How to Start Collecting Historical Chess Sets

You can already guess that historical chess sets come with their share of scars, stories, and secrets. But somehow, they've survived everything from Viking raids to basement mold.

I think that's pretty incredible, don't you?

So, whether it's a Lewis chess piece staring back at you (while the Berserkers bite their shields). Or even a Staunton knight with its ears carved off by time, collecting historical chess sets gives you a front-row seat to history (without the long lectures!).

Oh, and guess what I found? You don't need a fortune to start.

You just need a good eye, a little patience, and perhaps a soft cloth to remove all that 19th-century dust.

Why Historical Chess Sets Are Worth Collecting

Recently, I was reading a Sotheby's auction catalog and came across pieces of an ivory chess set shaped like Mughal warriors. Can you believe that?

Historical chess sets are miniature time machines. Each one reflects the politics, fashion, and craft of its era.

From antique chess boards used in royal courts to vintage Staunton-style sets that redefined tournament play, they aren't just beautiful — they're milestones in the evolution of chess.

Why don't we take the Lewis chess set, for example? Those brooding figures carved from walrus ivory were discovered on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland in the 1800s.

Now housed in the British Museum, they're among the most iconic chess pieces ever found.

Did you know there is a story that a local crofter named Malcolm MacLead came across a sandbank on the Uig Bay beach and discovered the pieces hidden away? That's one theory — and it just adds to their mystique.

Is it any surprise collectors treat historical chess sets like gold? These aren't mass-market chess products.

I think it's fascinating that something as quiet as a game could leave behind such loud, visible history.

Types of Historical Chess Sets by Era

Look what I found while reading up on medieval artifacts — some of the oldest historical chess sets didn't even use humans as pieces.

Early historical chess sets in Islamic regions often avoided human forms, so pieces were thrones, domes, or geometric shapes. The Ashmolean Museum features ivory chessmen from the 9th century that resemble miniature architectural relics.

However, let's examine another significant one. The Lewis chess set — now sitting proudly in the British Museum — was discovered on the Isle of Lewis in the 1800s, but was likely carved in 12th-century Norway.

Did you know the knights are biting their shields? I think that’s a perfect example of how chess pieces reflect the mindset of their time: tense, war-ready, carved in walrus ivory.

Fast forward a few centuries, and you’ll find Vintage Staunton-style sets, born in 1849.

Can you believe the Staunton knight became the universal “look” for tournaments just because Howard Staunton endorsed it? One smart marketing move later, and chess had a global face.

Don’t skip the Soviet era. Sets like the Dubrovnik 1950 — yes, the one Fischer loved — are now collector holy grails.

Notable Collectors and World-Class Collections

Some collectors don’t just own historical chess sets — they’ve basically built museums around them.

Take Dr. George Dean. He and his wife, Vivian, spent over 50 years traveling the world, collecting chess pieces from more than 100 countries. Their collection consists of over a thousand historical chess sets, including one owned by Catherine the Great.

Don’t you think that’s incredible?

A significant portion of it now resides at the World Chess Hall of Fame, and some pieces were displayed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Royal Academy in London.

Then there’s Jon Crumiller, a private collector with an eye for detail. His website (which you can actually browse) has hundreds of photos of antique chess boards, themed chess sets, and rare 18th- and 19th-century pieces from across Europe and Asia.

Are you surprised that some of the most famous sets — including early Staunton-style sets — come with engraved maker’s marks?

One original Jaques set from 1849 even fetched nearly $10,000 at auction. These aren’t just chess products but artifacts.

Oh, and let’s not forget the British Museum, which owns the original Lewis chess pieces found on the Isle of Lewis. They’re national treasures now. Is it any surprise they rarely leave the display case?

If you're serious about collecting, study what these collectors have done.

How to Start Your Own Historical Chess Set Collection (Without Going Broke)

Did you think collecting historical chess sets meant spending like a Russian oligarch? You really don’t have to.

Most collectors start with a single, affordable set that catches their eye — and that one piece turns into a lifelong obsession.

I think this is very interesting: some of the best collections in the world began at flea markets, not auctions.

Start by figuring out what draws you in. Are you into Medieval replica chessmen? Or are you obsessed with Vintage Staunton-style sets?

Does the idea of owning a Cold War-era themed chess set make you giddy?

I found that many seasoned collectors recommend starting with replicas.

Not fake knockoffs, but licensed copies of iconic sets. You’ll find some stunning pieces on sites like USCF or House of Staunton that replicate the look of Soviet tournament sets, early Indian ivory designs, and even Lewis chess pieces.

You can hold history — without auctioning your kidneys.

Ohh, wait and see what I found: sometimes you’ll score big in antique shops or estate sales. One collector purchased a French Lardy "Club" set for $20 at a flea market.

Where to Find Rare and Authentic Historical Chess Sets

So… where do you even find historical chess sets that aren’t just shiny fakes or overpriced tourist junk? Honestly — the good stuff doesn’t always live on eBay.

Indeed, online marketplaces like eBay and Etsy have numerous listings. However, did you know that genuine gems often appear mislabeled as “old game pieces” or “carved wood ornaments”?

If you want real pedigree, check out verified antique dealers like Frank Camaratta or the auctions at Bonhams.

The British Museum houses the original Lewis chess pieces and sells replica sets, as well as those from The House of Staunton.

But don’t stop at shops. Estate sales, old clubs, and even Facebook Marketplace can be goldmines.

While researching collector habits, I discovered that many collectors obtain their best finds from Chess Collectors International (CCI) meetups. There’s even a “chess market” at every convention. How absolutely fascinating is that?

There have been some notable past events, such as the London Chess Conference, which allows you to buy, sell, and trade rare sets while learning from historians and other experts.

Social media is also a great tool. Facebook groups dedicated to antique chess collecting often have private sales that never hit public auction houses. 

If you want to go full Indiana Jones, contact local museums or retired club directors. Some are sitting on forgotten sets in storage.

Just remember: rare doesn’t always mean expensive. It means you were looking when someone else wasn’t.

Preservation, Display, and Ethical Considerations

Chess pieces deserve more than a dusty shelf or the bottom of a board game pile.

Once you start collecting historical chess sets, preservation becomes your side hustle. Did you know that changes in humidity can cause wooden bishops to split and ivory rooks to crack?

That’s why serious collectors store their sets in climate-stable display cases — glass-front, UV-protected, and not under a leaky window.

Wait and see what I found in a museum care guide: never polish ivory... not even “just a little.” It can cause irreversible yellowing.

For wooden pieces, a soft cloth is fine. Remember: No wax, no oil.

Just gentle dusting and zero moisture drama. Don’t you think that’s unbelievable — how something carved 200 years ago can still hold its shape with just a little care?

While researching import regulations, I discovered that modern ivory bans prohibit the sale or trade of many older sets across international borders. Some antique pieces were made from elephant tusks, tortoiseshell, or even whale bone.

If you’re buying a set like that, make sure it’s documented as pre-ban and legal under your country’s laws. No collector wants to explain their hobby to customs.

And if you're buying from abroad, be sure to double-check the CITES rules.

What Makes Historical Chess Sets So Collectible?

You don’t have to wear gloves or whisper Latin to enjoy historical chess sets.

You just need to know what you’re looking at — and maybe what not to do (like sanding antique boards or storing bishops in sock drawers). Whether it’s a $60 Staunton replica or a Lewis replica from the House of Staunton, your collection starts with one piece that makes you look twice.

So go ahead — poke through dusty shelves, ask weird questions, follow the scent of old wood and older stories.

And when you find something strange? Please don’t clean it with furniture polish.