Queen's Diamond Jubilee Chess Set

Not impressed.  Meh.

Hull firm's chess set for Queen's Jubilee a hit with top London retailers
Wednesday, December 07, 2011

MAJESTIC: Michael Lee, of Studio Anne Carlton, with the Diamond Jubilee chess set. Picture: Jerome Ellerby

IT HAS already received the royal seal of approval.

And now, Studio Anne Carlton's official Diamond Jubilee chess set is proving a hit with the top London retailers.

The Goulton Street-based games manufacturer was licensed by St George's Chapel at Windsor and the Lord Chamberlain's office to produce the official set.

Each chess piece is individually sculpted in England and marked with the Queen's Cypher.
London's most prestigious destination stores, including Hamleys in Regent Street, Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly and Harrods in Knightsbridge, are all stocking the set, which went into production on October 1.
It is just one of a number of commemorative items being produced for the Diamond Jubilee next year, which marks 60 years of the Queen's reign.

"The feedback so far has been very positive," said Michael Lee, managing director of Studio Anne Carlton.

"Everybody loves the detail of the pieces and they see the set as a prestigious Diamond Jubilee souvenir."

Online outlets for the set include the official Royal Collection website and numerous retailers that specialise in high-class gifts.

The chess pieces include the Queen and the Prince Philip in their Garter Ceremony robes. The bishop is the Dean of Windsor, the Right Reverend David Conner, and the rook is the Round Tower at Windsor Castle.

The knights are based on the Military Knights of Windsor and the pawns are represented as choristers.

The set is available in full colour or in an antiqued finish and the figures of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh can be purchased individually.

As part of the official Diamond Jubilee gift range, the items will only be on sale for one year, so production will cease on September 30.

"It is a limited edition in terms of time," said Michael.

"We have been working hard to make sure the retailers are aware of that, and the result is that the set is generating a lot of interest among chess enthusiasts and among collectors.

"The mainstream Diamond Jubilee souvenirs will emerge in the new year, but the more prestigious products are available now.

"We expect to benefit from Christmas sales. Maybe people will play with our set while they listen to Her Majesty's speech.

"There are also signs of interest in the corporate gift market. A Diamond Jubilee chess set looks terrific in the boardroom."

Studio Anne Carlton has a tradition, dating back to the 1960s, of making high-quality traditional games and commemorative chess sets.

The company's products include a set based on the Tower of London under licence from Historic Royal Palaces, as well as a set to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, a project licensed by the National Maritime Museum.