House of Staunton has much more accurate historical replicas. The New York 1924 set is a great replica of a British Chess Company set from the1920s and 30s. The Cooke set is  the closest on the market to the original Staunton drawings. The Rejkjavic set is the best replica I've seen of Fischer-Spassky. Sutton Coldfield, Liberty, Mechanics Institute, and Windsor are more unusual historical replicas. Stay away from the Capablanca set; it was a beautiful  wooden version of the beautiful plastic Cavalier design--but the design has degenerated heavily since the first version.

Check out antique chess collections on the web for reference. For example, here is the original for New York 1924 http://www.chessantiques.com/BCC&Others/tn/images/bcc1935.jpg

As for non-replica designs, use your own eye and buy what you like! The MOW sets I've seen are also well-made for the price.

Hi Everyone,
I am planning on buying a new chess set.  I am wondering which is "better"  The House of Staunton or Mark of West minster stuff??  Anyone own both??!?!?  Anyone at least seen both and choose one over the other??
Thanks,
Zatara