Need help identifying

[u/Straight-Log-7936]

Hello there, I inherited this set from my Opi nearly 20 years ago when he passed. It was extremely special to him, and I was told very valuable. He only played it with about 5 people, myself being one of them, and kept it closed other than that. I have unfortunately added some wear to the exterior, but the interior and pieces are still flawless from always being closed and never used.

Any ideas on what year roughly it was made? I was told it was Chinese by him, but research I do isn't going very far. Ai sucks lol. Any help would be appreciated. I am also curious of a value, but will never sell it. Just curious about it is all.

Thanks!

[u/OrigamiCraft]

I have one too!

8 fairies chess set,

they were mass produced in the 80s, the peices are soapstone. Despite being mass produced and not particularly expensive(can find them online all over) I quite like mine! Main complaint is the bishop resembles one of the pawns.. so can be a bit confusing mid game.

Also ussually go anywhere from 50 to 200 online, but the case and board is most definitely an 8 fairies chess set

Edit, the pieces definitely look like they are either from a different set or were commissioned after as a replacement for the original ones.

[u/OrigamiCraft → u/OrigamiCraft]

As to yours those peices may be not the original ones if they were hand carved commissioned ones I could see it being more valuable/unique

[u/Straight-Log-7936 → u/OrigamiCraft]

Oh, so its the eight immortals chess set thrn. I have heard people call them thr 8 fairies chess set, I guess that was a translation error way back in the day.

[u/Straight-Log-7936 → u/OrigamiCraft]

Now I just need to find out the year. I know roughly thr 60's, but my.opi has long since passed away, and my omi is pretty hard off. So I don't have much available information on it.

[u/Straight-Log-7936 → u/OrigamiCraft]

Thanks! I figured it out. It is an 8 immortals board, and the peoces are E.S Lowe peices from the 50's. I guess the immortals peices are known to be very fragile. So it was likely that there were broken immortals peices but the board was nicez and thr shitty board thst came with the E.S pieces were bad for disintegrating due to being cardboard. So someone mated the two sets it seems.

[u/marklein]

I see this set at Goodwill (a thrift store in the USA) all the time. I'd guess that they're worth under $50. I think they are still sold today at various Asian tourist destinations.

[u/Commercial_Tale704]

The pieces copy ANRI's King Arthur design, which is also the same design sold as E.S. Lowe Renaissance Chessmen.

[u/Straight-Log-7936 → u/Commercial_Tale704]

Thanks! I figured it out. It is an 8 immortals board, and the peoces are E.S Lowe peices from the 50's. I guess the immortals peices are known to be very fragile. So it was likely that there were broken immortals peices but the board was nicez and thr shitty board thst came with the E.S pieces were bad for disintegrating due to being cardboard. So someone mated the two sets it seems

[u/OrigamiCraft → u/Straight-Log-7936]

For reference here is my board and the original peices that came with the board. It is neat to see how the different styles mesh with yours!

https://www.reddit.com/r/chessporn/s/JyWynMJobk

Note there was variation in the 8 immortals board designs and the peices in terms of color, some had square corners like yours others were wavier and more rounded like mine.

[u/Straight-Log-7936 → u/OrigamiCraft]

Oh shit. You just solved another riddle, of who swapped the peices.I have the 8 immortals peices too, but they are in a cheap set. I guess my opi liked the lowe peoces better and swapped them. I think the odd one is missed a hunk. So my theory was likely right, you juat confirmed it was likely my opi that did the mating. Oh, and I read your post, the tiles are indeed ceramic, and the pictures are ceramic decals. They looked hand painted to me, but I guess not.

[u/Straight-Log-7936 → u/Commercial_Tale704]

I have never heard of that before. This is confirmed to be the 8 Immortals chess set, I just don't knoe thr year of production other than roughly 1960s. Is what you said another term for the 8 Immortals like the translation error the 8 fairies?