Antique Chess Sets

These chess sets are beautiful, old, and also a collector’s piece. They are reliable and long-lasting much like the copies being made today. Reproduction antique sets can be only sought after with the aged look, feel, and quality at a more affordable price. If you are in search of an antique Staunton chess set on sale, Official Staunton is the right place to go.  Our stock of antique chess sets features top-quality Staunton sets by Jaques as well as modern antique sets from Europe & India. Take a look at our range so that you can find the best antique chess set for yourself. 

The history of Standard Chess Sets

The growing demand for the reproduction of antique chess sets is a clear indication of the increasing love for the history of chess. Chess sets were not standard until when Staunton style was developed in the mid-1850s, this being the most popular style among all antique chess sets.  

Jaques of London Antique Chess

The chess sets that were early were made by John Jaques of pre-World War Two London. His chess pieces had a particular style which was based on the very early Edinburgh Upright Chessmen. The old wooden chess sets typically came in baize-lined mahogany hinge-top boxes, carton-Pierre caskets, which used to have mechanically numbered labels. 
 
Later, around 1849, the Staunton pattern was developed and introduced by John Jaques. His chess sets started using this particular pattern. It came in two main varieties: the library size, unweighted edition and a standard size which initially unweighted but later after 1855 they became available also in weighted form. They also manufactured many other sizes like small club and full club weighted sizes as well as Stevenson's ivory chess pieces which were unweighted versions . Their  chess boxes were labelled on top and replaced by slide top boxes with acquisition details written on them. Since their ivory ones are special neat, these are enclosed in carton Pierre caskets, leather boxes along with Spanish mahogany coffers or rosewood book-boxes.There were signatures only on these sets starting from a certain period, while first thousand boards it should be noted had Henry Staunton hand sake imitations on them together with ‘Jaques London’ impressed at labels.

Among the most searched for antique chess set are those of John Jaques Chess Pieces made in 1849. They excel as being the most popular antique chess sets among chess collectors.

The later Staunton Pattern was created by John Jaques in 1849. The copyright for the design was obtained by Jaques who started to manufacture the design in September 1849 under Jaques of London. These chess pieces got their fame following the endorsement received from their namesake and world-renowned chess player Howard Staunton. Staunton, a top player of the 1840s as well as a writer and promoter of chess. He was reputed to play with these sets in tournaments and other events rigorously. 
 
Consistently, a set of Staunton chess pieces consist of 32 pieces with half colored in black-white-black sequence for one set and half colored in white-black-white order for another set. And these two color-coordinated sides are each composed of eight pawns (the least valued on the board), two rooks (also called castle), two knights (a horse-head shaped piece), two bishops (one dark-colored, one light-colored), one queen (the most powerful piece) and finally one king    (the principal piece). By distinctive pattern is meant that each individual piece had its own unique style which led to their being particularly prized among players throughout the world.
 
While they didn’t totally replace old complicated designs they managed to define themselves not only by grace but by simplicity disregarding weights so graciously contrasting lightness with elegance making sure that all pieces can be seen excellently united within a simple system system              

The tallest game piece was the king having a crown and cross as its motif, followed by the queen which was a bit smaller having a coronate and a monde as its motif. The rook’s motif is in form of castle, bishop’s in mitre and pawn’s in a small ball. All game pieces changed significantly from previous forms into established ones after they became accustomed to the patterns. Just like chessboard Staunton is 64 dark and light squares that are alternated including 8 rows and columns. The vertical columns are called files while the horizontal were named ranks, which are denoted using algebraic numbers.
Staunton chess sets have over time incorporated progressiveness to show improved robustness, proportionality as well as modernism bearing in mind several factors such as cost, lifespan, level of experience, material used and purpose of play. There were some materials involved that have directly affected or kept costs down in making chess sets like the wood for example golden rosewood, boxwood or some other cheaper choices maple, walnut or bud rosewood among others. Other raw materials included ivory, glass, clay pewter stone Bakelite Catalin lead plastic expensive metals etc all on appearance there was also much emphasis laid on functionality and durability. Additional material to key constituent of traditional set has been metal being used to construct chivalrous good quality heirloom itinerant set whereby both black white parturition coat iron oxide resulting simplified yet vivid colour scheme comprising yellow red black brown tan etcetera pieces cooperative lastly fine polishing require

Human Written Text: Techniques for Identifying an Antique Chess Set

When you have a chess set at home or in your collection already but are struck how do I know if my chess set is antique, there are certain features you can personally verify.  Look for a manufacture badge or signature on the base of your pieces or board

Check what material your set is made from. Often antique sets are made from rare materials such as jade. Does it look older than 80 years? If a set has been played for 80 years there will be wear and tear marks on the board and pieces

One way of definitely ascertaining if you have a real antique chess set is by getting an expert to assess one of your pieces.

How much do antique chess sets cost? 
 
No matter how much in demand the antique chess sets are, they can still pose a problem for many people  who wish to buy one due to their price.

The reason for their value is that so little of the complete chess sets have survived from 1850. Hence, in the market with a limited number of antique sets to buy, each is priced in an astronomical level. Therefore, there has been an increase in the production of reproduction antique chess sets. Reproduction sets are carved by hand and made to same quality standards but are less expensive. They resemble the style and antiquity of the older sets but do not have a large price tag. 
 
Should I Buy An Antique or Reproduction Chess Set?

Your queried is depending on how much you can afford the answer. Many chess players find cheaper sets and those that require less maintenance good alternatives to reproduction antique chess sets. You may be more at ease with the set for casual playing since it’s value are lower. However, replicas are not ideal for everyone. 
 
 It whoever takes pride in collecting may better go for an authentic antique chess set. One of these will cost you more, but eventually will appreciate in your collection. It is a fact that if the design of a reproduction is superior to the original piece then its price might go up in future. Nevertheless, many collectors just do not mind this aspect.
 This is he reason why many collectibles are, if not all of them, reproductions including the Reproduction Jaques Chess Set.

Some collectors both now and in the future, will spend their money on a replica of an old chess style that they like, but one should not just assume that he or she will get the best pieces at some suppliers who directly ship from India. The accuracy and quality of the reproduction are directly proportional to the piece’s value. That is why people love so much when companies such as Official Staunton Chess Company remakes Jaques Chess Set. In addition to being beautifully designed, it makes its buyers proud when they acquire it. Their pricing is always among the most competitive. Nonetheless, quality reproduction does nothing to degrade a great original item. One of these if they are done accurately with appropriate materials, finish as well as design then it can increase only really wonderful pieces popularity upwards again it shortly inevitable outselling product section on market vert quickly high repute So you must be cautious when buying products of this type or collectibles. Collectors find joy in collecting items because they get attracted to the design and beauty not by the cost of these items. Although more desirable than a replica , doesn't mean paying should be significantly higher .

Our shop, Official Staunton Chess Company, offers a variety of contemporary sets in the style of Staunton or old Jaques. Our range includes the newest Staunton sets, antique chess sets, and luxury sets at the best prices. 
 
Our collection of vintage pieces are finely handmade and carved in various types of woods such as Acacia, Sheesham, Ebony and Rosewood.  

Both the luxury pieces and their lives harvesting wood combined with beauty that just naturally turns heads make our company reputable in the business. Today, there are modern magnetic travel sets with slotted compartments which are available in storage boards and a travel pouch for old players and magnetic folding chess sets which are designed for children.