- Toy Co. Selenus Set -
This mid 19th century South German 'Toy' Selenus set is the finest in my collection at the moment. Pieces are turned fruit wood. Kings 4.75". I acquired it for a low price in a once in a lifetime eBay buy then had it restored professionally by Alan Dewey, making it into a bit more of an investment, but it's been appraised at a much higher value than I've put into it anyway. Compared with other Selenus sets, the most unique feature of this particular pattern is presence of painted faces on bishops and royal pieces. I've heard these referred to as 'Toy Style' faces, named after the company I believe carved these, Toy Co.
An elaborate German Selenus set from Toy Co.
Rooks represented as are bell towers, complete with ringers.
(If you pick up the rook and shake it it actually rings as much as a wooden bell can.)
White knight.
Royal pieces.
(This picture predates the repairs, note the short rook in the background; it was missing it's floral crown section entirely.)
Toy faces.
A bishop infiltrates the enemy position.
A wooden soldier perhaps?
White queen and rook look on.
This picture predates the repairs, note the obliterated floral crown on the middle-ground knight as well as the of the foreground knight's crown and the missing feather in the background bishop's cap. All of these are fixed now, but I still like some of the old pictures.
Presentation shot.