Reproduction and Real Jaques of London Chess Set

All I know is that I really like the Leuchars set I bought from Carl very recently (it arrived just 6 days ago).

The individual pieces are all of high quality, and from what I see on various web sites, the piece and set design is very true to the originals.

Yes, this is a 3.75" KIng sized set and not the big one Uthor complains of.

But from what I have seen and experienced, Carl does an outstanding job at chess set reproduction.

there is malice in your actions Charles as you are now posting your crass comments in all other posts ....

 

for anyone who is interested the below features and original Leuchars overstamped set and our reproduction of it.  

I will be closing this account as truthfully cannot be bothered with idiots spouting nonsense with malicious intent.  His assumption is of course " unless you spend $3,500 you wont get an accurate reproduction! and the inference here is to the splendid Frank Camarrata 1849 to which I wholeheartedly applaud. 

 

anyone interested in buying quality chess sets, boards etc and of course reproductions, do email me or facebook a message, I will keep those who are interested up to speed with new designs etc and of course you will qualify for great discounts..... thanks for the positive and also the constructive criticism as it all helped with my goal of offering great chess sets at affordability.

 

 

Lmao!

Malice, lol!

I posted in one other forum:

Comparative Review: Official Staunton 1849, 1851, and 1870 Chess Sets

Author-RC MacMillan

A few months ago I contacted RC personally and asked if he had the actual dimensions of an 1849 Jaques large club set.

His answer was no and that the few people who do know have kept the information to themselves.

I told him I would give him the information if I ever obtained it.

Since I'm going to reveal the information I thought I'd better tell him too, in case he's not reading this forum.

Carl if you've know the actual dimensions then why have you sold reproductions that you knew weren't correct?

I just want to buy a nice Jaques 1849 large club chess set with the correct dimensions.

Is that asking to much?

I also want different 1849 knights than the ones they reproduce now, but as I said that's my own issue.

I hope you change your mind, Carl. There's many of us here who appreciate what you do. I've sent you a private email as well.

 

 

Gentlemen, go to Google and see if you can find the dimensions of a Jaques 1849 large club chess set.

If you ask HOS what the dimensions of there 1849 exact replica set is, they respond with:

"That is proprietary information"

I have both of Alan Fersht's books.

They are excellent and I recommend them if you can get them.

However they mysteriously don't give any dimensions or weights except for king sizes.

I emailed Sir Alan asking for the dimensions and he said he would do it, if he ever got the time.

When I asked the great chess set restorer Alan Dewey for the information he said he didn't have it right now and he'd have to wait until he restores another one!

It wasn't until I asked the man with greatest chess set collection in the world (as far as I know) that I obtained this information.

I arrived at work with an email from Jon Crumiller that said, "Here's the information you asked for"

This actually makes since when you think about it.

Jon already has the real chess sets and doesn't have any reason to keep the information a secret!

He has no motive to be a part of the conspiracy!

LOL!

But what is the conspiracy?

I'm trying to figure out why this has been kept a secret?

So, I'm still asking if anyone knows why this information has been treated like Top Secret Nuclear Launch Codes instead of the dimensions of rather small game pieces?

Any ideas?

Carl, I have all your Jaques reproductions and I love them all. Your Jaques reproductions are accurate representaions in my opinion and that's all that counts. I 'm sure the majority of collectors who had purchased your sets will agree.  Many thanks for offering  premium quality reproductuion sets to passionate collectors like myself.  Please DO NOT close your account because of one "wannabe collector".  Closing your account would be a grave disservice to the many members who love your input and offerings in these forums.

This is weird. You say that you will reveal the measurements in your next post and, after several successive posts, you fail to do so. What is your deal? Speaking for myself, I would much rather see Carl's posts than those of a trollworthy nature. Message to Carl: Please stick around. I enjoy your posts. Don't let UP scare you away.

Carl, I'm very happy with my1849 reproduction from Official Staunton. Regardless of size, I believed it to be the most accurate 1849 Jacques representation and that's why I bought it. I like larger sized, and usually heavier weighted sets. In fact, that is why I chose the Noj 4" Dubrovnik II set over the more accurately sized 3.6" set. I agree with goodnightmike... count me as one who appreciates your posts and your reproductions.

I wholeheartedly agree with Frank.  Please don't leave Carl.

UthorPendragon, this is certainly not the way to get what you want in life.

You yourself said that Carl makes the best reproductions for the money.  Instead of criticizing him you should simply ask about what can and cannot be done.

For instance, Carl's version of the Piatigorsky set improves on the original by quite a lot.  Yes, if you want a set more true to the original specifications HoS sells one for a lot more money.

