Reproduction and Real Jaques of London Chess Set

looks like a typical Anderssen knight, to use the Camaratta codex, which would match the date indicated by the label (between 1859 and 1862).  Alan Fersht's reference to "slide lid box" is just a statement of where the label he showed was found, not a statement about such labels only being on slide lids. To my knowledge, there were no differences in labels for wood sets of the same period depending on box (only the ivory sets had different labels). So based on these two pictures only, this looks as it should.

4.5 inch king ? not 4.4 ? 

Unrelated to m previous post - here's the first Jaques set I bought - this is a library set from 1862-70. Unfortunately, small as this set is, it's slightly too big for the board IMO...

Thanks Frank, that makes sense about the label. I've just googled the Knights, and found the Anderssen knight - I agree it looks the same. Surprised it wasn't in my book though!

I expect it's 4.4 inches, if that's the standard

Do remember that Jaques sold their sets by base diameter not height. I assume this was so that a board could be ordered with correctly sized squares.

I suppose the heights could vary a little.

never knew that, but it makes complete sense 

I tried to buy the 1849 Knight above and the complete chess set, from Tim Millard at antiquechessshop. But if you live in the good old USA it is against the law to purchase any African Elephant Ivory now; even if it's an antique over 150 years old. Curiously you can kill 2 African Elephants and bring home their tusks as a trophy. Is it just me or does this new law seem about the stupidest thing you've ever heard? Let's save the elephants by not allowing antique sales! That will save them! Oh, you're a big game hunter, go ahead and shoot a couple, no problem! Elephants happen to be my favorite zoo animal and I give to charities that try to save them.

Now about the knight. It has smooth cheeks and looks like a horse. I think it's the best Jaques knight I have ever seen.

The new ivory laws.   http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/06/us-ivory-ban-regulations/

You have good taste RC. He should have been pissed. 

I'm having a hard time with the trophy hunting is just fine. Go ahead and shoot two African bull elephants and take home 4 huge tusks, but don't you dare buy antique ivory. Let's see:

1. Buying antique ivory doesn't kill elephants.

2. Trophy hunting does.

What's going on here?

Oh yeah, governments make a lot of money from trophy hunting, they make very little or no money from antique ivory sales.

Mmm

I have several antique ivory sets that I bought 20 years ago but am 300% in favor of the ban on hunting elephants.  I agree that the laws against importing the antique sets are not saving any elephants though.  Too bad about the ban, since I had my eye on an ivory Staunton from Millard recently, but it was a no go.  Thanks God I was able to get my sets when i did.

My early Jaques ivory set.

What a beauty!

Unfortunately the set didn't come with the original Carton-Pierre box.  It dates from 1865 I was informed.  'Jaques London' is stamped on the bottom of the 3-1/2" king, and it has the king-side crown markings, but there are no other marks.  I'm still very happy with it.  Here it is on a Drueke board.  The discoloration is from my camera, not on the pieces.

What a shame Mac. One thing for sure is that they didn't destroy it.  If I was a betting man I would bet a dollar to a donut (wait inflation) I would bet 5 dollars to a donut that somewhere in the NYC area someone associated with or friends of the ISC has it on display in their house.  Just conjecture on my part but what else do you do with it?

Recently obtained Official Staunton's Antiqued 1851 Cooke Reproduction, shown here on a Drueke board.  Very nice!   

Very nice, indeed! Congrats.

I really like the knights.  You can't see them that clearly in my photo from the black side due to the glare from the flash, but this will give you some idea of that perspective.