tyle figural set.) The rest of the myriad s tyles have been "retired". BTW, I still think that some chess collectors do not see or appreciate the fine carving and coloration of these figural ANRIs. Then again, "to each his own."
However, I really do think that the prices, which many if not most of the sellers of these ANRIs have been asking (and which they have generally been going for), are way out of line. I suspect that as time goes on, the asking and realized prices will likely settle down to more realistic, long-term prices.
One s tyle of ANRI that seems to have exceptionally (and unreasonably) skyrocketed... and please pardon the unintended pun... is the "Space Age" set.
John, VT. PS: Dan Dwolf... you do know that I was only joking around and teasing you and others in my previous posting on this thread, right?
😉