Simple Two-Move Themes

xiv+218 with diagrams and index. Small octavo (7 1/2" x 5") bound in original publisher's red cloth with gilt lettering to spine and cover. Edited by George Hume. From the library of Kenneth S Howard. A C White's Christmas Series with greeting tipped in. (Betts: 35-5) First edition. 100 themes (or sub-divisions of themes) described, each accompanied by a group of 6 illustrative examples by various composers. In all, 600 problems, with solutions. Includes indexes and composers, terms and themes. Kenneth Samuel Howard (1882-1972) one of the founders of the Marshall Chess Club and chess problem composer. He wrote several books about chess composition: The enjoyment of chess problems (1943), How to solve chess problems (1945), and One hundred years of the American two-move chess problem; a collection of 212 compositions by United States problemists (1962). Condition: Some pencil marginalia, old review tipped in to front end paper. Howard's signature on front paste down, corners bumped and rubbed through, spine age toned with gilt dulled, spine ends rubbed else a good copy.…