1849 Jaques Reproduction - Chess Villa

@Powderdigit I don't recall whether or not you've mentioned the square size of this board, so, would you mind?

Hi , try https://www.antiquechessshop.com/ maybe Tim can help you or keep & eye on ebay , it's a pain when you have something missing from a set , Good luck .

Thank you. I had already tried Tim without success. Hoping for a part set to come up on eBay. Kind regards.

The original Staunton design has always been my favorite, I own a couple of them and one in the exact stain which was used on the set you purchased. The pieces are gorgeous, they are elegant, they are classic and they are historic. I always love seeing photos of the 1849 on different boards. I don't really like them crowded on the smaller boards but that's just my preference. Thanks for sharing.

My apologies for the delayed response / 2” or 5.08cm. The initials photos are on a board with 6cm squares. 👍

Thanks @Powderdigit. As I've noted before, I really do like that board...it's my favorite. And truth be told, I had one made with (my estimated dimensions of) that raised border, with 2" squares. My 3.4" Jaques (repro) feels too small for this board, even though some may say that it suits the sizing 'guidelines'. But to me, I had been in search of a more suitable (to me) Jaques style set.

When you posted this set from Chess Villa, what I saw, was very many of the characteristics that I like, and none that I didn't like. But the sale price had jumped up considerably. Well last night I noticed a 55% off coupon on Etsy for this set and pulled the trigger. I also have boards with 53mm and 57mm squares, but to my eyes, this 51mm sizing, on this style board, doesn't feel cramped. To me, it's cozy, and quaint.

When I receive my set, I'll be sure to add my thoughts here, along with pics of my imitation of your board. (I believe there is an appropriate Oscar Wilde quote around here somewhere).

Thanks @Powderdigit.

Great set. The mahogany staining was done nicely.

Thanks Andy and everyone for your thoughts and feedback. I always get slightly nervous when people purchase sets based on my views and photos - for the only reason that we all have different tastes and expectations. That said, I hope you enjoy them, like I do and that you get good service too. As we all know - sometimes service and quality can fluctuate and it’s a bit of a lottery. Another additional element that I like about this set is the weight - not too heavy, not too light …goldilocks.😉

Here are the pieces on another of my vintage boards. I think this combination is attractive.

Absolutely love that set! Almost in the God Tier category.

I’ve been enjoying this thread - thanks Powder. I haven’t got a set in exactly this category (the closest are perhaps a ‘Stroud Club 3.25”’ or a ‘Hallett 1860’, both from Staunton Castle). Spurred on by Powder’s post, I’ve come across this ‘Nathaniel 1849’ set offered in 4 variants by Staunton Castle. Anyone familiar with it?

Hi @Baudouin27 - I’m am not familiar with it but it looks good. 👍

Last week I found an old box and refurbished it - I think it is appropriate storage my new set. 👍
Whether the pieces are jumbled or arranged in an orderly manner, I pop some foam on top and everything stays snug. 👍

I received my set a week ago from Chess Villa, and with what seemed to be very quick shipping from India via DHL. Shipping only took 5 days from the time I clicked 'buy' to arriving at my doorstep. Thanks to @Powderdigit for posting this set, and to @magictwanger for triggering a chain of events which led me to this particular purchase.

Here's a look of the set's fit on this imitation Powderdigit board with 51mm squares. Maybe not per FIDE sizing guidelines, but very cozy and quaint (my preference ).

For this set, an antiqued/distressed 1849 Cooke repro, I expected imperfections ... "perfect imperfections" as someone here has noted. Yes, the slightly antiqued coloration, along with simulated 'years of grime', paired with mahogany stain that's perfectly not perfect.

I never really liked the king's side stamps on the knights and rooks. I'm glad to see this repro lacking those often red stamps which sometimes seem to bleed/smear.

Maybe trivial, but even the heads of the pawns are perfectly imperfect spheres. It's a good thing to have characteristic features in what is half of all the pieces.

The weight and balance is something which can't be perceived by pictures. My set came in at 1268 grams total for 34 pieces. As noted by @Powderdigit, it seems 'just right'. In part, the distribution of weight seems to be 'just right', being that the king, though heaviest, is not so overly heavier than the rest of the pieces. After about 10 games, I never had the somewhat surprised sense of 'this is too heavy' or 'this seems too light'...not even with the pawns.

Admittedly, and probably for most, I'll never pursue an original 1849 Jaques of London production of Nathanial Cooke's design. Instead, this set will just have to do (for me anyway), and it does it so very nicely.

I as noted earlier / I get nervous when people buy on the back of my observations … so I am both stoked that you like it and relieved at the same time! We all have different expectations and wants … so it is pleasing that this set satisfies you, as it did me. Also, I agree with you on the delivery … albeit my initial order got delayed due to the wonderful Diwali celebrations… once it hit the international courier it came very fast. Great stuff.

Wow @Yenster1, looks like you will be glad you viewed Mark’s pictures and purchase, along with @magictwanger’s initial review. Very nice setup! (Now you just gotta be patient for the patina to manifest…)

Great pics…happy for you. 👍🏽👍🏽

No problem - a few thousand games with the requisite cigar smoke and whiskey should fix 'em right up!

👍GPD … this is exactly why antique finishes do not replicate patina; where’s the years of knocks, accidental beer spills, dirty fingers that have just eaten a hot chip from the bowl that’s sits aside the board while playing at the pub…. That’s why I don’t buy finishes because they look old rather I just really like the colour or stain … for me it’s about aesthetics not faking patina.

I'm really happy for you Powder and of course Yenster. Chess Villa was just so easy to deal with as well as incredibly responsive and caring that they deserve the business. It's not too often that a seller repeatedly thanks a consumer as many times as Chess Villa did to me. This prior to you folks placing your orders....Imo, they deserve the business.

Enjoy those fine pieces.