W Steinitz-SIXTH AMERICAN CHESS CONGRESS-1891-SIGNED Steinitzs own copy signed with name,address and date Start Price GBP 2,600.00 Current Price GBP 2,600.00 Time Left - Bid Count 1 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, November 20, 2008 End Time Sunday, November 30, 2008 Location Suffolk See more about 'W Steinitz-SIXTH AMERICAN CHESS CONGRESS-1891-SIGNED' Description THE BOOK OF THE SIXTH AMERICAN CHESS CONGRESS Edited By WILLIAM STEINITZ   Published by The Committee of the Sixth American Chess Congress in 1891. First edition, first (and only) printing. A limited edition of 500. This is Steinitz's own copy, specifically issued to him and with his name printed on the title page. It is SIGNED by him on the first endpaper. Steinitz has also added his address and the date, June 26th 1891 (the year of publication). Original red boards with gilt titles to spine. Black chess board illustration blocked to upper and lower boards. Top edge gilt. Floral-pattern endpapers. (xxxviii) 490 pages. William Steinitz is acknowledged as the first World Chess Champion and the father of modern positional chess. Steinitz spent two years completing this record of The Sixth American Chess Congress. Each of the limited edition of 500 was issued to a specific subscriber whose name was, unusually, then printed on the title page. In this sense every one of the 500 books is unique.  The introduction to the book includes a report from the Committee which testifies to the exclusivity of the original publication at pages xii and xiii; "The Book of the Tournament will not be purchasable after the Congress, since but one edition will be issued, and when all the subscriber's have been suppplied, the plates will be destroyed, thus enhancing the value of the work to the possessors..........Efficient measures were provided  for the purpose of enabling the holders of copies of the only authorized edition of the  Book of the Congress to verify their genuineness. Among other provisions for that purpose it was decided that the books should be numbered consecutively, and that the name of each original owner of a copy should be printed on the title page along with his number, and the collective subscription list with like names and numbers should also be published inside the book." Steinitz originally subscribed to two copies and was later 'awarded' a further ten copies in part payment for his work (see the note at the end of the subscription list; last photo). Of his total allocation of twelve copies Steinitz asked for one to be issued in the name of his wife and four in the names of various friends. There are therefore only seven books issued, as this one, in the name W. Steinitz. One can only speculate as to whether any of the other seven are signed by Steinitz. I have included a photograph of the title page showing that this book was issued to W Steinitz. I have also include copies of the Subscriber's List which is included in the book (at pages xxvii-xxxviii). You can see from the list that this book (numbered 122) was one of those issued to Steinitz. Condition Boards are rubbed and marked. There is a patch of discolouration to the lower board at the bottom corner. Chipping to cloth at head and tail of spine. A small patch of cloth missing on the spine. Bumping to the corners with the cloth worn through. Internally there is a previous owner's bookplate to the front paste-down. The front hinge is cracked and detached for two thirds of its length. There is some insect damage to the margins of the front endpaper and paste-down. However, the binding of the text block is tight and the pages are clean, tightly bound-in and in excellent condition throughout. The rear hinge is also firm without any cracking. Due to its size and age this book is rarely found in particularly good condition. I have shown it to a professional binder who indicates that all the faults (internal and external) can all be remedied without too much expense. This does not include removal of the bookplate which would be difficult to achieve without damaging the paste-down. Given the historical importance of the book I decided to leave it to an eventual buyer to choose whether to remedy the defects or not. Steinitz is without doubt one of the most important figures in world chess history. This is his most important work and is scarce in any event. This copy is greatly enhanced by having belonged to Steinitz (received by him as part-payment for completing the book itself)  and featuring his signature, address and the date. A true piece of chess history. You might be interested in my other listings which include more rare books. Over the next couple of weeks I will be listing some more volumes from my chess book collection. Check out my other items! Please contact me if you have any queries or require additional photos. I will send this item by Special Delivery in the UK and by Airmail (Airsure or International Signed For) overseas.   Be sure to add me to your favourites list!   Returns Policy Buy with confidence. If you are not happy with the book for any reason then I will issue a full refund provided it is returned within 14 days of receipt. Packaging All books are bagged, carefully wrapped in bubble-wrap and then packaged in a cardboard book box. Postage to the UK Postage and packing rates as detailed below. All books under £200 will be sent by first class recorded delivery within 48 hours of receipt of payment. Books at £200 and over will be sent within 48 hours by special delivery with insurance to the full value of the book. There will not be any additional charge for this service, above the stated postage costs. Shipping overseas Shipping rates as detailed below All books under £200 will be sent by Royal Mail airmail within 48 hours of receipt of payment. Books at £200 and over will be sent within 48 hours by Royal Mail 'Airsure'  (or 'International Signed For' where 'Airsure' is not available) with insurance to the full value of the book. Once the book has been mailed I will Email you notification together with a reference number which will enable you to track or trace your delivery online. There will not be any additional charge for this service above the stated shipping costs. Combined postage I will combine postage/shipping costs. Where more than one item is purchased please request an invoice when you have finished buying. I will send an amended invoice reflecting the reduced postage/shipping costs. Be sure to add me to your favourites list! Place a Bid!