It was actually quite hard to put together a comprehensive list of Tolkien chess sets, a lot of them are referred to by sculpture, manufacturer, distributors/stockists (often multiple) and the same set can have different versions.
Mike Makras
70/80s
These are very, very rare as all figures are handmade.
Rooks: Hobbit Hole, Treebeard, Orthnic (sic), Gollum
Kn: Frodo, Smaug (sic), it's Bilbo in photo, Balrog, Smaug
B: Gandalf, Elrond, Nazgul, Great Goblin
Q: Galadriel, Shelob
K: Aragorn, Saruman
P:Kili, Fili, Dori, Oin, Ori, Dwalin, Thorin, Bilbo (pawn scale), Goblins (mixed), Orcs (mixed)
Kn: Frodo, Smaug (sic), it's Bilbo in photo, Balrog, Smaug
B: Gandalf, Elrond, Nazgul, Great Goblin
Q: Galadriel, Shelob
K: Aragorn, Saruman
P:Kili, Fili, Dori, Oin, Ori, Dwalin, Thorin, Bilbo (pawn scale), Goblins (mixed), Orcs (mixed)
Kingmaker
Tolkien Enterprises (1979)
The Tolkien Collectors Guide has some pictures
Unknown Producer
1970s?
Fellowship Foundry
Designed by artist Kevin O'har. |
Hobbit
1978
Fellowship vs Dark Forces
1980
Mascott
This specially commissioned theme chess set by the acclaimed English sculptor Dennis Fairweather really brings to life some of the amazing characters from the Tolkien classic. Each side has been sculpted separately resulting in 18 different models within the same Lord of the Rings chess piece set!
Hand Painted Large
6.75”
Plain Large
6.75”
Plain Small
3.125”
Royal Selangor
I believe all of these were designed by Graham Anthony, who now sells them himself (see his Blog page for more details).
Lord of the Rings (also sold as War of the Ring)
SWS131 - no longer in production
The first edition of this set, made back in the late seventies, had only 50 sets in the edition and changes hand for around aus$9000 (2017).
Details from Graeme Anthony site: Solid pewter Lord of the Rings chess set. Dimensions: 2.5"- 5" tall (pieces).This set was designed and created by Graeme Anthony and yes It is supposed to have 7 orc pawns and 1 gollom pawn on the dark side.The configuration of this set was worked out back in 1973 and the characters chosen were taken from all of Tolkiens books , hence it was called "The War of the Rings" and not "The Lord of the Rings".The reason I used Ents and Smaug as the Knights was because if you study the make up of chess sets before Lord Staunton standardized them you will notice that very early sets had Horses and Elephants and other animals as knights.I just followed suite.
Black pieces are. orc( pawn),Mordor( Castle), Smaug (knight), Saruman(bishop) , Shelob(queen), Sauron (king).
White pieces are. Hobbit (pawn),city of Tirion(rook), Ent (Knight). Gandalf(bishop). Galadriel (queen) Strider(king). Height 7cm to 13cm.
Battle of Middle Earth
Figures and board sold individually not as one set.
There are only 13 different pieces in the set, the bishops, rooks and knights are duplicated on each side.
There is an additional black pawn Gollum figure which is also part of the set.
Shot Glasses
This set is very expensive aus$1650 (2017).
Miniature Goblets
These were smaller than the full sized manufactures full sized Goblets.
Goblins and Elves/The Hobbit
Polished pewter and bronze chess pieces. Height of Kings 12cm and pawns are 6cm aus$985 (2017).
Goblins and Elves/The Hobbit (also sold under the Dal Rossi Italy brand) - not officially released under The Hobbit title.
Gordon Lee
Chessboard only (no figures)
Studio Anne Carlton
Based on the Jackson Movies
Reviews
http://www.regencychess.co.uk/blog/2012/09/lord-of-the-rings-chess-set-review/
double figure magazine
I've only found 1 vague reference to this Hobbit Movie set so I'm not sure if it actually exists.
Eaglemoss
Based on the Jackson movies.
These sets were published one piece at a time with a magazine.
Here is a video https://youtu.be/OOQv25Vqh9s
Series 1
single figure magazine
double figure magazine
Series 2
Series 3
Movies
These are low quality mass market.
Noble
Collectable
2002
Two Towers Character Pack
Sold separately.
Return of the King Character Pack
Sold separately.
Movie Trilogy
2019
Based on the Jackson movies.
Tudor Mint
2003
Danbury Mint
1993
Flyer
Franklin Mint
This is a limited edition set
Planeta DeAgostini
Vintage 32-piece collectors set from the prestigious Planeta DeAgostini company. The collection includes detailed chromed resin pieces based on the characters of the famous Tolkien's trilogy - The Lord of the Rings. The chess game is based on the Last Battle, where hobbits, elfs, and humans confront orcs, uruks and all the forces of the Dark Lord.
Bill Girard Lord of the Rings
