Le Jeu des Eschets ("The Game of Chess") -- The 1669 1st French Edition
Paris: Chez N. Pepingve (Avec Privilege du Roi), 1669. Full leather. The 1669 1st French edition --and 1st published edition-- of Gioachino Greco's seminal "Le Jeu des Eschets". Greco (c. 1600 - c. 1634) was the strongest player in Europe in the early 17th century and among the first to record entire games, not just particular openings or combinations. His vast influence (as cited by H.J.R. Murray, among other historians of the game) is keenly felt to this day. This copy is likely in its original full-leather binding, certainly in a contemporary-to-the-period binding. Solid and VG, with minor, forgivable wear along the edges and the preliminaries. The interior though is very clean, the pages surprisingly crisp and clean. Originally recorded by hand in Greco's native Italian, here translated --and issued in book form-- for the first time. Item #20514
Price: $7,500.00