Step 1 - Select Wood
Genuine Ebony and Natural Boxwood
Step 2 - Would you like to Add a Board?
Do not add a board
Tournament
Our Tournament Wood Chess Boards are affordable, ideal for both serious and casual play, and feature House of Staunton Logo.
Savings of $10
When Bundled with Chess Pieces
Standard
Our Standard Wood Chess Boards offer the perfect combination of affordability & luxury, and are available in a variety of woods.
Savings of $20
When Bundled with Chess Pieces
Superior
Our Superior Wood Chess Boards are designed for the discerning player, crafted in Europe from exotic woods.
Savings of $20
When Bundled with Chess Pieces
Signature
Our Signature Wood Chess Boards are handcrafted out of solid woods and are the finest chess boards available.
Savings of $50
When Bundled with Chess Pieces
eBoard
Step 3 - Would you like to Add a Box?
Do not add a box
Tournament
Our Slide-top Chess Boxes are affordable, with two large storage compartments, a slide top lid, and HOS logo silk-screened.
Savings of $10
When Bundled with Chess Pieces
Standard
Our Standard Wood Chess Boxes offer the perfect combination of affordability & luxury, and are available in a variety of woods.
Savings of $50
When Bundled with Chess Pieces
Signature
Our Signature Wood Boxes are the ultimate way to protect your luxury Chess Pieces, with individual storage compartments.
Savings of $100
When Bundled with Chess Pieces
Superior
Our Superior Wood Boxes are a terrific way to protect your luxury Chess Pieces, with die-cut foam storage compartments.
Savings of $100
When Bundled with Chess Pieces
The Camaratta Collection - The First American Chess Congress Series Luxury Commemorative Chess Pieces - 4.4" King
THIS ITEM IS IN STOCK!!
PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE
Found this item at a lower price elsewhere? We'll match it!* Certain restrictions apply.
To pamper you, The House of Staunton is proud to offer The First American Chess Congress Series Luxury Commemorative Chess set from the Camaratta Collection. This full-tournament sized chess set features a 4.4" King with a 1.9" diameter base. The chess pieces are hand carved by our master artisans and crafted out of the highest grade woods. The chess pieces are heavily weighted with embossed English leather base pads embossed with the Frank Camaratta logo under the Kings, luxurious billiard cloth base pads on the other chess pieces and a beautiful finish.
As with all of our Chessmen, the 4.4" First American Chess Congress Series Luxury Commemorative Chess set exemplifies 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, quality and craftsmanship of this set is UNMATCHED by any set of Chessmen in its price range. Nothing even comes close!
The Chessmen are new and each set consists of 34 Chessmen, including four Queens, a standard that was introduced by The House of Staunton in 1993.
The Chess Set comes with an individually numbered certificate of authenticity and an original manufacturer's plaque indicating the production number, with an adhesive backing that would allow it to be affixed to the underside of a Chess box.

Our Original Manufacturer's Plaque
Click for Higher Resolution Image.
Now Available From The House of Staunton
Included with the purchase of these Chessmen is our new Original Manufacturer's Plaque. Crafted from brass, these plaques feature the engraved production details of each individual Chess set, creating a beautiful, permanent record that is truly worthy of House of Staunton-brand Chessmen.
| About Frank Camaratta |

Frank Camaratta, the Maestro, has been involved in the World of Chess for over 60 years. Initially a player, having achieved the rank of International Master, Frank broadened his horizons, involving himself in chess promotion & governance, chess collecting and chess design research. He also has produced several chess-related patents, the most significant of which is Time Delay. Frank is today considered the foremost authority of Jaques and other Staunton and pre-Staunton chessmen, having written numerous articles on the subject.
Mr. Camaratta founded The House of Staunton in 1990, primarily collecting and dealing in antique chess equipment. It was during that period that inspiration struck to instill Old world craftsmanship and pride into present-day chessmen. In pursuit of that goal, Frank retired from his position as an Engineering Director on the Space Shuttle Program in 1998 to devote full time to making his vision a reality, which he did after spending years of research and study in to Staunton and pre-Staunton designs. The House of Staunton has emerged as the World’s leading producer of Pre-Staunton and Staunton chessmen, as well as numerous artistically-inspired sets, which are unmatched in design, accuracy and craftsmanship.
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ISBN
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Does not apply
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King Height
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4.4'' inch / 11.18 cm
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King Base Diameter
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1.9" inch / 4.83 cm
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Basepad Material
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The Kings Feature English Leather Embossed with Frank Camaratta Signature™
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Material(s)
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Genuine Ebony and Natural Boxwood
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Median Set Weight
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72.1 Ounces
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Total Number of Pieces
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34 Chess Pieces, including 2 Additional Queens (for Pawn Promotion)
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DGT eBoard Compatible
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0
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Fitted Coffer Compatible?
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Fits in Fitted Coffer
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Included with Purchase
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Certificate of Authenticity, Engraved Registered Plaque, and Individual Production Number
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Chess Board Included?
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The Chess Board featured is for photographic purposes only and must be purchased separately
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Recommended Chess Board Size
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2.5" inch / 6.4 cm
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Wood Selection(s)
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Genuine Ebony and Natural Boxwood
Included with Purchase
- Certificate of Authenticity
- Engraved Registered Plaque
- Individual Production Number
History of the Chess Pieces
First American Chess Congress Chessmen
The first American Chess Congress, organized by Daniel Willard Fiske and held in New York, October 6 to November 10, 1857, was won by Paul Morphy.
The top sixteen American players were invited. Attached are images of the First American Chess Congress 1857. All members of the Congress are shown, including those who did not play in the main tournament. Top row: Colonel Charles Mead (chairman), George Hammond, Frederic Perrin, Daniel Willard Fiske, Hiram Kennicott, and Hardman Philips Montgomery. Left column: Hubert Knott, Louis Paulsen, and William Allison. Bottom row: Theodore Lichtenhein, James Thompson, Charles Henry Stanley, Alexander Beaufort Meek, Samuel Robert Calthrop, and Napoleon Marache. Right column: William James Fuller, Paul Morphy, and Benjamin Raphael.
First prize was $300. Morphy refused any money, but accepted a silver service consisting of a pitcher, four goblets, and a tray. Morphy's prize was given to him by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
The First American Chess Congress is now just a memory, but these exquisite chessmen are a fitting tribute to that historical event.