British Chess Masters Past and Present, Fred Reinfeld — 1st Edition
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Publication: London, G. Bell & Sons, Ltd., 1947
Formatting: 8vo, pp. viii, 93.
Condition Report: Very Good. The quarter-bound green cloth spine and light tan paper boards present well, though they exhibit minor age-related discolouration and mild rubbing to the extremities. The spine retains its original red lettering, which remains entirely legible despite some slight fading to the cloth. Internally, the binding remains secure and firm with no loose leaves. The text block is notably clean and bright, completely free from foxing, dog-ears, or previous ownership signatures, ensuring a highly presentable and structurally sound copy of this mid-century title.
Catalogue Note: This is a first edition of Fred Reinfeld's work on British chess history, a sought-after volume for enthusiasts of the game's classic era. Reinfeld, a highly prolific and celebrated chess author, was renowned for making chess history and strategy accessible, though he occasionally produced more rigorous historical works such as this one.
Issued in an attractive quarter-binding, the volume is a handsome testament to post-war British publishing, having been printed by The Camelot Press Ltd. While this title is not exceedingly scarce on the open market, finding tight and entirely unmarked copies such as this remains a desirable prospect for serious collectors of mid-twentieth-century chess literature.
A classic of chess literature, British Chess Masters Past and Present provides a sweeping look at the brilliance of British players spanning over a century. Through a carefully curated selection of biographies and historic games, Reinfeld highlights moments of native triumph—most notably showcasing British masters securing remarkable victories against renowned world champions. From the romantic era of 1821 to the rigorous competitive play of 1946, this collection serves as both an instructional guide and an enduring celebration of Britain's lasting contribution to the royal game.
Book Condition: Very Good
Book Authors: Fred Reinfeld
Book Publisher: G. Bell & Sons, Ltd.
Book Language: English
Narrative Type: Non-Fiction
Genre: Sport & Games
Book edition: First Edition
Signed: No
Book Pages: 101
Book Publication Year: 1947
Book Publication Date:
Book Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: N/A
Book Series: N/A
Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom
Book Dimensions:
Book Condition Guide
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| New | A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage. |
| As New | The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years. |
| Fine | The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked. |
| Near Fine | The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition. |
| Very Good | The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present. |
| Good | A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy. |
| Fair | A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity. |
| Poor | A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance. |
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