My Official Staunton 1851 Reproduction Review

Thanks, Draw. Glad you enjoyed them.

You're very welcome, Wrm. It's quite reasonably priced for the high level of quality.

Chessbazaar introduced a 1851 jaques repro chess set, and by the looks, the set looks great : http://www.chessbazaar.com/reproduced-1851-staunton-pattern-chess-set-in-ebony-antiqued-box-wood-with-king-side-stamping-4-3-king.html?___SID=U.  I just ordered this set, Will post pics & review when it arrives. :)

 

The knights are a welcome sight for CB.  Set looks overall 100% better than the 1849 set. Just my opinion. But learning that this will eventually go on sale with a free briefcase storage as the 1849 did or a discount of 20%, I will wait for the 9 months or so. Why they didn't issue a COA is beyond me. A sheet of paper or cardboard is cheap and if it has nice graphics on it it puts the finishing touches on the set. They issued one for the 1849 set why not this set?  

For me COA is just a piece of paper.  hardly matters for me. May be they will come up with the free briefcase or 20% offer next year but I can't wait for that long. I already own two storage boxes so I don't need another one. For me, quality matters more than quantity. This reproduction also offers kingside knights and rooks stamping that gives you authentic Jaques feel :). For me this is the closest reproduction of 1851 and for that I must applaud CB and their carvers for this magnificent job. I'll let you know how it feels when the pieces will be in my hands.

Thanks for posting, Rulez. Chess Bazaar's marketing department couldn't have said it any better. 

I realize a COA is just a piece of card board in the case of the 1849 set. But I have one for that set numbered #3 and it sure looks nice and will be helpful when and if I sell it some day.  If it is so low cost why not issue it?  

Anyways too bad they didn't carve the 1849 set as well as this 1851. I guess they finally found a carver that had more than one design in his/her head.

I think a COA makes sence when there is something autenthic about the product. Otherwhise it is just  a silly gimmick that means nothing.

I have mock HOS before becouse their constant "limited editions" they do, literaly, all the time.

There is nothing "autenthic" or "limited" on a mass produced set from India. And trying to highjack the price with this silly excuses is oustrageus.

What the COA does is put the seller's brand with the set. If you go sell a set most of the time the buyer has to believe what the seller says. The COA at least states the origin of the set. Most people do not keep receipts and the reciept doesn't tell you if that particular set is from a particular vendor since the set would usually not have the makers mark on it. I like the fact that a couple of Official Staunton sets come with their name stamped on the King, that is even better than a COA.  If your just going to play with a set then a COA doesn't matter, but it also doesn't raise the price of the set either, 

Good points for a COA Mike

Rulez, I agree with you about the kingside stamping. I like the authenticity of that. I'm wondering what you're looking at when you offer the opinion that this is "the closest reproduction of 1851." Which original sets are you referring to when you make that claim. Do you have some photos you can share? When I look at the photos on Alan Fersht's site, I really can't pick out which set or sets this Chess Bazaar set is attempting to reproduce, except in a general sense. Help me. To me, the Chess Bazaar knight is a better carving than what they offered with their 1849 set, but it seems disproportionately large when I compare the CB 1851 set to those Mr. Fersht posts.

I agree with you cgrau, the set looks good, but the knight is huge compared to classical staunton knights, and though better than the previous one not as good as those knights by OS. Still, at this price I am thinking about it, if a box will be included in the future I may buy it.

I would guess it would just like the 1849 was after a while. That's what I am waiting for too, even if I have to wait till the summer which I might.

totally agree.

I am searching for that post but I am not getting that page where I have seen the picture of original 1851 chess set.

Isn't the King out of proportion to the rest of the pieces?

I wholly agree. "L'etat, c'est moi."

Thanks, Frank.

Thank you both for your responses,at any rate it is a beautiful set.