The same holds true with the various Staunton designed reproductions of Jaques sets.  Remember that Jaques themselves had a substantial difference between their own sets.

Indeed. I pray  that the dark forces behind this evil conspiracy have not now also engulfed UP in their sinister grasp.

Gentlemen, I very sorry I've upset so many people!

When I first posted I didn't think I was going to post again until tomorrow.

Which is when I planned to give the original dimensions.

However, I started to have to defend myself from Carl!

My intentions were to let people know exactly what Carl said!

If you don't spend $3500 you don't get an accurate chess set reproduction.

And that's because some of the pieces in your chess sets have been repeatedly made the wrong size!

If everyone knew what the sizes are supposed to be, but didn't care, or liked a different size that's one thing.

But if no one knows what the sizes are supposed to be that's another.

When your paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a reproduction chess set I personally think the manufacturer has a responsibility to reproduce that chess set as accurately as possible.

Many of you may feel differently but I'd bet the majority of people would agree with me.

I learned something here today though.

Carl has been giving you good deals on chess sets through this forum and I don't want to spoil that.

Perhaps I should just say I'm sorry and keep my information to myself.

I can continue to go to, the wood carving tool store, near my office.

I give the pieces that are the wrong size to an expert wood carver who works there and pay him to alter the pieces to the correct size.

Official Staunton makes great stuff and altering it is much cheaper than buying a $3500 chess set.

Gentlemen, go buy the new 1849 chess set from Official Staunton.

It's buy far the best reproduction for the money.

The new technique of properly curing the boxwood takes longer and costs the manufacturer more to make but it does 2 things.

It makes the wood much stronger and it will probably never crack

And

It gives the boxwood a more natural patina, which is what you want on antiqued pieces.

The new knight is is beautiful and much better than the 1851 in my opinion.

It's not perfect but it's very close.

The manufacturer of this chess set is the best in Amritsar and actually makes the HOS 1849 $3500 chess set.

What more could you want?

When you buy your set please let Carl know Uthor Pendragon is sorry for ever questioning something as ludicrous as asking manufacturers to make all the pieces the correct size.

Your Humble and Most Obedient Servant,

Uthor Pendragon

For folks like me(and I assume there are plenty) as long as a set is "truly well made and nice",it does not have to be an exact copy.i certainly appreciate those who want total period correctness though,but I simply want a really good set that approaches what the Classic pieces look like.Obviously pricing comes into account.

RC, it's good to hear from you!

The email from Jon is on my computer at work.

I was going to wait until tomorrow to post everything but I guess I'll drive to work now a post it within the hour.

Fact is Carl is an excellent vendor and contributes more than any other vendor on here.  He has fantastic deals from time to time and many good deals constantly and is very very honest. 

Also for anyone to think there is one and only one exact replica of the 1849 is very naive.  

Between the different crude tools and the carvers and more than likely tweaking the set as they went along I would argue with anyone that there are so many variations especially of the knights that it is strictly arbitrary what is the EXACT 1849 set.  

I hope he does not leave because of some people who have little understanding but lots of money. Having lots of money and amassing the most chess sets does not make one an expert. I know people in different hobbies who have small collections but know much more than people with huge collections no matter what the subject matter is.

 

Amen Mac. 

Whoa, wiscmike take it easy.

 

Jon Crumiller was nice enough to provide us with these dimensions and I have confirmed the sizes using photos of several different sets now!

 

                                   HEIGHT            BASE           WEIGHT

KING                           4.375"             1.875"             3.4 oz

Queen                          3.25"              1.75"               2.9 oz

Bishop                          3.00"              1.50"               2.2 oz

Knight                         2.625"              1.625"             2.6 oz

Rook                           2.375"               1.625"            2.8 oz

Pawn                             2.00"              1.25"               1.0 oz

 

The nice thing about this set is how surprisingly short the Queen is!

 

It would be very easy to make a 4.0" King with a 1.75" base that matches the set and it would be like having two chess sets in one!

 

You could have it on display on a 2.5" board with the 4.375" king, but if you had some 4.0 kings also you could play on a 2.25" board with no problem!

 

I realized on my drive to work that maybe even Carl didn't know these dimensions!

 

Jon Crumiller had to measure them for me, so he didn't know them before that.

 

Frank Camarrata or HOS bought a real Jaques 1849 to make their exact replicas.

 

Carl, I sincerely apologize for my behavior earlier today.

 

Please do not close your account here.  

 

Many people including myself believe you provide the best reproduction chess sets for the

most reasonable prices of any chess set retailor!

 

Sincerely,

 

Uthor Pendragon

 

 

 

 

I am just stating the facts and Mac was nice enough to post what I would call the definitive word on the topic. 

I think you were barking up the wrong tree.