Description
Antique Type 10 Staunton Chessmen, Library Size.
Shown here is a set of Antique Type 10 Staunton Chessmen, Library size. These vintage chessmen are Boxwood and Ebony, unweighted and rest atop green baize base pads. The King stands 3-1/8″ tall with a 1-7/16″ diameter base. The Kingside Knights and Rooks are not differentiated. The Knights mildly resemble those found in the early sets made by Richard Whitty. The chess pieces hare housed in a plain, unlined wooden slide-top box, not original to the set.
Some distinguishing characteristics of these chessmen are their rather broad bases. These chess pieces have a very imposing board presence. The Rooks are particularly stout and aggressive appearing. The King sports a the characteristic Formée cross finial and the Bishops have very deep, wide miters. The chess pieces are housed in a replacement slide-top box. Although there is no definitive supporting evidence, based on experience and the appearance of the chessmen, these particular chess pieces were made in England and would have been produced in the mid-1850s. The chessmen are in very good condition for their age and have developed a very pleasing honey patina. Aside from a chip on the fine upper ring of the Boxwood King’s crown, there appears to be no damage to any of the chessmen. These Type 10 Staunton Chessmen play and display best on a chessboard with 2-0″ or 2-1/8″ squares.
The antique chessboard and Sutton-Coldfield chess timer shown here are not included. For a complete selection of our finest new and antique chessboards and game timers, click here. If you are interested in the history of the Staunton Chessmen, click here. Some interesting historical articles about chessmen and collecting can be found here.
