The Game of Chess, 1616, provenance: C. G. Tessin

”Gustavus Selenus” (Duke August II. von Braunschweig-Lüneburg):

Das Schach- oder König-Spiel.

Leipzig, Lorentz Kober, 1616 (date of colophon) / 1617 (date of main title). Section title of the last part with imprint ”Apud Henningum Gros. jun. / 1616”. Folio. (30,5 x 18,5 cms.) [12] + [1] leaves + 498 pages + folding letterpress table ("Tabula, synopsin exhibens, artis schachicae") + double-page engraved plate showing two gentlemen playing chess + 2 folding engraved plates (game boards) in the final part. Main title and section titles within engraved borders, numerous engravings in text (several full-page), large woodcut printer’s device on final leaf. With list of corrections on page [496].

Contemporary full vellum, lightly soiled and stained, name of Carl Gustaf Tessin (1695-1770) stamped in gilt on upper cover and his ownership inscription on title, along with small ownership inscription of a ”Johann Megatinus”. Main title laid down and with slight loss to upper margin and corners, causing slight loss of the engraved frame.

Second issue, with title dated 1617. Complete. Duke Augustus was one of the most well-read and educated European rulers of his time. The famous Bibliotheca Augusta in Wolffenbüttel is named after him. In his youth he wrote the first German language book on chess, Das Schach- oder König-Spiel. It was published under the pseudonym Gustavus Selenus, the first part of which is a rearrangement of the letters in Augustus, while the second derives from Selene = Luna and forms an allusion to Lüneburg. The book is a great rarity today.

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