Looking for full-sized Staunton reproduction set up to $600

The title says it all. I would like to purchase a reproduction set (1849 or later). I prefer natural boxwood and ebony and king size of approx. 4.4 inches.

I found this set here:

https://chessantiques.com/product/nathaniel-cooke-1849-staunton-chessmen/

The HoS set seems like a nice set. Can I do better in this price range? I am looking for a set that conjures up the historic feel of the original sets the best.

I am not too knowledgeable on the niceties of the various reproduction sets (and their weaknesses), so your recommendation will be welcome.

I'm guessing you're boycotting ChessBazaar after your recent adventures? Might want to mention that in your post before half the recommendations you get will be CB products.

Yes, I would be very hesitant to buy from them. Do they sell the best reproduction sets within my price point?

If you want to gamble again with products straight from India, don't forget about Etsy and Ebay as resources. If the deal goes south, they act as intermediaries and have your back (as a buyer). 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/808983724/nathaniel-1849-antique-reproduction

https://www.ebay.com/itm/303894951452?hash=item46c18cf61c

The above are just suggestions to possibly broaden your scope for research. I don't personally endorse any of them. Do your careful research and due diligence with these overseas vendors, as I know you are fully aware unfortunately.

I bought 4 repro 1849-70 sets from Chessbazaar. I am completely satisfied with the quality of the pieces and their prices.  HOWEVER----I am still waiting for the replacements that Mr. Gupta sent to me on May 6,2021.  He no longer answers my email.  I sent the most recent email Sept. 5. CB,s customer service  is not what it was, when I started buying sets and coffers from them.   Unless CB improves their customer service, I will have to consider adding to my Jaques repro collection from other vendors.   Mr. Gupta, I hope that you are  reading this  post.   Edward  Dubin

If you want a Nathaniel set, look here https://stauntoncastle.com/collections/reproduced-antique-chess/products/1849-antique-reproduction-vintage-4-4-ebony-wood-chess-pieces You will be stunned by the quality. Enter Flat10 at checkout for a 10% discount. Staunton Castle and The Chess Empire each produce high quality pieces. Each has several reproductions that fit your description. For example, see https://stauntoncastle.com/collections/reproduced-antique-chess/products/vintage-reproduction-1850-55-staunton-ebony-antique-chess-pieces  I have this set and absolutely love it. But it is “ebonized”: https://stauntoncastle.com/collections/reproduced-antique-chess/products/jaques-reproduction-4-4-circa-1850-55-staunton-chess-set 

I am intrigued by the SC 1850-55 set in ebony. Yes, I would request the white pieces in regular boxwood, not antiqued. Richard, your set is the same, just ebonized, right? If so, the modest upcharge for ebony is not bad at all. 

Does anyone have the House of Staunton set I linked above? I am sure I could ask Frank to carefully look it over for cracks. Since this seems to be new old stock, possible cracks would have shown up by now, one would think.

I am curious how the Sc and HoS reproductions compare in terms of quality and attention to detail? Similar? 

Just seen a Facebook group post showing 1849 knight from official Staunton which looks very impressive



https://www.facebook.com/856368807760596/posts/4600799009984205/?d=n

@chessintexas The 1850 - 1855 SC set *might* be just an antiqued version of the Jaques Reproduction 1850 - 1855 set. As I recall, before Mandeep changed his site, that was in fact the description of the former set. Mandeep's descriptions are sometimes awkward or not clear. I have found him to be honest when I have asked him to clarify something. I see that at one point the description of the former set says "pure ebony." But at other places, the description refers to "ebonised" wood. So you should check with Mandeep, making clear that you want ebony wood. I understand that, at least as of several months ago, Mandeep does not stain his ebony pieces, but you might want to verify that as well, assuming you want unstained ebony.

Here is one at the top of your limit: https://www.thechessempire.com/exclusive-1849-series-chess-pieces-boxwood-ebony-4-4-king.html (there is a 10% off sale). TCE states that it is the only company authorized by Jaques to make reproductions. The odd thing is that the antique version seems to be $100 less. Perhaps Rishi of TCE would drop the price for the non-antique version since the antiquing should require more work.

In any event, TCE stains most of their ebony. But if you request unstained, Rishi will accommodate you.

You guys have been giving some generous and inspiring advice. I was on the fence about getting Frank's set directly from him. Ultimately, I decided to go with Staunton Castle. I had a nice and involved chat with Mandeep and really appreciated his willingness to talk to me individually. I am getting the 1850-55 set that Richard has, albeit mine is in ebony. With discount it came to $350ish. It is a beautiful set. The differences are subtle, but I like it a bit better than the other styles. Mandeep said they don't stain their ebony at all (which I really like). Also, I requested natural boxwood for the white pieces, to which he agreed.

I also chose Staunton Castle because they can replace two cracked pieces from an older set I have and love (identical to their 4.4 in set with the bridled knights). A new white king plus an ebony bishop for $32. I think that's very reasonable. Incidentally, I keep the humidity in my house quite stable, and the cracks resulted from my storing that set in a very dry location one winter. 

Anyway, I am happily awaiting my new pieces. Wish me luck this time! I'll report back with whatever I shall receive. 

Congratulations. I wish I had thought to ask for ebony but I love my set. I hope you post about the set when you get it.

I have the Official Staunton but antiqued and it's very nice although due to its size, 4.4", its also my least used set. I actually almost sold it. I really like SC 1849 in 3.75" and I really like the feel, weight balance of it. I'm not sure about the SC 4.4" version but based on my experience SC's sets are really nice.  

I own the O.S. 1849 Limited Edition. Antiqued set....I can't see any reason why this beautiful repro would be considered inappropriate  for playing at all.

@RichardHG — can I ask how you contacted Mandeep? I sent him a message here on chess.com a few weeks back, but maybe he doesn’t check his account. Just wondering if phone, email or the online chat is the best way to contact SC.

It's nothing to do with the sets quality and is solely do to its size of 4.4".  It's a bit too big for the 2.25" boards my club uses and my friends almost solely own 2" -2.25" wood boards too. Other than the table used for board 1 the tables are too small to comfortably use a 2 3/8" mousepad and the 4.4" pieces feel cramped on the 2.25" boards. When I go over to friends homes I usually bring a wood set too but they almost exclusively own 2"-2.25" boards with the 2" ones all being Druekes boards that they've had for years. I have brought my 2 3/8 inch mousepad a few times but it's nicer to play on wood boards. All my other sets are 3.5"-4" so I end up using them way more than my 4.4" which basically only gets played when I have company over. I just want to repeat I really do love the set I just use it the least of all my sets. 

I agree, my biggest size sets are 3.75" except I have one set bigger which is 4.67". I've played couple of times on a suitable board (75mm ss) and it's just to huge for normal play. I imagine 4.4" sets are the same.

@Kohpablanca I mostly corresponded with Mandeep via email. We also chatted via the pop-up on the bottom right of the web page that says, "We are here." His responsiveness to emails has been a bit uneven in the past. I would suggest your subject line be something like "Possible Purchase." This page lists his contact information, including a phone number.  https://stauntoncastle.com/pages/contact-us I used the stauntoncastle gmail address. Based on my experience and communications with Mandeep, which have been several, I suspect the worst way to reach Mandeep is via chess.com.

I notice that @chessintexas in post 14 of this thread says that he talked with Mandeep.

I've become less a slave to the proportion rules about square size. If the mood hits and I want to look at and touch a particular set, that's what I'll use. Sometimes I rotate through the relatively few sets that I own, just enjoy each anew. I should add that much of this time is using the set myself instead of across-the-board play, though there is certainly some of that.