Yes, the Staunton style chess pieces by Jaques was an evolutionary design. At a time when most chess pieces were too ornate, often confusing, too tall, not very stable, and easily damaged. Jaques produced a set that was simple and durable, where the pieces were easily distinguishable, and a lot more functional that most of the sets it eventually replaced. Does that mean that the design was perfect. No. Because it was the first of what would become the de facto standard for chess piece design, many people treat the 1849 set like it was the holy grail. To me, it was a great start, but not the end-all and be-all of chess set design. The king was too tall, the pawns were too small, and some of the many knight designs (and there were many according to Alan Dewey) look decidedly non-equine. Personally, I think we're confusing the starting line for the finish line.
Reproduction and Real Jaques of London Chess Set
Not only that, but the 1849 set is the best of the lot. Talk about "right first time"!
We can and do thank Jaques for creating and popularizing the Staunton design that is used in serious Chess at all levels.
No we do not think Jaques actually created the Staunton design set AFAWK Nat Cook(e) designed it.
My wife (and historian) and I wrote an article settting out what is know of the origins of the design for anyone here who has not read it.
http://www.chessspy.com/articles/Staunton%20Chess%20Set%20Design.pdf
Alan ... the link doesn't open unless you are on your site.
Others please visit www.chessspy.com under "Information about Antique Chess sets" and then "Specific Chess Set Styles" and the link "Design of the Staunton Chess Set" for this fine paper on the topic!
OK While I like Staunton's ORIGINAL set as a Historical set, the idea that there are “millions of reproductions out there” is absurd. A QUALITY reproduction can cost THOUSANDS of dollars (See Jaques' own reproduction of its own 1894 set, and it is not even an ORIGINAL 1894 set but a COPY of that set!), which is probably more than a normal sane person would spend on a chess set, and it is doubtful that there are “millions” of serious collectors out there willing to shell out that type of money. Even HUNDREDS of dollars is a lot of money for a chess set, especially when you can buy a high quality PLASTIC set for less than $30, and less than $100 for a decent though cheap looking wood set. Lets review:
For reference, here is the original 1849 set, photo credit Jon Crumiller from crumiller.com:
The Original Jaques 1849 Set (probably restored)
Here is Jaques of London own Reproduction of their own 1849 set: 2,999.99 GBP (~ $4,020 U.S,)
Here is House of Staunton' s Collector Series Luxury set which is based on Jaques 1840-1850 sets: Boxwood and Genuine Ebony $749 w/4.0” king; $849 w/4.4”King
Here is House of Staunton's Exquisite Collection – Imperial Series here in Zebrawood and Boxwood , but also in: Ebony and Tulipwood, Katalox and Boxwood, Ironwood and Boxwood, and Black Poisonwood and Boxwood – All w/4.0” King: $795 only 5 sets of each wood will be made. This set is based on the their Collector's Series but with the Original Imperial Knight design.
Here is the Andalusian Ebony & Boxwood by Official Staunton w/4.0” King 796 GBP (~ $1062 US)
Here is the Benevento Series Artisan Chess Pieces – Forever Collection by House of Staunton W/4.4” King in Genuine Ebony and Boxwood. FEATURES A LIFETIME WARRANTY AGAINST HAIRLINE CRACKS: $1,495
This is House of Staunton's Zagre '59 Series W/3.875” King. This is am adaptation of a common European Set still widely used. ~ $ 199 or less made by various companies, depending on the wood combinations used. (This one was Golden Rosewood and Natural Boxwood)
Here is a Futuristic Chess Set as imagined by the House of Staunton, named “The Empire Series Luxury” set and was featured in one of the Star Wars movies. In Ebony and Natural Boxwood w/4.4” King ~ $375
In conclusion why it might be correct to say that there there “millions of Staunton Chess Sets out there, it is incorrect to say there are all reproductions of Jaques 1849 set and even if there were most people would not be able to afford them. Finally which would you spend money on: A COPY of what by today's standard is a rather crude looking chess set that can cost thousands of dollars...
versus buying something that has a new design, is far more refined, and cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars less such as...
... which is a near duplicate of the 1849 set but vastly refined, or ...
... this, a design that Jaques could never have conceived.
Yes there are millions of chess sets out there, using different materials other than Ivory and Ebony or the cheaper Ebony and Boxwood sets.
Just because something is OLD does not make it worth more money. A lot of things go into determining the relative value of a set. Even if it is an original 1849 Jaques set, if it is in poor condition it is not worth thousands of dollars. For my money I'd rather buy a near reproductions that has been refined at a fraction of the price for an original, or even a fresh re-intepretation that is even more refined than Jaques' original set.
So you are saying that Jaques of London's reproduction of their own 1849 set which they are selling for ~ $4,020 is either A) A poor copy of their own original B) and/or a good copy but over priced.
As to the Official Saunton Chess Company their 1849 Reproduction costs ~ $ 669 US, not $200-300.
