The clipper chess problem tournament. To which a large number of original, and a few selected positions have been added

216 pages with frontispiece and diagrams. Duodecimo (6 1/4" x 4") bound in original publisher's brown cloth with gilt lettering to spine and pictorial cover. Handwritten dedication by Miron J. Hazeltine on a leaf tipped to the endpaper (Linden - N. 2398; Kiel Chess Catalog 6164; Betts 32 – 3) First edition.

leaf mounted on the endpaper: Presented to Herr J. Löwenthal, with the kindest regards of his friend in chess Miron J. Hazeltine. July 4th 1865. With autograph signature of 19th century English chess book collector J.W. Rimington Wilson on inside cover and the note "From Lowenthals Chess Library.

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.

Johann Jacob Löwenthal (1810-1876) was a professional chess master. He was among the top 3 players of the 1850s.

Miron James Hazeltine (1824 - 1907) was a justice of the peace in Campton Village, New Hampshire and then moved to Thornton. The first US newspaper chess column in the New York Saturday Courier in 1855 is attributed to Hazeltine. His life, however, became the chess column he wrote in the New York Clipper from 1856 until his death in 1907. He was a source of games that would otherwise have been lost. He was also active as an author of chess books. At his death in 1907, Hazeltine is said to have had one of the largest chess libraries in the United States at the time.

Contains 78 problems entered for the tourney organized by The New York Clipper and 89 others, by various composers. This is a miscellaneous collection in mates from 2 to 36 moves.

Condition:

Former library copy from the Brooklyn Public Library with their stamp to head and heal end pages. Label to title. Slightly toned inside, Binding slightly bumped and rubbed. Spine with handwritten number else about very good.