Lot #153. Nathaniel Cooke 1849 Staunton Chessmen
Original Nathaniel Cooke 1849 Staunton Chessmen.
Offered here is an exact reproduction of the original Club-Size Nathaniel Cooke 1849 Staunton Chessmen, recreated by noted Staunton authority, Frank Camaratta. It is an accurate recreation of the very first Club-size Jaques Cooke style 1849 Staunton Chessmen, registered by Nathaniel Cooke in 1849. This is a full Club-size set, featuring a 4-3/8″ King with a 1-7/8″ diameter base. The chessmen are crafted from Boxwood and Cocobolo and are very heavily weighted. Each set of the Cooke 1849 Staunton chessmen is cushioned atop luxurious, gold-embossed black English leather base pads and housed in an accurate reproduction of the original baize-lined, hand-dovetailed Cocobolo box. These Cooke 1849 Staunton chessmen are accurate – right down to the impression of a red king’s crown on the summits of one Knight and Rook from each army to designate the Kingside piece. This is set Number 02. Only two sets were made from exotic Cocobolo. Unlike Ebony, Cocobolo pieces rarely, if ever, develop hairline cracks so common in weighted Ebony chesmen.
The box itself is accurate, right down to the small green Staunton Chessmen on the underside of the lid and the hand-signed manufacturer’s label affixed to the underside of the box. The box features a cast brass keyhole escutcheon, brass stop hinges and an authentic semi-mortise lock and key set – exactly like the original! The Cooke 1849 Staunton Chessmen are new and each set consists of 34 Chessmen, including four Queens, now a standard that was introduced by The House of Staunton over 20 years ago. We also reproduce the chessboard for this set of chessmen that was offered by Jaques in 1849. To see this board, along with our extensive collection of new and antique chessboards, please click here.
Here’s your chance to own a set of tournament-sized Staunton chessmen exactly as they looked when they first appeared in stores on September 29, 1849! Note the masterful workmanship on the original Knights derived from the noble steeds whose visages are captured in the Parthenon frieze (expropriated between 1801 and 1812) by Thomas Bruce, 7th Lord of Elgin and since referred to as the Elgin Marbles), the distinctive, finely detailed Knight head was the hallmark of the Staunton design. The reproduction Cooke 1849 Staunton Chessmen are hand-carved by our master artisans and crafted out of the highest grade woods. The Chess pieces are heavily weighted with luxurious billiard cloth base pads on the other Chess pieces and a beautiful finish. The design of the 1849 Cooke Series Chessmen embodies the form, board presence and craftsmanship of the original Staunton pattern Chessmen. The House of Staunton has recaptured the essence of these magnificent Chess pieces and made them available on a very limited basis.
The reproduction Cooke 1849 Staunton Chessmen exemplify a perfect combination of distinct beauty and functionality. It has been designed to withstand the rigors of practical play while maintaining an elegance which has become the hallmark of a House of Staunton chess set. The design, accuracy, quality and craftsmanship of this set is UNMATCHED by any set of Chessmen at any price. Nothing even comes close! For a brief history of the John Jaques Company and the Staunton Chessmen, click here.
The rest is history. The Staunton pattern chessmen quickly became the World standard for serious and casual play. The relatively low production cost brought chess to the masses and did much to popularize the game. Its clean, simple design has never been equaled – the original design looks as modern today as it did upon its introduction over 166 years ago. Some useful information on collecting JAques Staunton chessmen can be found by clicking here.
The House of Staunton name is now recognized World-Wide as synonymous for quality and exquisite design – the chessmen for those with exquisite taste. The perfect gift for the man or woman who has everything. They are so well respected that they even made the comics!
