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USA  (Americas)

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USA. This is a well known set which must have been made in huge quantities. Normally there is a little booklet, but that is missing this time.

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  • USA, "Replica 11th Century Figures", Guinine Kingsway Florentine
  • 1947
  • Plastic K 10.4; p 6.3
  • Box 42.0×21.3×4.7
  • Board 39.5×40.7

USA. The pewter Disney set has a larger variant (3 3/4"=9.5 cm), but that is much rarer as this one, which is on its turn rarer as he plastic sets. We see Mickey Mouse, Minny, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pig and the Huey, Dewey or Louie as pawns. The figures are true reproductions of original sculpture by American artist Isabelle Macrone.

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  • USA, by Disney Corporation, "Micky Mouse"
  • ca. 1970
  • Pewter K 6.9; p 3.6
  • Cassette/board 36.2×36.2×7.5

USA. The design of these 3 identical ceramic sets in Gothic-style could origin in France 1st half of 19th century. I'm thinking on Limoges porcelain. Today you find these mainly in America in ceramic. But it is copied by many. Different artists claim this game as theirs. So did Han Theuns (Dutch trader) claim that Jackie Bouw did design it specially in honour of Gari Kasparov!

The moulds of these sets are by Duncan Ceramic Products, Inc. (now iLoveToCreate). Founded by Erma Duncan, an artist with a passion for ceramics, the company was incorporated in 1955. At the time of this set was designed, the company sold ceramic products for hobbyists, including moulds, and established a national training program for ceramics teachers. Perhaps due to the rising popularity of chess in the United States during the era, the company copyrighted at least six designs for chess sets between 1965 and 1973. Hobbyists could customize the sets with paint or colourful glazes.

1st set, of the 3 listed here, is special. It had been donated in 1978 by the widow of mister G.Faber to our chess club Eureka in Best in memory of her husband. G.Faber was a member of our club and became unwell while he was playing chess against Jan Arts in 1977. Unfortunately CPR didn't help and he died the day after. 2nd set was a combined buy with other sets and is incomplete. The last one was another gift.

On the Ecuador (Americas) page you find some more sets of this shape.

  • USA
  • ca. 1970
  • Ceramic K 10.2; p 7.0
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  • USA
  • ca. 1970
  • Ceramic K 10.7; p 7.5
  • USA
  • ca. 1970
  • Ceramic K 10.8; p 7.4

USA. This ceramic figural set has been created by Terry and Esi Ostovar, Ashland in Oregon. They made only 3 or 4 chess sets in the 80ies. Terry Ostovar is still making ceramics, but in California, USA now. You can see her work at www.etsy.com/shop/TerrysTouchCeramics

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  • USA, Terry & Esi Ostovar in Ashland, Oregon
  • 1980
  • Ceramic K 7.8-8.3; p 4.6-5.1

USA. This set came with an 1997 invoice of Joan Stern (or Sterw?) for Lothar Schmid.

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  • USA, Joan Stern, Connecticut
  • 1997
  • Cotton red K 11.4; p 4.3 green K 11.1; p 5.8
  • Board patchwork quilt 51.4×51.2
  • Provenance: Lothar Schmid

USA. This last ceramic set was bought in a 2nd hand shop in the Netherlands, but the type is mostly seen in USA.

  • unknown origin, but mostly seen in USA
  • Bought in a 2nd hand shop in the Netherlands in 2010, but set must be older
  • Ceramic K 14.0; p 8.0