Rare chess sets on show in St Louis

Some of the oldest chess sets in the world go on show in the US this weekend. Two temporary exhibitions are on show at the World Chess Hall of Fame in the Central West End, St Louis, Missouri, and feature chess sets from the largest private chess collection in the world.

One exhibit is called Out of the Box, Artists Play Chess and features different artistic interpretations of the game of chess. Visitors can also enjoy the only two complete Faberge sets ever made. Entry costs a $3 suggested donation per person and a $5 suggested donation for families.

More rare chess sets will feature at the New York City Toy Fair later this month, including the Noble Collection Batman chess set, as well as the Lord of the Rings 10K solid gold ring and rare action figures from popular characters like Batman and Catwoman. The show takes place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan from February 12.

Auctions are also a brilliant place to view, or even bid for, rare chess sets. In 2009, a chess set rescued from a bonfire at Mostyn Hall in Flintshire fetched more than £10,000 at auction – twice the amount expected. They were rescued from a bonfire by butler James Baxter during the 1800s, and were sent to auction at Christie’s in London by his great grandchildren.