Companies copying the House of Staunton designs

Every time Frank Camaratta from HOS puts out a new chess design other companies like Chess Bazaar start selling the same set at a cheaper price and inferior quality. 

Hence my refusal to purchase anything from Indian vendors, ever. Design theft and abhorrent business practices are their norm and there is no effective recourse for their victims. But does my position matter in any real sense? Of course not. But. It. Matters. To. Me.

Which HOS design are you referring to?

I guess I would have to wonder if HoS only sells their own original chess designs ... or might they also sell copies of other people's designs. I'm also wondering if HoS manufactures all of their chess pieces in Alabama ... or might they source much of their chess pieces from India.

I believe many of the sets—including some sold by HoS—are designed by Mandeep Saggu, Rajesh Sharma, and Bhupinder Singh.

And yes, most chess sets are produced in India; virtually all large chess companies in the US and Canada hire Indian artisans. Besides that, there is Noj from Slovenia who makes their own sets, and several Ukrainian chess set makers who produce and sell their own sets, like ER Wood Leather Shop, Oldset (Andriy Titovski) until his death in February, Alexander Chelnokov, Sergey Kovalenko, and Mykhailo Kovalenko (ChessUSSR).

R.I.P.

A ‘spin our wheels’ topic, but one we have all probably thought about from time to time. I’m sure many here have had exchanges with Frank Camaratta on the topic. For whatever it’s worth (not much), I’m of two minds (and occasionally 3 or 4!).

Amritsar has become the center of production. They have developed the skills to produce what few others can. Something to be thankful for. And like all craft, there is a certain common feeling in pieces originating there, though different levels of quality between the makers. It does get boring to see the same design reproduced again and again - even when I like one, I’m very reluctant to spend money on them.

House of Staunton and other suppliers contract with Amritsar producers. What is different in purchasing from HoS vs direct is a guarantee of a certain level of quality, at least that has been my experience repeatedly. Most recently, I ordered a Zagreb ‘59 set (FC’s design - copied by everyone) from Amritsar direct. I was unhappy with the crooked manes. I ordered a second set from another maker. Some quality issues and proportions that just didn’t live up to expectations. I finally ordered from HoS. The pieces were slightly, but perceptibly more substantial/robust in look and feel - and the proportions were perfect. The finish was perfect. And from past experience, I knew HoS would stand behind the product. Still, all were made in Amritsar, but HoS holds makers to a high standard.

I’ll add that the few sets I have from Staunton Castle have been top quality - confirmed also by someone at HoS, which has, at least in the past, worked with Mandeep.

All that said, there is a high level of art available *for a price* from makers like NOJ, ANRI (once upon a time), makers in Ukraine, and a few others - emphasis on ‘few’ and ‘for a price’. And then there is the vintage and antique market (anyone have an Isle of Lewis original for sale? 😁).

Not forgetting Oleg Raikis , who I think is the best in today's Market .

Yeah I would say your judging the competing brads to harshly. One as mentioned almost all of the chess pieces are made in Amritsar India anyway by various other companies. And Chessbazzar's quality has gone way up over the last 4 years, however just like the other companies it sources it's chess pieces from several different chess makers in Amritsar India. With that said I preferer to buy almost everything else other than the chess pieces themselves from House of Staunton. I just find the prices for the chess pieces on House of Staunton to be twice as high, and therefore when I spend in higher 300 to 500 dollar range I rather just buy a real antique chess pieces on E-bay or Etsy. House of Staunton on the other hand has a very nice selection of Spanish wood veneer boards, (they also have nice Chinese knockoff boards as well make sure to read the description and make sure its from Spain). HoS chess boxes work very well however they are not made of real wood, I do prefer the HoS boxes anyway tho. HoS also has very good chess board bags too. I also so think HoS has the best selection of plastic chess pieces as well (these plastic chess pieces are also made in India). So it really just depends on what your goals are if you are collecting chess sets or just need usable equipment.