Yes I agree with all of that - the restoration needs to be done carefully and sympathetically, and the box with its label is indeed important to the value of the set.
Reproduction and Real Jaques of London Chess Set
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I really appreciate all the comments everyone has made. It has really helped me understand how valued this box is, not only in my eyes, but as well the chess community. I didn't realise how much it was really worth. I will supply more photos of the box when I can, but at the moment it is still at the antique shop I dropped it at whilst they prepare a quote. I will attach photos of the pieces as requested later tonight, as I'm about to go to work.
For now what I can tell you regarding the piecies is that there are no cracks in the ebony.
The only damage to the pieces are 1) the white knight's face is gone, and 2) chips in the pawns as previously identified.
I live in Australia, and I would really love to have an expert restore it, however I don't really want to send it overseas in case it sustains damage, and I also don't really feel comfortable in doing so. I was wondering if anyone knew an expert that may be located in Australia? I feel more comfortable shipping it domestically. Also, how much would an expert refurbishment cost? I am really hoping it would be less than $400, as I'm only 18. I'm not really swimming in cash.
Additionally, what photos should I send through when I get the box back?
Here are the photos of the chess pieces below.
Half of the white and black pawns are chipped (as seen on the left of both images), there is no other damage.
Both white and black rooks have no cracks or any other visible damage.
The only damage on the white knights is the face missing. No cracks.
No damage to either black knights.
Slight chip in both white and black kings (barely noticeable). Both 4.1"
No damage to bishops (no cracks or scratches).
Slight chip on black queen. No other damage on either pieces.
Would love to hear what you guys think!
I live in Australia, and I would really love to have an expert restore it, however I don't really want to send it overseas in case it sustains damage, and I also don't really feel comfortable in doing so. I was wondering if anyone knew an expert that may be located in Australia? I feel more comfortable shipping it domestically. Also, how much would an expert refurbishment cost? I am really hoping it would be less than $400, as I'm only 18. I'm not really swimming in cash.
Additionally, what photos should I send through when I get the box back?
You have a very nice club set / It is worth sending the chess set of for repair -restoration , will not be cheap , Still will only add to the value if done well , In you case the shipping cost to the USA & back would add to the bulk of the cost , Best send them a email with photos for a quote .
See it as a long term investment . 
Shame about the WN as most of the other problems are trivial. Two names come to mind for restoration, but both are in the USA. Ron Fromkin and Alan Dewey, but he's retired from working on chess repairs. Such a wonderful legacy you've inherited. Document everything you know about your great grandfather's chessmen and history for yourself and your family.
Heres Ron Fromkin web site ,
Can find Alan on https://www.facebook.com/BobbinBoy/
He's alive & kicking .
If the job is worth doing do it well / Tim of https://www.antiquechessshop.com/
still sends all his sets to Alan Dewey , At least send them a email + photos for a quote ,
Apr 25, 2022
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#4789
Small catch: That set is 11CM tall not 4.1 inches inches tall. The scale on the bottom of the ruler is in CM. In inches it would be ~4.33 inches. The 11 CM set was the largest set that Jaques London made and was a Club sized set.
Apr 25, 2022
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#4790
azbobcat wrote:
Small catch: That set is 11CM tall not 4.1 inches inches tall. The scale on the bottom of the ruler is in CM. In inches it would be ~4.33 inches. The 11 CM set was the largest set that Jaques London made and was a Club sized set.
Go on then - what point are you making here?
Apr 25, 2022
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#4791
magictwanger wrote:
Totally agree with Lighthouse!
Me too. Alan Dewey is good bloke
A51x wrote:
Here are the photos of the chess pieces below.
Half of the white and black pawns are chipped (as seen on the left of both images), there is no other damage.
Both white and black rooks have no cracks or any other visible damage.
The only damage on the white knights is the face missing. No cracks.
No damage to either black knights.
Slight chip in both white and black kings (barely noticeable). Both 4.1"
No damage to bishops (no cracks or scratches).
