english-chess-set-by-samuel-fisher-circa-1838-1851

An advertisement in The Graphic mentions the establishment of Samuel Fisher’s firm at 188 Strand, London, in 1838. The Strand at that time- a long thoroughfare connecting Trafalgar Square with Fleet Street, and The City beyond, was a centre for shops selling luxury goods to the carriage trade.

Samuel Fisher sold all kinds of items, including billiard tables, trunks, scissors and Nuremberg caskets. The firm survived into the 20th century. Fisher chess sets are similar in design to those of Lund and Calvert, but signed examples are scarce.