As to 1849 Reproductions in general there are, as with everything, excellent copies and poor copies. Jaques of London sells theirs for $4,020; House of Saunton sells theirs for ~ $3,000, and The Official Saunton Chess Company sells theirs for ~ $ 670 US -- still a lot of money. So bottom line, if you are fine with spending $200 - $300 for a BAD copy of the Jaques set fine, OTOH you can get an EXCELLENT set that is a refined variation of Jaques 1849 -1850 sets, that is NEW from House of Staunton when on sale for ~ $500, and about ~650 when on sale for the further refined "Imperal Luxury" set that features the Imperial knight. I bought a HoS Collector Series Luxury set in Rosewood and Natural Boxwood w/4.0" King -- a set no longer being made for ~ $500 which included a fitted coffer. The set handles like a dream, and is very hard to knock over, as it is properly weight so it does not. It is more refined that Jaqueas original 1849-1850 sets and cost me 1/8 what Jaques is asking for *their* reproduction. If $500 is a little too much, for less than $200 you can buy the Zagreb style series which is commonly -- or was commonly used as of early 1970 -- throughout Europe. Again there are good copies and bad copies of this set. This does not pretend to be a "reproduction" of Jaques set. The sets I used when I was in Europe had a very nice feel to them.
Beauty, it is said, is in the eye of the beholder. To say that Jaques' sets are end all and be all of all chess sets shows a profound ignorance, as well as being someone who is out of touch with reality, or has lots of money to spend on a chess set, when you can buy an equally fine set for a fraction of what a Jaque's set costs, for for less than $30, you can buy a PLASTIC set that has a EXCELLENT feel, and is pleasing both to play with as well as to look at.
The great thing about our hobby, those of us with collectoritis get to buy what we like, what we can afford, or what we are willing to spend. Entry level, mid-line, or luxury, it doesn't matter, so long as you like the set, feel it was worth the investment and enjoy playing with it (or looking at it), that's all that matters, regardless of what anyone else thinks. It's your money, spend it anyway you want. So long as your not spending my money, I've got nothing to gripe about.
But the 1849 Jaques sets sold by House of Staunton and Official Staunton are exactly the same!
Customers are invited to check the link.
https://www.officialstaunton.com/collections/luxury-chess-pieces/products/staunton-chess-set
I believe you are wrong about this. Carl himself has said there are differences.
You should check with Carl before making false statements.
Thanks Alan.
Thanks Alan.
There are no differences in the slightest. I do not need to check with Carl or chessmaze, they can check with me.
Oh, then thank you Carl.
There's a new(ish) Jaques set on ebay right now for £150 "buy it now" price:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaques-Of-London-Chess-Men-Kings-near-4-Weighted-Boxed-Cert-Pristine-Cond/173024470556?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649
Looks the same as the Fischer-Spassky set, can anyone confirm or deny?
Seems a good price - I'd buy it except I don't like the way the Knights appear to be grinning, and the balls on top of the pawns are huge and not very round
check Jaques site -- you can get similar new Jaques starter sets for GBP80, GBP125 and GBP160, so I don't think this is a particular good deal. Not to mention that Jaques low budget offerings are kind of ugly...
Also the certificate of authenticity for that £150 Jaques set hasn’t been signed so I’d be cautious in purchasing.
I see that the certificate gives the date of inception as 1847 rather than 1849. I wonder if Jaques have any justification for moving the date?
Thanks Alan.
Of course. No problem. I hope others take the time to read it!
I see that the certificate gives the date of inception as 1847 rather than 1849. I wonder if Jaques have any justification for moving the date?
I see someone else caught that too. The set looks all wrong too. I suspect that this is a forgery, and/or a knock off. Were this a genuine Jaques set the date of the set that was copied would be 1849 that it says 1847 shows that there is a certain lack of detail, likewise with the Jaques medallion on the front -- it's crooked. Nathaniel Cook didn't even register the design until March 1st 1849, and the first wooden sets sold by Jaques weren't available until September 8th, 1849, so I don't think that this is a prototype reproduction.
it Jaques and is original, Jaques made printing error in card , but it is Jaques
I went to the Jaques factory, (warehouse really as Jaques buy everything in apart from the croquet boxes) a few years ago with Prof Fersht.
The CEO at that time was Joe Jaques. The family does not seem to have a close grip on the history of Jaques and it is quite possible that they got the date of inception wrong. The 1795 date is also suspect.
Of course an individual, Cook, designed it. Jaques created and made this design as the first or at least one of the first manufacturers and sellers.
Jaques also was the most prolific over more than 100 years. Is this not true?
I believe it safe to say that Jaques was the leader in instituting this basic Staunton design.
As I said I also like and sometimes prefer other makes of sets that are not Jaques designs. For instance I really like the Noj Dubrovnik designs, the BH Wood design, the Lardy design, and the Chavet design just to name a few.