St. George
Named after the St. George's chess club in London who patronized this style for play in their club activities, this style has lasted well into the 20th. Most turners or manufacturers in 19th C England produced chessmen in this style, so there are plenty about in all kinds of variations, materials and qualities. St. George also seems to have been made in local variations in Germany, and possibly in France.
Rosewood
One side boxwood, other side rosewood, a typical example with the three-volume hat - base, crown and spire. The kings stand 90 mm, and the major pieces in heavier rosewood are noticeably slimmer than the light ones...age well before 1920.
Jaques
Similar design, with noteable differences - from the venerable house of John Jaques & Son. King stands 100 mm, the pieces are in boxwood natural and blackened, there is an old slidetop box with the remnants fo a Jaques sticker.
Jaques Playing set
This little set of the spiretop variety - king 66 mm - is actually contained in an old Jaques box, with a complete logotipe. Boxwood natural and blackened - 19th C.
Ebony
Very fine but incomplete set, polished boxwood and ebony, wiht the kings standing 94 mm high. quite interesting form of hat on kings- unfortunately not ocmplete, as often occurs, some pawns missing.
Pointed top
Boxwood and ebony pieces in a less common form, with a high conical hat topped by a ball on the kings. The black king was deballed in battle - happens to many good men! Kings stand 92 mm high.
German
Set from Germany - contained in a box with the word "Schach" in gothic letters on top. Very interesting how german turners interpreted the St. George style - knife sharp rings, maple wood, simplified heads on knights, strongly undercut rooks. The set is varnished - and quite old. A similar set I own is documented as before 1922!
