Gréco

Best.-Nr. 65563 — London: Printed for J. and P. Knapton 1750. 12mo. 11.5 x 7 cm. pp.xxvi 212. Contemporary calf spine rebacked and lettered in gilt covers ruled in gilt renewed patterned endpapers. Copper-engraved frontispiece by I. S. Müller after C. D. Moor folding engraved chess board diagram. Early ownership inscription on frontispiece recto "George Johnson his Book"; bookplate of Poul Hage 1906-1984 Danish chess champion on front pastedown. Covers slightly rubbed small wear to corners faint damp stain to inner margin of initial leaves occasional light foxing folding diagram with partial split to fold and manuscript title on reverse. A very good copy. First edition based on Greco's 'Tratto del nobilissimo giuoco degli scacchi'. Reckoned as the greatest chess player of the 17th century Greco circulated his manuscripts of games among wealthy patrons from around 1620 and these manuscripts "became one of the most important productions in the literature of chess" Murray p. 830. Gioachino Greco c.1600-1634 dominated the era that fell between Ruy López and Philidor earned his living through chess and was among the game's first professional players. "A complete game appeals to a larger public than does analysis however accurate and it is to this novel feature of Greco's work that its instant and lasting popularity was due" Murray p. 830. He was the first writer to record entire chess games from start to finish rather than just isolated positional studies or endgame problems. London: Printed for J. and P. Knapton, 1750. unknown