Thursday, May 3, 2012

chess and so forth...


I decided to shake things up a bit this week and went to G-Dub (my local Goodwill store) on Thursday, instead of my usual Friday.  I came home with two books:  Woody Allen on Woody Allen, and Theodore Rex, by Edmund Morris, a vintage Romanian etched glass lidded biscuit jar, and a lovely wooden box of vintage chess pieces.  Everything behind the counter was fifty percent off, so the chess set was $4.99.

After a little poking around online, I found that it's a German Staunton boxwood chess set from about the 1940s or 50s.  It's got a wonderful patina, and the knight is slightly varied from the classic Staunton traditional set.  The Staunton pattern was registered in March of 1849, but chess has been around forever.  They say it originated in India in the sixth century, as a game of military strategy, and since has been Europeanized, and modified over the centuries, to the game we know today.

When I was a little girl, I learned to play on a Medieval style King Arthur set from the late 1950s.  I enjoy chess, but don't have the opportunity to  play as much as I would like.

Speaking of, the sexiest chess game, hands down, would have to be that between Faye Dunaway and Steve McQueen in The Thomas Crown Affair, 1968.  Hot checkmate. Very hot.


For those of you who get a thrill from seeing the price tag...
here it is...before the 50% discount...
at
Labels: , , , , , ,

18 comments:

  1. ElizabethThu May 03, 10:19:00 PM

    Sometimes I think you're making this stuff up that you find at the GW. I say that with a big smile, though, because whether you do or not, you spin such a fine post around it. Thanks for reminding me of that movie; I haven't seen it in ages and will download it pronto!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tess KincaidThu May 03, 10:22:00 PM

    It's the truth...I actually took a picture of the price...$9.99 before the 50% discount...I'll add the pic...as evidence...giggle...

    ReplyDelete
  3. jeanette from everton terraceThu May 03, 10:22:00 PM

    I haven't been to the Dub in ages. Would love to see that biscuit jar!
    You know I loved the remake of The Thomas Crown Affair - mostly because of her fabulous clothes, but don't think I've ever seen the original - must remedy that soon.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tess KincaidThu May 03, 10:26:00 PM

    Jeanette, the original is so much better! I'll post the biscuit jar next week...

    ReplyDelete
  5. kaykualaThu May 03, 10:57:00 PM

    I marvel at your finesse in getting gems at giveaway prices, Tess! It need not be expensive crystals but simple wood with a history. Great write, Ma'am!

    Hank

    ReplyDelete
  6. Rob-bearThu May 03, 11:18:00 PM

    Another pricing "checkmate," Tess. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Cro MagnonFri May 04, 12:36:00 AM

    I think I have the exact same set. I used it to teach my children the game. Staunton pieces are the only ones to play with; fancy pieces are SO distracting!

    Are you blackmailing someone behind the counter? You seem to have a suspicious amount of BARGAINS!

    ReplyDelete
  8. MartinFri May 04, 02:09:00 AM

    Nice move, Tess.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousFri May 04, 08:24:00 AM

    Nice find. They know how to price the good stuff around here. No deals like you've been finding.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Rubye JackFri May 04, 01:49:00 PM

    The Goodwill stores down in Southern California were so good that you could find stuff like this often. Hereabouts, the hunting is not quite so lucrative but the thrill is still there.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousFri May 04, 03:57:00 PM

    Chess. Oh yes. I taught my kids how to play. I beat them all. But when they grew up, they really beat me. I seldom ask them to play nowadays as they don't get here that often and by the time we are done visiting, it is too late for game of chess. I also like checkers.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Tess KincaidFri May 04, 04:23:00 PM

    Cro...I am an expert at turning on my charm to dicker...but there's no haggling to be had at Goodwill...blackmail either...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Tess KincaidFri May 04, 04:24:00 PM

    Abe, I love Scrabble...checkers...eh not so much...

    ReplyDelete
  14. Cat or DogFri May 04, 04:57:00 PM

    Knight to Queen's Bishop 3. And if that turns you on, I have some others too...

    ReplyDelete
  15. GarySat May 05, 12:27:00 PM

    Another great find.

    ReplyDelete
  16. TeriSun May 06, 12:18:00 AM

    Every time I read your posts about something you have found at Goodwill, I think that I will be just as lucky. We must have a really awful one here because I hardly ever come home with anything that looks worthwhile. Maybe I need to come and visit you and snoop around a bit!

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousTue May 08, 04:10:00 AM

    My father had a chess set exactly like this ...

    ReplyDelete
  18. Alan BurnettTue May 08, 01:19:00 PM

    I'll give you a game Tess - although I fear it will have to be via Facebook rather than with that splendid set.

    ReplyDelete

Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)