John Lawson wrote on Sun, Jul 27, 2008 10:06 PM UTC:
I suggested a variantist only because he/she would possibly donate or
discount their time. An example of what could be done for rather more
money than most would be comfortable with is Henk van Haeringen's Exchess
sets.
http://superchess.nl/indexengels.htm
I also buy any reasonably priced chess set in boxwood and ebonized boxwood
that is an unusual design. I can then select pieces for whatever I have in
mind. The costs of that mount up over the years.