Author: Daniel Willard Fiske (1831-1904) from the libraries of J. W. Rimington Wilson and Lothar Schmid
Year: 1858
Publisher: Rudd and Carleton
Place: New York
Description:
xii+[13]-563+[15 ad] pages with frontispiece, diagrams and bibliography. Octavo (8" x 5 1/2") bound in original publisher's red cloth with gilt lettering to spine and blind-stamped logo to front and back covers and ruled edges. From the libraries of J. W. Rimington Wilson and Lothar Schmid. (Linden - N. 5184; van der Linde II, 84; Betts:1-1; Betts:5-2; Betts:25-3) First edition.
Includes 67 games from the first American tournament. The first American Chess Congress was held in New York City from October 6th to November 10th, 1857. Organized by Daniel Willard Fiske, the tournament was designed as a knockout format similar to the one seen at London in 1851, with the provision that draws did not count and had to be replayed.
The first prize was $300. The sixteen best American chess masters were invited to participate in the event, including Paul Morphy and Louis Paulsen. Morphy dominated the event, sweeping each of his opponents until Paulsen in the final. Despite dropping one game in the final match, Morphy finished the tournament with an astounding 14 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss. Not one to accept money for chess, Morphy turned down the cash prize in exchange for a silver tray, pitcher, and four goblets in its place. His victory cemented him as one of the best players in the world (if not the best), and prompted his tour across the Atlantic where he faced the best Europe had to offer in a series of matches, winning each and every one of them. Not long after his return to America, Morphy would retire from chess.
Included is "The History of the Automation Chess-Player" by George Allen, "Incidents in the history of American Chess", "Introductory sketch of the History of Chess", "Paul Morphy", "Chess life of Benjamin Franklin", "Lewis Rou: the Rou Manuscript", "Chess in Philadelphia", "Chess in Boston", "Lowenthal's visit to American", "Chess in New York", "Chess in New Orleans". Also contains 53 problems with solutions, a bibliography of chess works published in the Untied States to 1859 and a general account of the tournament proceedings.
James Wilson Rimington-Wilson (1822-1877) was one of the great collectors of books about chess, as well as books about other games and sports. He was a strong amateur chess player and records of some of his games survive, including a victory over Wilhelm Steinitz, the first official world champion of chess. Rimington-Wilson developed an extensive gaming library, which was maintained and perhaps added to by his son, Reginald Henry Rimington-Wilson (1852-1927). After the death of R. H., his son Captain H. E. Rimington-Wilson (1899-1971) ordered the sale of the library by auction at Sotheby's. It was the Quaritch firm that purchased the vast majority of the Rimington-Wilson lots at Sotheby's. They offered the books in two catalogues shortly after the sale.
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: Signature on the flyleaf and handwritten notes by the 19th-century English chess book collector J. W. Rimington Wilson on pages 331 and 339. Lothar Schmid's book plate to front paste down. Interior slightly toned, occasionally stained, and with a few pencil underlines. Cover bumped at corners and edges else very good of a unique association copy.