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ALCOA Aluminum Chess Set by Austin Cox,1962

$ 528

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Condition: Excellent
  • Material: Aluminum
  • Color: Black, silver
  • Year: 1962
  • Brand: Alcoa
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted

    Description

    Genuine original COMPLETE set with the board.
    Fast insured secure shipping.
    Info from the web
    Description
    ALCOA Aluminum Chess Pieces
    These are the famous ALCOA Aluminum Chess Pieces. In 1962, the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) launched a marketing program to advance the selling of their aluminum products. The game of chess was chosen as the vehicle for this campaign as it is associated with intelligence and problem solving. As a result of a design and marketing collaboration, there emerged a strikingly beautiful, very modernistic, abstract chess set designed by Austin E. Cox A.S.I.D. of “Austin Enterprises” and the advertising agency of Ketchum, McLeod & Grove. ALCOA had these mesmerizing sets produced to give to their top customers. This was a fittingly strategic move, since the companies ALCOA currently serviced, or wished to do business with, could proudly display the set with, its ALCOA DNA, in their offices.
    The 32 pieces of minimalist design were cut from aluminum bars; the white army appearing in a natural aluminum finish, with the black army differentiated by black anodized sides with natural aluminum faces. The pieces range in size from 4 7/8″ for the King down to 3″ for the pawns. The pieces are strikingly abstract in form. The Queen is represented by a crown, the Bishop by a simple cross, the Knight is a shield and the King is, fittingly, the symbol of ALCOA. All pieces bear a stamp on their undersides:
    1962 Austin Enterprises
    .
    The ALCOA Aluminum Abstract Chess Pieces are shipped in their original conforming walnut case with a blue tinted Plexiglas sliding door. The Walnut case measures 31″ by 6″. The pieces are in like-new condition. The board is 19"x19".
    On Jul-10-21 at 08:13:33 PDT, seller added the following information:
    It has been asked if the board is actually original.
    The board and set was located together many years ago.
    The frame of the board is aluminum.
    The design and build of the board is such that it is not a cheap item.
    The field is a felt type surface, the edges are recessed from the frame.
    The pieces fit the squares in a nice proportion.
    The board is not signed.
    I would argue that it is much more likely that the board IS original than just a random board that happens to match the set so well.
    On Jul-10-21 at 08:35:40 PDT, seller added the following information:
    NOTE: close up photos added for the board. ALSO note that there are slight damage to the aluminum edge of the board. Minor bends probably due to drops over 49 years.
    On Jul-10-21 at 08:48:47 PDT, seller added the following information:
    It has been said the photos do not produce well.
    The case has a transparent blue cover, as it should.
    The pieces are stamped (signed) on the bottoms.
    The case doesn't have any labeling on it but it has to be correct.