The Chess Collectors International which promotes the collection of chess sets, will be auctioning chess sets and boards on May 1st, 2008 at 2 p.m. (Eastern time). The aution will be taking place at the Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches in South Florida.Chess lovers and collectors can view the full catalog and bid on these items at http://agopb.com/

Official Press Release from CCI

Exotic chess sets from around the world will cross the block May 1 when Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches hosts the CCI Auction.

(WEST PALM BEACH, FL) – In conjunction with Chess Collectors International’s 13th Biennial Convention in Boca Raton April 29 – May 4, 2008.

Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches will host the CCI Biennial Auction of chess sets, memorabilia and related ephemera from around the world on May 1, 2008.

This will be the first major chess set auction in the United States since the last CCI Convention in the U.S. in Philadelphia in 2002.

This Convention and auction will be will be held in conjunction with U.S. Seniors Open Chess Tournament to be held in Boca Raton.

The sale will consist of over 140 lots of antique and modern chess sets and related items consigned by members of CCI and members of the public.

Consignment is open to the public as is the auction. The inventory will include lots like an 18th century Burmese carved figural set, an English 19th century turned ivory set , a 19th century English bone traveling set and an elaborate 18th/19th century French/German Dieppe style carved bone figural set with leather hats.

Also included will be a Russian carved mammoth ivory “Knights” figural chess set by Russian sculptor Oleg Raikis, a J. Jaques boxwood and ebony tournament play set from Frank Marshall, U.S. Chess Champion from 1909 to 1936, an exotic Egyptian carved ivory “Pharaoh” figural set, a rare Dominican carved amber “Medieval” figural set, a German 19th century wood, plaster and lead “medieval” figural set and a 19th/20th century Chinese export carved ivory figural set.

The sale will be carried live online by LiveAuctioneers.com and Auction owner Brian Kogan says this may turn out to be one of the largest online chess related sales in history.

Extra phone lines will be installed and absentee bids are welcomed.

Preview for the sale will be April 29 – May 1 at the Gallery located at 1609 South Dixie Hwy, Suite 5, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401. A catalog with approximately forty illustrations will be available.

For more information about this sale call (561) 805-7115, email info@agopb.com or visit the website at http://www.agopb.com

Written by: Fred Taylor