Evening star., 1939-07-23

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he has pursued his hobby and invites
you to become collector, to special
ize in one branch of chess topics
and join the circle of bibliophiles.
How many private collectors of
chess literature do we have in the
United States? OF course, there are
several large libraries, the result of
the energetic efforts of handful of
genuine chess lovers.
BY far the largest collection of
chess literature is that of the late
John Griswold White of Cleveland,
Ohio. In the summer of 1888
paused at the Cleveland Public Lii
brary and met Walter c. Green, GUS
todian of the White chess and
checker collection. Mr.. Green I'M
locked the special steel lattice doors
that separated the chess parapner-
MALTA from the general library and I
was permitted to browse to my
hearts content.
Finds Collection Fascinating.
I saw rare editions Of Philidor,
Staunton, Bird, Blackburne, and
many items on the great Paul Nor
ply. I saw 10000 items housed in
an elevated room scarcely 20 feet by
80 feet. I marveled at the intellec-
tual ingenuity of man and his amaz-
ing thirst for delving into a game
that seemed to have unfathomed
depths. And in the midst of ancient
and modern tones of chessic con-
tent had feeling of humility and
realized that centuries had breathed
upon the game, that any contribu-
ton might make in the future to
the advancement of the game should
be in the field of Interpretation.
Yes, the White chess collec-
tion is world famous. But there
are other famous, albeit lesser
collections.
At Princeton University reposes
the E. B. Cook chess collection. At
Philadelphia, where Benjamin
Franklin's love of chess gave the
game rich heritage, there is the
George Allen chess collection in the
Ridgeway Branch of the Library
Comany. Also in the Free Library
may be found the Richard Lloyd
Willing chess collection. The death
of Silas w. Rowland in 1888 saw the
transfer of his private chess library
to the custody of Harvard University
Library at Cambridge, Mass. In the
Holland collection you will find the
Charles A. Gilberg chess library, for,
in 1880, Rowland purchased Gilberg's
chess books from a New York dealer.
Pays Tribute to White Collection.
In 1886 Tassilo Won der Lasa, re-
puted to have the largest chess COL
lection on the European continent,
wrote the American j. G. White
and said go You possess at least
double the number of my books.
- :"
Today there are innumerable small
chess libraries in the United States
and in Europe. But remember, If
you are interested in variations of
the game seek out Hoverbeck, for
medieval chess turn to Fraser, for
history Of the game 60 to Linde and
Murray, for belles-lettres consult
Prof. Aliens collection.
Do not overlook Daniel w.
Fiske. and remember that Ice
land boasts chess library.
If you know of any notable chess
collections. write this column. 1t
never Is too late to start a COL
lection of some special topics of
chess. The field is vast, and any
branch will yield infinite fun. Your
editor will point out to you in a
personal letter where to begin, or
you may write Dr. Buschke. care
American Chess Bulletin, $50 Nassau
street, New York City.
Chess Picnic Stars Naidel.
Sunday last, local chessists saun-
tered down to Hains Point and, with
perfect weather. INDUCED in the Sec
ond outdoor chess outing of the
summer season.
Present were Stuart Wagman,
Winfred Horn and family, Simon
Naidel, Willard Mutchler and fam
lily, w. B. Mundelle and friend, Bob
bic Hostler, Mrs. Hostler and Mrs.
Ellis, Ward Denman, B. Bogoljubov
N. P. Wigginton, F. w. F. Gleason,
c. w. STAN and a Mr.. Robertson.
The party broke at 7 pm.
after an afternoon of rapid
transit chess. Simon Naidel
turning in the best score, 80.