The Grand International Centennial Chess congress, held in Philadelphia in August, 1876, during the Celebration of the American Centennial

xix+199 pages with tables. Small octavo (7 1/2" x 5 1/4") bound in original publisher's dark brown cloth with gilt lettering to spine and blind stamped decorative ruled covers. Annotations by Jacob Elson, B M Neill and W H Sayen. (Betts: 25-11, (Bibliotheca Van der Linde-Niemeijeriana:5203) First edition.

The fourth American Chess Congress (called the American Centennial Championship) was held in Philadelphia on August 17–31, 1876 and won by James Mason. There were nine players (James Mason, Max Judd, Harry Davidson, Henry Edward Bird, Jacob Elson, Albert Roberts, Preston Ware, L D Barbour, and Dion Martinez). The entry fee was $20. First place was $300. Never intended to recognize the best player in America, this tournament was geared towards attracting foreign masters, and to awarding the Governor Garland Silver Cup, as well as celebrating the American Centennial. After Mason with +10 1/2 was Judd, a distant second with +9. A tie for third and fourth was Davidson and Bird with +8 1/2. Sole fifth was Elson with +8, and then a drop off with Roberts (+5 1/), Ware (+4), and Barbour (+2). Dion Martinez and two draws with Davidson before with drawing and did not count in the scoring.

Condition:

Former owner's book plate on front end paper, corners gently bumped, some light rubbing to spine ends else a better than very good copy.