Jaques of London has been instrumental in the development and success of modern chess. Chess pieces before the mid 19th century were of two kinds - excessively elaborate and costly hand-carved reproductions of the Kings court, or rudely turned and daubed pieces in which rank was dictated by height alone. In the 1840s, this all changed. Nathaniel Cooke, proprietor of the Illustrated London News, brought John Jaques a new and elegant design for chessmen. Between the two of them, this initial design was polished to produce a set using symbols (for the king, a crown, for the bishop, a mitre) which could be easily recognised and reproduced. This radical design received rave reviews in the press, particularly for the exquisite design of the Knight, based on sculptures from the famous Elgin Marbles. Mr Howard Staunton, the first British chess World Champion, was so taken with the design that he agreed to have his name and signature adorn every box of pieces. The Staunton chess set, as it became known, is now the de facto standard for play at all levels. Few companies can say they influenced the development of a game the way Jaques of London has shaped the world's favourite board game, chess. Utilising John Jaques' original design from 1850, this stunning collector's chess set is available to buy online and is limited to just 100 products and is a beautiful heirloom -quality piece. With pieces hand carved by Jaques master craftsmen from boxwood and jet black ebony, this 4 inch Staunton Collectors Chess Set is presented in a lavish English leather casket with fitted trays and a suede trim.
1849 4" Edition Chess Set in Leather Casket Chess Pieces & Leather Casket
Description
Jaques of London has been instrumental in the development and success of modern chess. Chess pieces before the mid 19th century were of two kinds - excessively elaborate and costly hand-carved reproductions of the Kings court, or rudely turned and daubed pieces in which rank was dictated by height alone. In the 1840s, this all changed. Nathaniel Cooke, proprietor of the Illustrated London News, brought John Jaques a new and elegant design for chessmen. Between the two of them, this initial design was polished to produce a set using symbols (for the king, a crown, for the bishop, a mitre) which could be easily recognised and reproduced. This radical design received rave reviews in the press, particularly for the exquisite design of the Knight, based on sculptures from the famous Elgin Marbles. Mr Howard Staunton, the first British chess World Champion, was so taken with the design that he agreed to have his name and signature adorn every box of pieces. The Staunton chess set, as it became known, is now the de facto standard for play at all levels. Few companies can say they influenced the development of a game the way Jaques of London has shaped the world's favourite board game, chess. Utilising John Jaques' original design from 1850, this stunning collector's chess set is available to buy online and is limited to just 100 products and is a beautiful heirloom -quality piece. With pieces hand carved by Jaques master craftsmen from boxwood and jet black ebony, this 4 inch Staunton Collectors Chess Set is presented in a lavish English leather casket with fitted trays and a suede trim.
This timeless chess set is available in the following styles:
Mahogany and Green Box
Oak and Red Box
Beech and Black Box
Staunton Leather Casket
Staunton Mahogany Casket
Casket: 36.5cm x 25.5cm x 16.5cm
King: Base Diameter 47mm
Rook: Base Diameter 41mm
Pawn: Base Diameter 32mm
Delivery Options
Delivery Prices & Times:
| UK Mainland: Standard Items - Orders under £40 | ||
| Standard Delivery | £3.99 | 3 - 5 Working Day Delivery (Tracked) |
| Express Delivery | £5.95 | 48 - Hour Express Delivery (Tracked) |
| UK Mainland: Standard Items - Orders over £40 | ||
| Standard Delivery | Free | 3 - 5 Working Day Delivery (Tracked) |
| Express Delivery | £5.95 | 48 - Hour Express Delivery (Tracked) |
| UK Mainland: All orders including Bulky Items | ||
| Standard Delivery | £7.95 | 3 - 5 Working Day Delivery (Tracked) |
| UK Mainland: All orders including Croquet Sets and Luxury Chess Sets | ||
| Express Croquet Sets | £7.95 | 3 - 5 Working Day Delivery (Tracked) |
| Bespoke Croquet Sets & Luxury Chess Sets | £7.95 | 7 - 14 Working Days (Tracked) |
All Orders placed after 1pm on Monday-Friday and placed on a Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holiday will be processed on the next working day.
Weekends and Bank Holidays are excluded from delivery time frames.
During peak periods or times of industrial strike action, delivery can experience delays. We kindly ask that you wait a full working day after the expected date of delivery before contacting Customer Services.
Please be advised that Free Delivery over £40 only pertains to our standard (3-5 working day) service. Express 48 hour delivery will still be charged for orders over £40.
Our Bespoke Croquet Sets, Chelsea Skittles & Luxury Chess Sets are made in the UK to order so they take a little bit longer to get that high quality finish you expect from Jaques. They currently have a lead time of up to 2 weeks for delivery.