Author: Johann Jacob Löwenthal (1810-1876) editor from the library of Lothar Schmid
Year: 1865
Publisher: Kent and Company, Jean Preti and Veit and Company
Place: London, Paris and Leipzig
Description:
vi+384 pages with diagrams and index. Octavo (9" x 6") bound in half leather with black and red labels in gilt to spine and five raised spine bands over marbled boards. From the library of Lothar Schmid. (Linde – No. 6124; van der Linde II, 123; Betts 7–9) First edition.
The Chess Player's Magazine was a prominent 19th-century British chess periodical published in London from 1863 to 1867. Serving as a critical historical record of the mid-Victorian chess era, it featured game analyses, strategy tips, and tournament news. First Series (1863–1864): Launched in July 1863, the initial volume series was primarily edited by the Austrian chess master Ernst Falkbeer (with some historical sources also associating Daniel Harrwitz with its early run). It was published initially by E. Owen and later by Kent & Co. New Series (1865–1867): The magazine entered a "New Series" under the sole editorship of the celebrated Hungarian-British chess master Johann Jacob Löwenthal. During this period, publication duties shifted to Adams & Francis. The magazine ran until it was discontinued in late 1867. The magazine is highly valued today by chess historians because it documented the games, openings, and problem studies of foundational players like Paul Morphy, Wilhelm Steinitz, and Henry Thomas Buckle.
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 bookplate to front paste-down. Name inscribed on the title page. Interior somewhat toned. Features a vertical crease mark resulting from postal transit. Binding somewhat rubbed with bumped corners. Spine slightly faded else very good. Rare edition.