Chess Practice, H. E. Bird — 1st Edition

£100.00

Chess Practice, H. E. Bird — 1st Edition

Name: Chess Practice, H. E. Bird — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4542
Price: 100.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, 1882

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [v], 96.

Condition Report: Good. The original red cloth boards show moderate rubbing, scuffing, and minor staining, particularly at the corners and along the extremities, with fading to the spine and bumping to the head and tail. However, the gilt lettering on the front board remains remarkably bright and unoxidised, and the text block edges retain their original gilt finish. Internally, the binding is intact though slightly tender, reflective of its age and historical use. The yellow endpapers and internal pages are clean with only standard, faint age-toning, making this a complete and highly presentable survivor of a scarce text despite the exterior wear.

Catalogue Note: First edition. This copy possesses charming and significant provenance, retaining a contemporary owner’s pencilled inscription dated 13th October 1882, the year of publication, on the front free endpaper. Furthermore, an original officers' list card for the Manchester Chess Club, covering the year 1905–1906, is laid in, adding a wonderful layer of local chess history.

Copies of this true first printing in the original cloth are scarce on the open market. While the text has been reproduced heavily in modern times, securing an original 19th-century survivor with strong contemporary associations is an uncommon opportunity for the dedicated chess collector.

H. E. Bird’s Chess Practice is a foundational 19th-century record of chess mastery, meticulously categorising the actual openings of the greatest games played up to its era. Featuring brilliant specimens from legends such as Morphy, Steinitz, Anderssen, and Staunton alongside Bird’s own tactical brilliance, this work offers both historical insight and enduring strategic value. Complete with a tabulated index designed to simplify the comparison of different lines of play, it remains an indispensable volume for chess historians and enthusiasts seeking to understand the foundational strategies of the romantic era of chess.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: Henry Edward Bird

Book Publisher: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Sport & Games

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 96

Book Publication Year: 1882

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

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

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.