Anri carved wood Camelot set, c1972

I had owned a much large Anri set (the 5.7" Versailles) before I found this smaller one (3.5") - I had (reluctantly and with regret!) let the large set go to a fellow collector, so was very pleased when I could bring this quality Anri set back into my collection.  If you have ever handled an Anri set in real life, you will know the unmistakable smell as you open the teak case to reveal the beautifully hand carved alpine maple pieces.

This is the Camelot model, which was made between 1961 and 1984; I believe this particular set was made circa 1972 (a good year) for two reasons: the first is that the small stickers on the set, I believe, give a date range of 1969 to 1979; the second is that the set was accompanied by a British Chess Federation booklet, dated to 1972.  Both set and booklet appear unused.

The quality of my Versailles set was outstanding - and I was very pleasantly surprised that the quality of carving and painting is of a similar high level with this smaller set - which makes the set almost feel of a higher quality (anyone can paint a big set well, right?).  The gold and silver crowns of the royals really shine with a bright metallic lustre, with the other colours on the cloaks and outfits beautifully blended and delicately painted.