Author: William Lewis (1787–1870) from the Johann Jacob Löwenthal and J W Rimington Wilson libraries
Publisher: Self published
Place: London
Description:
92 pages. Small octavo (7 3/4" x 3 1/4") bound in original cloth. W. Lewis hand written manuscript of numerous chess games, all the games are in Lewis's code and the code is presented with the MS. From the Löwenthal chess library and the Rimington-Wilson chess library. Manuscript.
William Lewis was a leading English chess player, pioneering instructor, and author. He is widely cited as the first chess player in history to ever be formally described as a "grandmaster" (originally referred to as a "past master" or leading master of the game). He immortalized his name in chess opening theory through the Lewis Countergambit (1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5 3.c3 d5). He published a foundational Series of Progressive Lessons in 1831 and coached Alexander McDonnell, one of the world's top players of that era. At one point in his career, he secretly operated The Turk, the famous fake chess-playing automaton, during its exhibition in London.
James Wilson Rimington-Wilson (1822–1877): A renowned 19th-century amateur chess player and Lord of the Manor of Bolsterstone. He was famous for amassing one of the world's most extensive historical chess libraries, which included rare books and manuscripts. On the board, he secured several notable victories, including a game against the first official world chess champion, Wilhelm Steinitz.
Johann Jacob Löwenthal (1810-1876) was a Hungarian-born professional chess master. He was among the top 3 players of the 1850s. During his 1850 visit to New Orleans, Löwenthal played Paul Morphy on two separate occasions, losing a total of three games straight. He was one of the first masters to play a match against Morphy after the latter's arrival in London in 1858. Morphy won with a score of nine wins, three losses, and two draws. Just days after being defeated by Morphy, Löwenthal had his greatest success by winning the British Chess Association Congress knockout tournament in Birmingham, England, on 27 August 1858. His prize was £63. Löwenthal was for some time chess editor of The Illustrated News of the World and of The Era. He was editor also of The Chess Players' Magazine (1863–1867). In 1860, he published Morphy's Games of Chess, with Analytical and Critical Notes.[
Condition:
Old notebook with two leaves laid in. Spine with wear and chips. One leaf laid in with folds and chips to edges else good to very good of an unusual and unique chess item.