Morphy set question

I don't think it's written what board was used. Perhaps it was this board of Morphy's... it looks well used.

The 1 pictured was his personal set. I read the article showing this photo. Beautiful set. I'm looking to get a replica. But im wondering if he brought this to Europe?

@plastic442 I can't find any articles about what sets Morphy traveled with. It looks like a foldable leather board so I imagine it is something he could travel with.

We'd also have to think, was the Opera House match planned in advance or did the host(s) spontaneously challenge Morphy? I don't bring a chess board to the opera. Does Hikaru or Carlsen bring a chess board when they go to the opera? I can imagine a feigned "ohhh, what's that chess board doing in my private box seat" from the Duke or Count, lol. In that case, it likely wasn't Morphy's chess set.

@chesslover0003 I get it. I had the same thought. I'm starting to think it was prearranged but why at an opera? I'm thinking that maybe they thought the music would distract morphy from playing his best? That all makes sense. Now if the Duke had brought the set what set would it have been? And what was the height of the king in Morphy's personal set? I'm trying to find out all this cause I want a replica set as stated.

I was reading a bit more. It was the Duke's box at the opera and he was known to play chess there. I expect it may have been his set. Morphy was there expecting to watch the opera. I'd guess it was a Jaques of London. I believe sizes were 3.5" ands 4".

If it was the Duke's, then perhaps it was ivory. If so, a true replica is out of the question

I can't find anything about the set that may have been used. I agree, if it was the Duke's set it could have been ivory. The Duke was wealthy and eccentric. He was also known for his flashiness with diamonds. He was serious about chess so I imagine it would have been a practical board for playing.

Many drawings depict a box at the opera with a chess table and this makes sense (but don't think this is based on any historical facts).

Ok so figuring out what the set was is out of the question. I'm going to buy a morphy replica anyway. Would have been cooler if there was a replica of the opera game for sale. Still it will be cool enough. Boxwood and ebony by jacques of london is the best info I have. Now to ask what year and height is the set pictured?

The set would have most likely been a French chess set design of the early to mid 1900th century. And most like made out of ivory given the wealth of both the Duke and the Count. As the Staunton chess sets were a English design, and came out in 1849. And was not a standard chess set used in France in 1858.

Here are examples of some popular French designs used in the mid 1900th century one of Ivory, and one of wood. More expensive Ivory chess sets of a French design often had a political theme or historical theme. Much like having a US Civil chess set today.

And the chess set pictured looks to be a Boxwood and Ebony Jaques chess set 1849 and would be 3.5 inches tall for the king.

According to the wikipedia article about the Duke, he was exiled from Germany in 1830 and lived mostly in Paris and London. A Jaques of London is still a possibility. As a person that adored chess, I also expect the Duke would have a "serious" chess set (i.e. club or tournament set rather than a themed set). Perhaps a set that stayed in his box seats at the Opera. He moved to Geneva after July 1870 (when the war between Germany and France started).

Here's an article about chess sets from 1700 to 1849. It might provide some hints. The Selenus Style also happens to be named after one of the Duke's ancestors. https://www.eldrbarry.net/hatr/chess/convent.htm

Since we don't know the set, why not just pick a Jaques of London reproduction using the style at the time? The "Anderson" knights.

Yes the Anderson is the way to go but what year?

If you want a connection to Morphy if that was the point. I am not sure why you want the Anderssen design. Since we know Morphy owned the Morphy. One of the first and greatest of the designs.

But you can not go wrong with any one you choose. They are all iconic and great.

I didn't know his was 1849 or 3.5. If you go on the net searching under morphy chess set they offer a 4.4 inch as well. Now I know and will look at the 49.

Sorry it was the 1850-51 Morphy.

You are using today's attitude and mine. To the elite of the 1850's in France. And correct we do not know the chess set used in the Opera game.

But a Ivory themed chess set was the fashion of the elite in France at the time. And was the chess set of status of the day to play chess. And was a serious chess set.

I would be shocked that a member of the elite would not own and use this status symbol of the elite to play chess. Even at the opera....

I also expect the Duke would have a "serious" chess set (i.e. club or tournament set rather than a themed set). 

@castletohorsey thank you. That's definitely it.