Wiener Schach-Zeitung. Organ für das gesamte Schachleben

xix+351 pages with diagrams, tables and index. Royal octavo (9 3/4" x 6 1/2") bound in blue cloth with gilt lettering to spine . Volume I (1). (Bibliotheca van der Linde-Niemeijeriana:5957) First edition.

The Wiener Schachzeitung, an Austrian chess magazine, published in German which was one of the great magazines of chess ran from 1898 through 1916 and then from 1923 through 1938. Originally founded in 1855 by Ernst Falkbeer, but was only published for nine months. In 1887 it enjoyed a rebirth, but even this publication lasted only nine months. In 1898 Hugo Fahndrich, Alexander Halprin and Georg Marco re-established the name again. As time went on Georg Marco became the sole editor and even the publisher. Marco edited the magazine until 1914 and during that period it became the best chess magazines in the world (Golombek:342). When it was renamed in 1923 it was called the Neu Wiener Schach-Zeitung and was edited by I R Wahle and A Lewitt; however, within a year it had recaptured its old title and in 1926 another great editor, Albert Becker, took over. With the German invasion of Austria, it ceased publication. An attempt to revive it after the end of World War II failed. The witty pen of Hans Kmoch gave distinction to the magazine and every now and then he would edit a faschings (carnival) number that was genuinely funny.

Condition:

Rebound, corners bumped, some age darkening to pages else a very good copy.