Author: Jack Lee Spence (1926-1978) editor from the library of Lothar Schimd
Year: 1951
Publisher: Nebraska Chess Association
Place: Omaha
Description
iv+1 leaf+68 numbered leaves with table and index. Quarto (11" x 8 1/2") bound in original publisher's stapled pictorial wrappers. Annotations by Fred Reinfeld. From the library of Lothar Schmid. (Linde – No. 5760; Betts 25 – 187.) American Tournament Series Volume III. Spence Limited Editions. No. 51 of 200 copies.
The United States Chess Federation's Seventh Biennial United States Championship was held from August 10 to August 31, 1948, in South Fallsburg, New York.American master Herman Steiner won the tournament to capture the national title, finishing clear first ahead of runner-up Isaac Kashdan; Herman Steiner (15/19 points), Isaac Kashdan (14½/19 points). This event marked a major milestone in Steiner's career, cementing his legacy alongside the standard-bearers of American attacking chess. Notably, a 16-year-old Larry Evans made his tournament debut here, tying for eighth place before going on to win his first national title a few years later.
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. Interior toned., previous owner's stamp to front wrapper. A few leaves show somewhat fainter print quality. Cover faded, with chipped corners else very good.