Lot 178: [FRANKLIN, Benjamin]. [TWISS, Richard, ed.]. Chess . London: Printed for G.G.J. and J. Robinson and T. & I. Egerton, 1787.

[FRANKLIN, Benjamin]. [TWISS, Richard, ed.]. Chess. London: Printed for G.G.J. and J. Robinson and T. & I. Egerton, 1787.

8vo (8.14 x 5 in). 2 vols. ii, 194, (1); xv, (1), 272 pp. Both volumes with attractively engraved title-page bearing quotations from Caxton and Ruy Lopez, each volume with an engraved plates of chess boards. (Scattered foxing). Contemporary tree calf (Rebacked, gilt-lettered morocco spine labels, boards worn). Provenance: George Barrington (bookplates); Library Company of Philadelphia (bookplates marked "duplicate"). (2)

FIRST EDITION, an anthology and bibliography of the game, containing the first book appearance of Franklin's frequently anthologized essay "The Morals of Chess" (printed in vol 1, pp.141-142). It had been previously published in the December 1786 issue of The Columbian Magazine. Franklin is believed to have been among the earliest Americans to play chess, as noted in his Autobiography. Here, he affirms that "The Game of Chess is not merely an idle amusement; several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired and strengthened by it, so as to become habits ready on all occasions." See Livingston, Franklin and His Press at Passy, 16. (2)

FRANKLIN, Benjamin. La Science du
Est. $2,000 - $3,000