[VICTORIAN] [JOURNALS] [CHESS] THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON MAGAZINE: A MONTHLY MAGAZINE. 4 VOLUMES BOUND IN TWO

London: Piper, Stephenson, and Spence, 1856. Half Leather. Very Good binding. Two small quarto volumes (10” x 7 1/2”), in black half calf over marbled board; raised bands with decorations and titling in gilt; the first four volumes of The Illustrated London Magazine, each volume consisting of 6 issues, for one half a year--July 1853-December 1853 (282 pages); January 1854-June 1854 (264 pages); July 1854-December 1854 (260 pages); Janaury 1855-June 1855 9272 pages).~~The first 24 issues of the relatively short-lived Illustrated London Magazine. “Illustrated” is certainly the case, as in-text steel engravings are numerous. The articles range from seances to hunting to travel to a visit to Newgate Prison. Of particular interest are the chess columns and diagrams: “”For the sake of those readers who are chess players we have engaged for the present and subsequent numbers of the Illustrated London Magazine, the valuable services of Mr. Williams, the celebrated chess player. In each month he will supply the latest games of any interest, played by the best players.”. Very Good binding.