A Faithful Reproduction of the Iconic 1856 Jaques Club Size Anderssen Chessmen

The House of Staunton is honored to present The Anderssen Luxury Chess Pieces, an exact and meticulously researched reproduction of the famed Jaques Club Size Anderssen Chessmen as they appeared in 1856. Recreated by noted Staunton authority Frank Camaratta, this extraordinary set captures every defining nuance of the original mid-19th-century design.

This full Club Size Staunton pattern set boasts a commanding 4-3/8" King with a 1-7/8" diameter base, perfectly weighted to provide exceptional stability and satisfying heft during practical play. Each piece rests atop plush green billiard cloth base pads, ensuring smooth movement and a refined tactile presence. In keeping with the historic Jaques standard, one Knight and one Rook from each army bear the impressed King’s crown, denoting their Kingside placement - a detail faithfully preserved in this masterful reproduction.

Crafted from Natural Boxwood and Ebony, the Chessmen exhibit exceptional contrast, resulting in a visually stunning display on the board. Each set includes 34 Chessmen, featuring two additional Queens for seamless and dignified Pawn promotion - a now-universal standard originally introduced by Mr. Camaratta more than three decades ago.

The Knights are particularly noteworthy: their noble countenances are inspired by the magnificent steeds depicted in the Parthenon frieze (famously appropriated between 1801 and 1812 by Lord Elgin, and since known as the Elgin Marbles). This distinctively sculpted Knight, full of expressive strength and classical elegance, has long been regarded as the hallmark of the true Staunton design.

Turned and hand-carved by our master artisans from the highest-grade woods, these Club Size Anderssen Chessmen exemplify the perfect harmony of beauty, precision, and uncompromising functionality. Designed to endure the rigors of competitive play while maintaining an unparalleled aesthetic refinement, this reproduction reflects the enduring legacy and exceptional craftsmanship that define all Frank Camaratta creations.

The design, accuracy, quality, and craftsmanship of these Club Size Anderssen Chessmen is truly UNMATCHED. Nothing even comes close! This is your opportunity to own a tournament-sized reproduction exactly as the Anderssen Chessmen appeared when first introduced to retail counters in 1856.

Some Background

Karl Ernst Adolf Anderssen, born July 6, 1818 in Breslau, Germany (now Wroclaw, Poland), was widely regarded as the world’s leading chess player for much of the 1850s and 1860s. He learned the game at age nine from his father and spent much of his life as a mathematics professor - viewing chess as a passion rather than a profession.

From 1851 to 1878, Anderssen was one of Europe’s most successful competitors, taking first prize in over half of the tournaments in which he participated. His most celebrated triumph was the London Tournament of 1851, considered the first major tournament of the Modern Era, where he overcame a field of the world’s sixteen strongest players. Though Wilhelm Steinitz would later become the first official World Champion, the organizers of the 1851 event regarded its victor - Anderssen - as the de facto champion of the chess world.

His supremacy was challenged in 1858 by the incomparable Paul Morphy, whose decisive victory temporarily displaced Anderssen. But when Morphy abruptly retired, Anderssen regained recognition as the world’s strongest active player. Remarkably, many of his greatest achievements occurred after the age of fifty.

Anderssen is still celebrated today for his dazzling sacrificial style and brilliant attacking play, immortalized in such masterpieces as the “Immortal Game” (1851) and the “Evergreen Game” (1852). Wilhelm Steinitz himself described Anderssen as one of the two greatest attacking players of his era. Known for his modesty, warmth, and gentlemanly demeanor, he would become the beloved “elder statesman” of the chess world.

Karl Anderssen died on March 13, 1879, in his hometown. His passing was memorialized with a nineteen-page obituary in Deutsche Schachzeitung - a testament to the immense respect he commanded. He now rests at Osobowicki Cemetery.

Chessmas Day 12

The Anderssen Luxury Chess Pieces - 4.4" King - From the Camaratta Collection