Before the advent of the Staunton chess set, England boasted a rich assortment of popular styles such as The St George, The English Barleycorn, and the Northern Upright, each reflecting regional and social variations. However, the Staunton set, despite its name, swiftly eclipsed them all.

Howard Staunton, a prominent figure in the chess world known for organizing tournaments and clubs in London, was hailed as one of the world's best players. In 2003, The Luxury Games Store was established, becoming a global purveyor of premier chess products, including luxury chess sets and boards, backgammon, and draughts.

According to the widely recounted origin story, sculptor Nathan Cook was the mastermind behind the design of the Staunton set. Cook meticulously refined common features from popular chess sets and drew inspiration from the Neoclassical architecture of Victorian London. The set's pawns, reminiscent of Italianate balustrades, and the uniquely carved knight resembling a horse's head, possibly inspired by the Parthenon's east pediment figures, particularly Selene's horse from the "Elgin Marbles," contributed to its iconic status.

Staunton admired Cook's commitment to simplicity and clarity in design, which led to Cook using Staunton's name in marketing the new pieces. The Staunton Chessmen, introduced to the public in 1849 by John Jaques of London, received acclaim for their elegance and durability. The set's design, a collaborative effort between Cook, Jaques, and Staunton, achieved commercial success with Staunton himself endorsing it.

While Nathaniel Cook played a crucial role in the design, and there may have been a collaboration with John Jaques, the Staunton set's triumph is attributed to its affordability, efficiency, and Staunton's enthusiastic promotion. Since the 1920s, the Staunton set has been the preferred choice of chess organizations worldwide, symbolizing a timeless legacy in the world of chess.