Visagapatam ivory and horn chess set

Visagapatam ivory and horn chess set

by | Mar 25, 2019

This lovely set had a crazy start in its life. My mother in the 1950’s would visit Portobello Road and buy things for others, but my father showed no interest in chess, and was gifted this set with a small Cantonese travel set and ivory inlaid board. So one day...
20th C. Chinese ivory Staunton chess sets

20th C. Chinese ivory Staunton chess sets

by | Jan 30, 2019

It is best to avoid buying these ivory tea stained sets with labels ‘Made in Hong Kong’. Many chess collectors are upset about the proposed ivory ban because it has affected the value of their collections.  It seems to me there is not much information out...
Post-1947 ivory ban chessmen

Post-1947 ivory ban chessmen

by | Jan 30, 2019

How many people were duped into buying ivory chess sets due to this advert in Chess Magazine? These Hong Kong sets were being offered for sale in the 1960’s well after the 1947 ivory ban – make no mistake, these are not good sets. Genuine antique Staunton...
Post-1947 ivory chess sets

Post-1947 ivory chess sets

by | Jan 30, 2019

As a collector, I was initially intrigued by owning ivory chessmen.  A few years ago ebay introduced a ban on the selling of ivory on their site in support of the needless slaughter of elephants. I sincerely regret buying Chinese ivory sets, and it seems so sad that...