Author: Jack Lee Spence (1926-1978) editor from the library of Lothar Schmid
Year: 1954
Publisher: Spence Limited Editions
Place: Omaha
Description:
vi+42 numbered leaves; 1 leaf of advertisements with table. Quarto (11" 8 3/4") bound in original publisher's Original spiral binding. Spence Limited Edition of tournament books, *American Tournament Series*, Volume IX. No. 10 in a series of limited editions. From the library of Lothar Schmid. (Betts 25-220) First edition limited to 128 copies which this is number 98.
Returning to its Midwest roots seemed to do wonders for the US Open, as Milwaukee smashed the previous attendance record set at Detroit 1950 by a full 50%, totalling 181 players in a thirteen-round event. An exciting finish saw defeat Max Pavey and edge him out by 1/2-point.
In Open trivia, set a record by playing in his 15th tournament, while tied the old record with his 14th (set by and ). The most notable debutant was .
The published cross-table was full of errors and had no results beyond player #42.
Lothar Maximilian Lorenz Schmid (10 May 1928 - 18 May 2013) was a German chess grandmaster. He was born in Radebeul near Dresden into a family who were the co-owners of the Karl May Press, which published the German Karl May adventure novels. He was best known as the chief arbiter at several World Chess Championship matches, in particular the 1972 encounter between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky at Reykjavic. He was also an avid collector of chess books and paraphernalia. It was reputed that he owned the largest known private chess library in the world, as well as a renowned collection of chess art, chess boards and chess pieces from around the globe.
Condition:
Lothar Schmid's book plate to front wrapper verso. Printed from typescript, some toning of wrappers else very good.