Reproduction and Real Jaques of London Chess Set

thanks Rob, means a lot! :) 

Hey Mike and Carl, Yes I agree 4" is a great tournament size and if you make a version in ebonized wood even all the better as it would be at least  £100 less. having it moderately weighted might be the best for play especially like you said "speed play"

That is so beautiful, totally love it.

Yeah I would have loved to have a set like that to play in tournaments with. This set is a beauty. There are going to be some happy collectors, and players out there. I hope you are ready with enough sets, lol. You should definitely make more, I like the 53-55 sets as well. If people use these sets in tournaments, you'll get more customers. Best of luck to you.

Jaques 'library' size set was king 2,7/8"

3,5" king was the standard playing size

4" K was small club

4.4" king was 'Club' size.

There were other sizes, 3" and 3 1/4" but Jaques sold sets by base size alone not height. Look at their old ads.

JFYI

Dang I can't remember what size set I used, I believe it was 4 inch, it wasn't a Jaques, just standard Staunton, boxwood, and rosewood, but most tournament sets were 3.5 inch, no one ever complained, especially when compared to a normal plastic set. I gave that set away to a second cousin of mine that was interested in chess, many years ago.

Thanks Alan 

4" small club would be perfect. Personally I would prefer the true ebony version. Kings and Kingside stamps would be great!

The so called 4" small club set was always the cheap sister of the largest set. It rarely made more than the 3.5" playing size sets. This is in Portobello Market and the big London auction houses who had regular chess sales (Christies Bonhams etc).

I can only think that clients who were looking at the 'better' sets decided in the end to buy a 4.4. I personally find both the 4" and the 4.4" too big for regular play and I prefer the 3.5" Jaques sets, particularly the early short nose drop jaw style of knight.

I personally find both the 4" and the 4.4" too big for regular play and I prefer the 3.5".......

Hear, hear!

Chess set size is a personal preference for sure, but I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Dewey on this.

This may be sacrilege on a thread devoted to such beautiful and historically oriented sets but, I find the plastic "Ultimate" set (3 5/8" king) to be ideal for play. I am aware of course that other ingredients factor into size other than height, but damn, I find it tough to beat for playability. 

I have been on the lookout for a nice 3 1/2" wooden set. When one is produced to my liking, I shall surely jump on it. 

As an aside, I have thouroughly enjoyed this long thread in it's entirety.

Mr. Dewey - Thank you sharing your knowledge of the manufacture and history of chess pieces and sets, as well as your expertise in their restoration. I find your efforts to aid in the manufacture of accurate reconstructions of antique sets to be laudable. Please twist a bit so I can kiss the other cheek....I also appreciate the absolute civility of your posts. Bravo sir, bravo!

I hate to nit-pick but Jaques 'library size' sets had a 2,75" king

Thank you Alan it's very much appreciated

Hope you're well

AlanDewey wrote:

I hate to nit-pick but Jaques 'library size' sets had a 2,75" king

We gotthe idea that 3.5 inch was library jaques size from Garrick Colemans website...

it reads...

A Good early Jaques unweighted Library Staunton Chess Set .

The finely carved and turned boxwood and ebony chessmen with

the early Andressen style knights. One rook and one knight from

each side with small impressed crowns to their tops to donate 

kings side when playing. The white king with impressed mark

"Jaques London" to the base of its rim. The pieces of an attractive 

toffee colour and good patina.

Comes in mahogany slide lid storage box with Jaques green trade

paper label to the lid. Circa 1862

King 3.5 cm ( 9 cm.) high

Garrick was after all the top chess dealer in London to be sure. I defer to his expertise. Thank you.

I used to see Garrick in his shop in Portobello market each Saturday morning for about 20 years (He missed a few in later years after he developed a severe form of aneamia) He had the most amazing sets on display better even than those on his website often. (I should add that he almost invariably had clients for the very best sets already picked out and selling a set for GBP 20K upwards requires some careful marketing)

I recall that on one occasion a top collector who moved from Spain to London to run one of the international banks spent 40K (GBP) on impulse, on sets. The collector told me later how nice every one was to him in the market...

kramopolis, I received an OS 1851 set not too long ago as well, and it has quickly become my favorite set... for me, the perfect size and weight for slow games, and the craftsmanship is fantastic as well!

Hi Guys ..Heads up..this BC set looks amazing on the walnut board and mahogany coffer!! 

hope you like it!! my favourite chess pieces! :) 

 Like the pawns on that set a lot. Also the bishops.

All the slender stems of the pieces  make the set unique and still in Staunton style of course. It looks very graceful to say the least.