Noticed that even later, in the early 70s, in NYC the sidewalk roasted chesnut vendors slowly disappeared in late fall and winter. They practically surrounded Rockefeller Center at Christmas time and into the New Year.
Hardly ever see chestnuts in any markets, even the speciality food stores.
True that, chestnuts are a verrry rare commodity !
Back in the very early 80's, I sent away for chestnut blight resistant nuts as there are some tree nurseries that are trying to bring back the American chestnut.
I received three small nuts, planted them all, and only one nut sprouted. When last I passed by that old farmstead of decades ago, I saw the nut which I had planted and nursed was now an isolated 28 foot tree.
There are now very few vestiges of American chestnut stands, mostly in isolated areas; one such small area nearby is a County park of glacial eskers and pot holes
which account for the trees isolation and survivability, but too far away for pollination.
Hopefully, there will be a resurgence of Chestnut since the roasted nuts are delicious, and the wood has a lustrous inherent beauty.
An excellent book on Chestnut woodworking and beauty as well as other woods:
"A Reverence for Wood" by Eric Sloane - (with color plates !)