@baudouin27: “I jumped in a while back and love this unique set (when my wife gets annoyed at a new set turning up, I always blame Powderdigit - seems to work; good thing he lives far away though! 😂”
@felonet: “One of my internet chess friends made me buy another set - his name is Powderdigit! I had no choice!!”
Lmao. Guys, I’m jumping on board with this next time my girlfriend passively passes judgment with “You bought more chess stuff?”. Sorry, @Powderdigit! 
@baudouin27: “I jumped in a while back and love this unique set (when my wife gets annoyed at a new set turning up, I always blame Powderdigit - seems to work; good thing he lives far away though! 😂”
@felonet: “One of my internet chess friends made me buy another set - his name is Powderdigit! I had no choice!!”
Lmao. Guys, I’m jumping on board with this next time my girlfriend passively passes judgment with “You bought more chess stuff?”. Sorry, @Powerdigit!
Somewhere in a pub Powder's looking up from his beer or his board and wondering, "Why do I suddenly feel a cold wind blowing?" 
Ha! Powder is one of the "classic" forum members and collectors here. I wouldn't be surprised....He's up to a zillion sets these days.
Me? Only 27 & 4 big boards. I have too many hobbies to shovel money around....Yuk!
I have No will of my own / @Powderdigit made me buy it !
@PWalker1 I couldn't agree more with your points. The Euro design and manufacturing particularly appealed to me. Also your comment about the Knight - you can just picture it looking at you once it's invaded an outpost in your territory! Tremendous!
I just received notification that my half-set has shipped from Mr. Biró - can't wait for it to arrive
Ah everyone … reading this thread is making me smile and believe me, 2025 has been less than ideal for a whole range of reasons - so you all making me smile is appreciated!
@felonet - congratulations and I am glad you are happy. The pieces are wonderful and you’ve inspired me to take mine to the pub soon. Watch this space!
As per my other thread - I think it’s wonderful when we can celebrate a designer who is also a carver too. For so many sets, the woodturner/carver is anonymous but not here - a tip of the hat to GM Biro Sandor. 👍
Felon,
I hope you’ll get a lot of pleasure from this set. It’s a rare thing to find a set from the original designer, made somewhat to your taste (weighted/unweighted, several stain options). And a set that has been copied widely by Amritsar. I jumped in a while back and love this unique set (when my wife gets annoyed at a new set turning up, I always blame Powderdigit - seems to work; good thing he lives far away though! 😂 - but it was one of his posts that brought me to Sandór).
🤦♂️ 😆😆😆…. I suppose there are worse vices than chess - so it’s ok if I am blamed for this.😆 On a serious note - I am glad that I have had a positive influence of directing people to Biro … it’s great that people are buying direct from the man himself. Of course - thanks to Holger for re-directing me early on too. 👍
Beautiful set! Love the design; great choice with the red stain.
...
Yes / No / yes Powderdigit is telling me to buy https://www.antiquechessshop.com/product/ref3473-jaques-staunton-club-size-chessmen/ It seem he part of the Matrix ,
Yes / No / yes Powderdigit is telling me to buy It seem he part of the Matrix ,
Now that is a nice chess set.
Here is the market analysis for that chess set.
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Based on a detailed analysis of the product page, comparable sales, auction data, and seller reputation, the Jaques Staunton Club Size chess set listed for £3,200 appears to be a legitimate antique item from a reputable specialist dealer, but its value is on the higher end of the market spectrum. For a dedicated collector who prioritizes authenticity, condition, and included provenance (like the original box and certification), it could be worth the price—especially since it includes free shipping, insurance valuation, and restoration. However, if you're buying purely as an investment or casual enthusiast, you might find similar sets for 20-40% less (around £1,800-£2,500) through auctions or other dealers, though those may lack the same guarantees or condition.
Product Overview
This is an ebony and boxwood weighted Staunton chess set (known as the "Anderssen" pattern in modern classifications), produced by John Jaques of London circa 1863-1865. Key specs include:
Kings height: cm (about 4 inches), classifying it as "club size" (larger than standard tournament sets, which are typically inches).
Features: Stamped "JAQUES LONDON" on the white king, crown stamps on king-side rooks and knights, green baize bases, original French polished finish.
Accessories: Original mahogany lift-top box with Jaques paper trade label, plus a copy of the Jaques collectors' guide and a certification/insurance valuation
Condition: Excellent after professional restoration (minor faults like chips are fixed before listing).
Historical context: Jaques sets from this era (1849-1939 "golden age") are iconic, designed by Nathaniel Cook and endorsed by Howard Staunton, becoming the global standard for tournament play.
The price includes shipping and insurance, with options for installment payments or currency
Market Value and Comparables
Jaques Staunton sets from the mid-19th century are highly collectible due to their craftsmanship, rarity, and role in chess history. Based on recent auction results and dealer listings (from 2021-2025), prices for comparable ebony/boxwood club-size sets in good condition with boxes typically range from £1,200-£2,800, depending on exact age, size, and inclusions. Your set's £3,200 asking price is toward the premium end, likely justified by its restored condition, original box/label, and certification—but it might be negotiable or slightly inflated for a dealer markup.
Key comparables:
A similar Jaques Zukertort small club-size set (circa 1870s, " kings) sold for $2,395 USD (~£1,880 GBP) at a U.S. antique
eBay listing for a Jaques Staunton (1875-1880, " kings, weighted with box) at $1,500 USD (~£1,180 GBP).
Christie's auction (from the Dr. Jean-Claude Cholet collection) for a fine Staunton ivory club-size set (circa 1855) estimated at £6,000-£10,000 but realized £900 (possibly a different lot or bidding anomaly; ivory sets command higher premiums due to material rarity).
Another Jaques Staunton tournament-size set (circa 1880-1885, smaller kings) listed at £1,750 on the same seller's
Forum discussions note that 1860s-1870s Jaques sets in good condition with boxes fetch $1,000-1,800 USD (~£780-£1,420 GBP), but these are often tournament size; club-size examples are rarer and can add 30-50% value.chess.comReproductions (., modern 1849 Cooke Jaques-style sets) sell for $300-500 USD, so authenticity is key here—this appears genuine based on stamps and No recent X posts discussed exact valuations, but general sentiment aligns with these ranges.
Walks like a duck. Quacks like a duck. DKW.
Sigh. You may be right. I guess time (and the attack rate) will tell.
If so, he's not being aggressive....Even with my own history with the guy, I say let it slide.
Just my 2 cents.
Please allow me to chime in to say, that I envy you all's Biro Sandor sets--there is a lot right, going on with the set in addition to it being handcrafted by a strong chess player.
In a word, I would be proud to own and play with this set.
(As another poster mentioned, the time to secure these carved by the man himself, is not infinite.)
Well done to all those who've posted about this set. In particular, @EfimLG47 who alerted all to the modest carver whose design was(is) copied while they are still alive.