Are there any? A chess problem book. (Signed) by Anderson, G[erald] F[rank] - [1958]

Stroud, Glos: Stroud News and Journal, [1958]. First printing. Hardcover. Good+. Duodecimo in green cloth with gilt spine and front board. pp 149. Signed and inscribed by the author on the ffep: "To A. F. Downey Jun. [?] with / best wishes from / Gerry Anderson / March 24/59." The first published work on Kriegspiel problems, which is still widely cited and recognized today among problemists. In a July 2006 article, the Problemist called it "a strong candidate for the title of 'most original chess problem book ever published. The work was apparently held in high esteem by Bobby Fischer as well: a member of the British Chess Problem Society once wrote to Anderson, saying: "I write because I must have another copy of Are There Any? I had solved only up into the thirties when last night I incautiously carried it down to the Marshall Club to show it to Jack Collins. Then, seeing it in Jacks hands, Bobby Fischer pounced upon it in great excitement and before the evening was over the two of them had so made it theirs, were so comically oblivious of the mere owner, that I hadnt the heart to explain that I had brought it to show, not to bestow." The Australian-born Anderson was a pilot in WWI in the 88 Squadron and later became a diplomat in the Queens service, but was reknowned in chess circles as a master composer. Anderson was also reputed to be the last person to have played Alexander Alekshin in tournament play in Lisbon (1946) before the latter's untimely death. Front board has several abrasive scuffs to cloth and there is a miniscule tear to the top of the ffep (not affecting signature), else very good. A very scarce book. OCLC lists only 9 copies in libraries worldwide. Betts, 39-21.