Slight chip on black queen. No other damage on either pieces.
Would love to hear what you guys think!
Those knights/bishops are absolutely gorgeous!!
azbobcat wrote:
Small catch: That set is 11CM tall not 4.1 inches inches tall. The scale on the bottom of the ruler is in CM. In inches it would be ~4.33 inches. The 11 CM set was the largest set that Jaques London made and was a Club sized set.
Yes the set appears to be an 11cm club size, he just made a small mistake in reading the tape; being a club sized set, he has gold on his hands! As I mentioned in an earlier post, it must be worth at least $4000-5000 USD easily, when professionally restored...maybe even as is.
Received the box back from the antique repairer. I decided if I'm going to get any of it repaired, it should be done by an expert.
Here are some photos.
The white king is stamped 'JAQUES LONDON' whilst the black king is not. I believe this is a distinguishing factor in determining the age of the set.
Apr 25, 2022
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#4795
No matter how it plays out you have something very special!
Best of luck.
Apr 26, 2022
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#4796
A51x wrote:
The white king is stamped 'JAQUES LONDON' whilst the black king is not. I believe this is a distinguishing factor in determining the age of the set.
It is, but the label under the box lid is a better indication. I think yours is 1856-60, but you can have a look for yourself here:
https://www.fersht.com/chess/registrationlabels.html
Apr 26, 2022
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#4797
Agree with IpswichMatt on the dates. After reviewing all the pieces in the pics and those in Alan Fersht's book, all the details point to 1856-59. This exact label is in the book on page 7. Nice set ;-)
BTW, first time poster here at Chess.com and love all the engagement on this stuff! I'm a big Jaques collector myself.
hey guys just wanted to share a couple pics of my newly acquired chess set/board. Any and all information/details are appreciated!! Opinions also welcome!! Take a deep breath..
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jjDdZEEwsMavcf3H9
Dougfresh870 wrote:
hey guys just wanted to share a couple pics of my newly acquired chess set/board. Any and all information/details are appreciated!! Opinions also welcome!! Take a deep breath..
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jjDdZEEwsMavcf3H9
Bravo!
Mammoth or bone pieces?
(knights and bishops could be parked better…!)
martyn-n wrote:
Dougfresh870 wrote:
hey guys just wanted to share a couple pics of my newly acquired chess set/board. Any and all information/details are appreciated!! Opinions also welcome!! Take a deep breath..
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jjDdZEEwsMavcf3H9
Bravo!
Mammoth or bone pieces?
(knights and bishops could be parked better…!)
Very nice looking set , Would be made from African elephants ivory , As for year hard to tell from your photos , Down side Ivory has long fallen out of favour & no longer command the prices it once held , STILL a very nice JAQUES .
It’s a really nice set. Looks like the kings are just over 4 inches right? Including the crosses?
It depends; suppose the shop completely replaced the damaged hinge with a shiny brand new one? When a pair of my glasses broke they were "repaired" with a completely new/large screw that didn't match the other side (not faulting the shop for this, just saying). Judging by the fact that the shop was looking to repair/replace the plaques/label/etc., who knows what they had in mind for the refurbishment; for all we know the shop may have re-surfaced/re-stained/re-sealed the box, re-felted the interior, replaced the locking mechanism with a new one, etc.; they may not have been looking at the project as an antique restoration, but more of repair in the truest sense. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think an original box bolsters the value of a set, and if the box gets mangled in a botched "refurbishment", the set's value will definitely take a hit. All of this is just to say that any restoration work should be approached cautiously and by experts; if this is a 4" 1855 Jaques, it's surely worth something like $4000-5000 USD or more, in that condition. In addition to everything I've mentioned, the box is completely non-functional, even if restored (it's far too small), so why even bother messing with it?
Please take my comments here as completely conversational (my intent is not to criticize your post, etc.); I've PM'd you for advice on Jaques sets in the past and certainly respect your expertise.