DFlyIre wrote:
Thank you so much for your view on this. It's been a big help. I really appreciate it.
With the greatest respect, don't listen to An_English_Knight. All of those repros are really off, and the knights are almost all terrible. In my experience, the only decent repro is from Staunton Castle, and it's this one:
It's not perfect by any means, but at least the knights resemble the Cooke knights from the original design. Everything else from other manufacturers, including Jaques (especially Jaques, actually) is WAY off the mark.
Well, the most accurate version of the Jaques set is, unsurprisingly, a Jaques set... 😊
https://www.jaqueslondon.co.uk/products/staunton-chess-set-mahogany
https://www.jaqueslondon.co.uk/products/staunton-chess-set-leather-casket
These two 1849 sets, are the original size king at 4.4 inch and made to special order, however, even
with a discount code, will still cost between £2,100 and £3,500.
Jaques do sell less expensive sets at smaller sizes but if it's the OG you want, that £2,100 set with the Mahogany casket would be the one to go for. It's a special set if you can afford it. Also budget for a large chess board as the 4.4 inch king has a base of 49mm
Edit: I just thought I would add this. Jaques also make a 4 inch version which is much more playable, and would fit nicely on a 60mm square board. Its the same design and quality but nearly a thousand pounds cheaper at £1,260 (At the time of writing) This would be my pick. Good luck. 🤗
https://www.jaqueslondon.co.uk/products/luxury-chess-set
You're joking, right? The sets that Jaques makes today (they don't actually make them - they buy them from a manufacturer in India) look nothing like the sets the company made in 1849. Jaques sets today are not only poorly made...they are massively overpriced.