The 1849 Nathaniel Cooke staunton club chess set by “Jaques of London”.

What they did…

Jaques of London has played a pivotal role in the evolution and popularization of modern chess. Before the mid-19th century, chess pieces were either extravagantly elaborate and prohibitively expensive or crudely made with little distinction beyond size to indicate rank. However, the 1840s marked a turning point when Nathaniel Cooke, the proprietor of the Illustrated London News, collaborated with John Jaques to introduce a new, elegant design for chess pieces. Together, they refined this design into a set that utilized recognizable symbols—the crown for the king, the mitre for the bishop—making the pieces both easily identifiable and reproducible.

This innovative design was met with widespread acclaim, particularly for the beautifully crafted Knight, inspired by the iconic Elgin Marbles. The design caught the eye of Mr. Howard Staunton, the first British chess World Champion, who was so impressed that he agreed to lend his name and signature to every box of these pieces. Thus, the Staunton chess set was born, quickly becoming the global standard for chess play at all levels.

Few companies can claim to have shaped a game as Jaques of London has done with chess. Their influence extends beyond mere design to the very essence of the game itself. Today, utilizing John Jaques’ original design from 1850, Jaques of London offers a stunning collector’s chess set. This set is a limited edition, with only 100 pieces available worldwide. Each set is a work of art, with hand-carved pieces crafted by Jaques’ master craftsmen from exquisite boxwood and jet-black ebony. The 4-inch Staunton Collectors Chess Set is presented in a luxurious Mahogany casket, complete with fitted trays and a baize trim, making it not only a beautiful heirloom-quality piece but also a testament to the enduring legacy of Jaques of London in the world of chess.

My opinion of this design…

This modern Jaques of London chess set epitomizes magnificence, capturing the essence of the original design in a way that only Jaques can achieve. From the luxurious leather base pads to the stunning mahogany casket, this set is an absolute must-have for any serious collector of Jaques chess sets.

While my preference usually leans towards collecting antique Jaques sets, I felt compelled to own at least one modern set. And what better choice than Jaques’ finest set available today? It perfectly marries the rich history of Jaques with the impeccable craftsmanship of their modern artisans, making it a true masterpiece in any collection.