The Staunton design - an introduction
From 1849 when this set was first registered by the then recognised World Chess Champion, Howard Staunton, with the assistance of Nathaniel Cooke (the Morning Herald newspaper chess correspondent) and a Hatton Garden wood turned called John Jaques, this design has been synonymous with competition play.
There are masses of copies, Staunton Design, Staunton Style, etc but only one true original – the Jaques Staunton Chess set which Staunton himself provide with a facsimile of his signature bearing the legend “without this, none are genuine”.
Following the 1972 “cold war“ classic World Championship clash between Boris Spassky (Russia) and Bobby Fischer (USA) we have always sought to commemorate this infamous battle. Our # 578/S&F set which presents a facsimile of the same 3.75” (95 mm) King size sets which were delivered to Iceland for the Championship, triple weighted and made in solid Ebony and Boxwood reflects this era perfectly with each piece being lovely stowed within lavishly felt padded and suede trimmed individual compartments inside a huge hand-bound leather “book”. On the spine and on each of the playing pieces is embossed Staunton’s signature – Jaques London 1849 – Spassky-Fisher 1972. To accompany this is a matching inlaid leather chessboard.
Although historic, we have to acknowledge that more superior sets have been produced as time moves on and the demands of this great game become more sophisticated. Our Collector’s edition is the result of a Chess Grand Master and Chess Historian’s research into the original 1849 drawings and the subsequent up-date by Staunton in 1861 which saw the addition of the “crown” being placed on the King’s Rook (castle) and Knight (horse) but not the Bishop’s which were considered “divine” with no allegiance to crown. Therefore for those seeking the ultimate in balance, design and carving perfection, our Collectors set is a truly wonderful piece. Available in 3.1”, 4” and 4.4” and in a choice of Ebony, Boxwood and Rosewood and trimmed with either suede or leather to the bases.
Whilst recognising that there is a demand for affordable “copies” of this famous design, our sourcing team has spent years looking for a suitable set to offer our clients and our “Club” design we feel ticks all the boxes. This is available right across the range from a simple leather cabinet (# 535/Clb) to a pair of book-boxes (# 578/Clb), a scalloped sided plinth (# 5225/SSP/Clb) or even within our games tables and other compendia.
