An easy introduction to the game of chess : chiefly selected from the best writers on that subject (By an amateur.)

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Bingham, Caleb, 1757-1817.

An amateur.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Chess, Easy.

Local Subjects:

Chess, Easy.

Physical Description:

28 p. ; 10 cm.

Place of Publication:

Boston : Published by C. Bingham & Co. Booksellers, no. 45, Cornhill, [between ca. 1805 and ca. 1820]

Notes:

Ms. date in pencil at foot of title: "circa 1805." References vary, however, in their suggestions for dates: Shaw and Shoemaker, 8032, cite [1805?] based on G. A. Baker's Catalogue no. 27, item 238, May 1939. National Union Cat. Pre-1956 Imprints lists [ca. 1810]; Cleveland Public Library, Cat. of Chess Coll., v. 1, p. 156: [182-?], and Hagedorn, Benjamin Franklin and chess in Early America, no. 5: (ca. 1820).

"H. Bowen, Printer": p. 28.

"This chapbook is of extreme rarity. ... [In] 2 gatherings of 14 leaves each. C. Bingham is probably Caleb Bingham, of some importance in the history of American education, author, bookseller, and compiler of textbooks. The publication of a book in chapbook format suggests a popular demand for that type of book. We can safely deduce that American chess had come of age during this period." cf. Hagedorn no. 5.