r/chessporn • u/EnPassant01 • 10d ago
Wooden Drueke 82040 Chess Set?
I recently obtained this set that appears to be a Drueke 82040, sold in the 1980s-1990s. It is weighted and felted with King height of 3.5". Some describe this set as American Staunton, while others say it was made for Drueke in India. Early versions were made from Indian Rosewood (now endangered) and maple. I do believe this is Indian Rosewood due to the dark and contrasting grain. I don't think the lighter wood is boxwood because it has clear and denser grain. The bishops are distinctive with an angular head, but appear skinnier than other Drueke examples I've seen. Later 82040 sets may have changed to a different style bishop. Any confirmation or clarification of manufacturer and origin is appreciated.
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u/BackToTheBasic 9d ago edited 9d ago
It is the same style as the 82040, but the Drueke branded set and all the other similar sets were made in India and were pretty widely distributed and imported by a bunch of companies, not just Drueke, and probably made and copied by multiple manufacturers. To know if it was labeled and sold as a Drueke you need the box or packaging. "Drueke 82040 style set" would be accurate. In the end, IMO it doesn't really matter. The set can be evaluated on its own for craftsmanship and design. Being labeled as Drueke doesn't make it a better or worse set, since Drueke didn't actually make the 82040 sets. I have seen very nice versions of this set and others not so much.