*SOLD* Botannikum-Flora (Botvinnik-Flohr); Vintage Soviet Tournament Set (Stalin Era), circa 1950

Botannikum-Flora (Botvinnik-Flohr II); 32 wooden chessmen without board, light brown v. dark brown, Soviet (Stalin Era), circa 1950. Height: King 10.5cm, wt 37g base width 4.3cm, Queen 9.7cm wt 35g, Bishop 8.5cm, Knight 7cm, Rook 6.5cm, Pawn 5.5cm; W: antiqued red felt bases B: same

A classic set made famous by the Moscow International Tournament of 1935, when Botvinnik and Flohr shared the purse for 1st place while the great Emanuel Lasker and the Cuban legend, Capablanca, placed 3rd and 4th respectively. These pieces were widely used throughout the USSR between 1935 and 1960 and in the words of Chuck Grau, the foremost U.S. collector of chess memorabilia, are one of “the most iconic Soviet designs ever produced.” The pieces are all from the era stated, however, some of the pawns and a bishop may be from other similar BF sets, which is reflected in the price.

The pieces are UV resistant and ideal for display as well as casual play. Both kings carry the hand-painted iridescent gold signature of the artist on their bases (as the project was started in 2019).

Ref code BF19