Chess
Chess
Chess
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Chess

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Author: Twiss, Richard (1747-1821)

Year: 1787-1789

Publisher: G G J & J Robinson and T & J Egerton

Place: London

Description:

2 volumes in one. ii+194 pages with plate, index and errata. xvi+272 pages with plates, index and errata. Octavo (8 3/4" x 5 3/4") bound in half leather with brown spine label in gilt and marbled boards. (Whyld and Ravillous: 1787:7; Bibliotheca Van der Linde-Niemeijeriana:4543) First edition.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) writing an essay called The Morals of Chess first appeared in the American publication Columbian Magazine or Monthly Miscellany in December 1786 (volume 1, No. 4, pages 159-161). It first appearance in book form by Richard Twiss in Chess pages 141-148. As well as Franklin's Morals it includes a compilation of all the anecdotes and quotations that could be found relative to the game of chess with an account of all the chess-books which could be procured. According to George Walker, the major part was written by Frances Douce, the antiquarian and Keeper of Manuscripts at the British Museum, a view which finds confirmation in a comment by W J Thomas, who knew Douce well, that he was a large contributor to the work.

Condition:

Previous owner's stamp and name to title page volume one, some occasional foxing else a very nice copy.