TITLE: The Game of Chess
SUBTITLE: Translated and Printed by William Caxton c.1483. Reproduced in Facsimile from the Copy at Trinity College, Cambridge, with an Introduction by N F Blake
AUTHOR: Jacobus de Cessolis
PUBLISHER: The Scolar Press
PLACE: London
YEAR: 1976
EDITION: Fascimile
NUMBERED: 152 / 500
NO.OF PAGES: 176
BINDING: Hessian cloth binding with tan leather label on the spine
SIZE:
Height: 29 cm
Width: 20 cm
Depth: 2.2 cm

This facsimile of Caxton's edition of "The Game of Chess," circa 1483, reproduces the copy in the library of Trinity College, Cambridge. Leaf g5 is reproduced from the copy in the Bodleian Library, Oxford.

Jacobus de Cessolis (Jacopo da Cessole) (c. 1250 - c. 1322) was an Italian author of the most famous morality book on chess in the Middle Ages.

In the second half of the 13th century, Jacobus de Cessolis, a Dominican friar in Cessole (Asti district, Piemonte, Northern Italy) used chess as the basis for a series of sermons on morality. They later became Liber de moribus hominum et officiis nobilium super ludo scacchorum ('Book of the customs of men and the duties of nobles or the Book of Chess'). The popular work was translated into many other languages and was first printed in Utrecht in 1473. Chess historian Harold Murray asserts that the popularity of the work rivalled "that of the Bible itself." The work was the basis for William Caxton's The Game and Playe of the Chesse (1474), one of the first books printed in English. Source: Wikipedia.

CONDITION:
This lot will be sold in "as is" condition.
There may be some minor tears/creases scratches, or holes commensurate with age that may not be visible in the images..br.
The books on sale in this auction are rare, out-of-print and otherwise collectable, dating from the 19th century onwards. The technology and material for printing and binding books have evolved over the last few centuries. From being the exclusive preserve of Clergy and Kings to an item of everyday application, the availability and use of books have also evolved over time. Books age over time and deterioration in a book's condition depends on many factors, including the original materials used and conditions of usage over time. Books will often show signs of foxing, fading, shelf-ware or dust jacket damage through usage. Prolonged storage may also cause wormhole damage or water stains.

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