The Community of the Future

The final book published by the German Grandmaster and second world champion of chess, Emanuel Lasker (1868-1941). Lasker held the title for 27 years making his reign as champion the longest in history. The Community of the Future,unlike his other publications, did not deal with chess at all, but was rather a compilation of his political writings including on society, the fate of the European Jews, unemployment, antisemitism, etc. The collection was published by a friend, M.J. Bernin in a small number, and Lasker died the year after it was released making signed copies particularly uncommon. This is a wonderful association copy additionally signed by the "Father of Northern California Chess," and honorary Grandmaster, George Koltanowski (1903-2000). Koltanowski was the director of the Sonoma Chess Festival, later called "The Valley of the Moon Chess Festival," sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, the first being in 1949. According toChess Lifemagazine, 1963, Koltanowski would hand out book and "surprise" prizes in addition to trophies to the winners. We find another example of him signing a book,The Bright Side of Chess,by Irving Chernev, given to a winner in 1954. Though the two did not overlap greatly in their playing careers, we do know Lasker was on hand in 1938 to watch Koltanowski's first American blindfold exhibition in New York. Lasker frequently visited the Bay area beginning in 1902 and Koltanowski often wrote of Lasker's famous games and strategies. The two also both came from Jewish backgrounds. A wonderful signed copy of a scarce book to begin with and with the provenance of an important postwar chess tournament in Northern California. 8vo, 294, [1]pp. Signed by Lasker on rear endpaper, upside down, and signed by George Koltanowski on front endpaper. Both endpapers with stamps from Sonoma Chess Festival. Publisher's black cloth, spine lettered in gilt. Spine ends and corners bruised, gilt dulled, scuffing to rear joint. Clean internally and very good.…