1849 Edition 4.4" Chess Set in Leather Casket Chess Pieces with Beautiful Lining Box

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 piece. With pieces hand carved by Jaques master craftsmen from boxwood and jet black ebony, this 4.4 inch Staunton Collectors Chess Set is presented in a lavish English leather casket with fitted trays and a suede trim. The casket of this luxury Jaques chess set has a beautiful lining and features a replica of the Jaques and Howard Staunton label which is signed by the current company directors.

Casket: 36.5cm x 25.5cm x 16.5cm
King: Base Diameter 49mm
Rook: Base Diameter 43mm
Pawn: Base Diameter 35mm