Author: Charles Devide (c1858-?) and L. D. Broughton, Jr editors
Year: 1897-1898
Publisher: William Borsodi
Place: New York
Description:
vi+527+[1 ad] pages with photographs, tables, illustrations, facsimiles, period advertisements and index. Royal octavo (9 1/2" x 7") bound in flex leather with gilt lettering to spine. (Betts: 7-45) First edition.
American Chess Magazine which started from June 1897 only lasted into 1899 before coming to an end. It certainly gave value for money, mixing much prose on club life and personalities with annotated games, problems, books reviews and many other items. Volume 2 ran from the July 1898 issue to June 1899 double number. This short-lived but accomplished New York predecessor of the American Chess Bulletin. Assiduous in its reporting of the American chess scene, its clubs and personalities, but also international events like the Vienna International chess Congress; it counted among its collaborators leading U.S. players Showalter, Hodges and Shipley. Although very much in the traditional style of the day, there are a few lighter moments: an imaginary tale tells of a new rule barring chess players' entry at the pearly gates. Mr. Jakelson is furious to see his friend, Mr. Ohpee, admitted. St. Peter replies, He's no chess player - he only thinks he's one. The American Chess Magazine flickered brightly in its all - too - short existence, and has been a treasured historical rarity since.
Condition:
Leather scuffed and rubbed, tear at page 355/6 in margin with some loss of text, occasional marginalia else a good copy of a scarce chess publication.