Johann Jacob Löwenthal | Two autograph manuscript volumes, c.1860s

Johann Jacob Löwenthal

Two autograph manuscripts:

(i) "Letters on chess", comprising drafts of 11 letters, some initialled ("J.L."), to various correspondents, including to Harrwitz, Paulsen, Anderssen (referring to his promised analysis of the Evans Gambit), Lange, Von der Lasa (mentioning his Berliner Schach-Erinnerungen), Jaenisch, inviting them to the London 1862 chess tournament, and discussing matters relating to the organization of the tournament, mentioning Staunton ("...den Sie [Anderssen] im Jahre 1851 moralisch den Garaus gemacht haben..."), Hamppe, Falkbeer, and others, 81 pages, 8vo (167 x 101 mm), modern pencil foliation ("1"–"157"), various later inscriptions in ink and pencil to front endpapers, including ownership inscription ("J W Rimington Wilson Broomhead Hall Chess Library"), the two leaves bearing pages 121–123 (belonging to the first letter) misbound, contemporary half calf over marbled boards, spine lettered in gilt ("Letters on Chess-M.ss. / Lowenthal"), one letter dated London, 3 April 1862 (the rest presumably also from 1862), upper edges gilt, central vertical crease to each leaf, old repair to outer edge of first leaf, small tear to pp.125/[126], edges trimmed, slightly affecting text in a few places, browning to edges

(ii) "Chess rules and maxims", comprising various distinct drafts and memoranda on chess strategy, some with headings, including "Maxims and hints for beginners" (two drafts), "The disposition of the forces", "Conception of a plan & its execution", "Theoretical rules" (two drafts), on various stocks of paper and including 22 edge-mounted leaves from smaller notebooks, altogether c. 55 pages, plus blanks, 4to (240 x 185 mm), contemporary half calf over marbled boards, spine lettered in gilt, joints weak, loss at spine

Johann Jacob Löwenthal (1810–1876) was one of the dominant figures in chess of the mid-nineteenth century. Hungarian and of Jewish heritage, he was a supporter of the liberal democratic government that came to power briefly in 1848, the year of revolution, and was sufficiently prominent in the administration to be expelled from Hungary following the re-establishment of Habsburg rule in 1849. Löwenthal fled to America. He intended to move west and settle on the land, but he was soon persuaded that he was better suited to pursue a professional career in chess. He moved to Britain in the early 1850s and in 1858 he won the second British Chess Association (BCA) Congress. Löwenthal was probably best known for his matches against the legendary Paul Morphy. He was editor of The Chess Player's Magazine, and contributed articles on chess to various other publications. The London tournament of 1862, in the organization of which Löwenthal played a leading role, was one of the most celebrated competitions of the nineteenth century. The draft letter by Löwenthal to the winner of that event, the great German player Adolf Anderssen (1818–1879), is one of the most fascinating contained in the first manuscript volume. In his will he left all he had to "promote the interests of English chess" and the Lowenthal Cup, which was purchased by his executors, remains to this day the annual prize of the English county championship.

PROVENANCE:

(i) J.W. Rimington-Wilson (1822–1877); sale of his collection in these rooms, 27–28 February 1928, lot 380 (part lot)

(ii) J.W. Rimington-Wilson (1822–1877); sale of his collection in these rooms, 27–28 February 1928, lot 380 (part lot); Brooklyn Public Library (ink stamp)