Books On checkers

[tommyc]

Having compared the sound info PAL" has received id say "B" is the oldest, apart from the sixpence spellling issue the thicker ink lines of B indicate to me the original,and id say the much neater ink lines of A came later.The numbers 5 or 9 are relatively similar i dont get any clue from that.Perhaps it could be compared to a print of similar year and that may throw some light on it.

[Palomino]

A friend put me onto the following information which now leads me to lean towards believing that the "B" Edition is the original.

( "A" Edition )
Author:
Payne, William, teacher of mathematics.

Title:
An Introduction to the Game of Draughts. Containing fifty select games, together with many critical situations for drawn games, ... By William Payne, teacher of the mathematics.

Publisher/year London :
Printed for the author at the Golden Ball in Bedford-sttreet [sic], Covent-Garden: and sold by T. Payne; J. Marks; J. Jackson; W. Shropshire; W. Owen; J. Payne; and J. Brotherton, 1756.

General note:
In this edition "Together with" coming after "fifty select games," are all in capital letters, and the epithet after "Payne" does have "the" between "of" and "mathematics".

Uncontrolled note:
WARNING: In this edition some gatherings are of wove paper, implying a date after 1800 (1805?). Type also suspect as after 1800. A. T. Hazen in his Samuel Johnsons prefaces and dedications, pp. 149-150, concurs.. ESTC/NA asked (Sept. 98) to delete this record after confirming wove paper in its copies, as record would then be out of scope.

Subject:
Checkers.

Copies:
Brit.Isles:
Oxford University Bodleian Library (includes The Vicar’s Library, ST. Mary’s Church, Marlborough)

N.America:
Cornell University > Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery > Library Company of Philadelphia > Providence Public Library > Providence Public Library > Providence Public Library > United States, Library of Congress > University of Kansas, Spencer
Research > Yale University, Sterling Memorial ...

Other:
State Library of Victoria

.................................................................

( "B" Edition )
Author:
Payne, William, teacher of mathematics.

Title:
An Introduction to the Game of Draughts. Containing Fifty Select Games, Together with Many critical Situations for Drawn Games, Won Games, and Fine Strokes. The Whole designed for the Instruction of Young Players, in this innocent and delightful Amusement. By William Payne, teacher of mathematics.

Publisher/year London :
Printed for the author at the Golden Ball in Bedford-Street, Covent-Garden: and sold by T. Payne, at the Meuse Gate in Castle-Street; J. Marks, in St Martin’s-Lane; J. Jackson, in St James’s-Street; W. Shropshire, in New Bond-Street; W. Owen, in Fleet-Street; J. Payne, in Pater-Noster-Row; and J. Brotherton, in Cornhill, MDCCLVI. [1756]

General note:
In this edition "Together with" coming after "fifty select games," only has one capital letter, and the epithet after "Payne" does not have "the" between "of" and "mathematics". Price from imprint: price Two Shillings and Sixpence.

Surrogates:
Microfilm. Woodbridge, CT Research Publications, Inc., 1986. 1 reel ; 35mm. (The Eighteenth Century ; reel 7395, no.07 ) Electronic reproduction. Farmington Hills, Mich. : Thomson Gale, 2003. (Eighteenth century collections online). Available via the World Wide Web. Access limited by licensing agreements.

Subject:
Checkers.

Copies:
Brit.Isles:
British Library > Cambridge University Queens’ College

N.America:
Boston Public, Main > Cleveland Public Library > Cornell University > McMaster University > McMaster University > New York Public Library > Newberry > Princeton University > Providence Public Library > United States, Library of Congress > University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Special Collections > University of Illinois > University of North Carolina...


.................................................................

( "A" Edition )
http://catalogue.bl.uk/F/FD3L4S6QP3DTKU ... format=999

( "B" Edition )
http://catalogue.bl.uk/F/FD3L4S6QP3DTKU ... format=999

[Palomino]

Should you want to purchase a copy of "An Introduction to the Game of Draughts" for your library.
Click on the following links:

("B" edition)
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDet ... D0%26y%3D0
Be sure to include $3.50 for shipping.

(Copy of "B" Edition)
http://www.alibris.com/search/books/isbn/9781170359488

[Danny_Alvarez]

Palomino..... I have no stand on this issue whatsoever .... as to which is original.
but it should be noted that the link you posted for the B edition are re-prints. so that isnt any conclusive proof.

BTW i havent bought the A edition because they are ripping me off on postage and want to charge me $15.50 hahaha

Cheers,
D.Alvarez

[jaguar72]

FYI, there is a decent copy of Willie Ryan's The Modern Encyclopedia of Checkers listed on eBay with a starting bid of $9.95 (and a Buy-it-Now of $34.95, which is pretty dear...); however, the book would be a bargain if you could snag it for ten or fifteen bucks.

On eBay, search "checkers books" to find it (and others).

The MEC is Ryan's in-depth treatment of the openings (not all of them, however) written in the usual inimitable Willie Ryan style with humor, incisive comments, and lots of long analyses. This book would be a good addition to any player's checker library just for the entertainment value!

In addition to being a great player, Willie Ryan pulled no punches in his comments on anything.

They don't make 'em that way any more... .

V/R,

Gary Jenkins/jaguar72

[Palomino]

Danny wrote:

it should be noted that the link you posted for the B edition are re-prints. so that isnt any conclusive proof.

Hi Danny,
This book is a scan of an original "B" Edition fron the British Library also the same scan accessed through the Australian State Library.

Was kind of a joke an original for $3,500 or a copy of the original for $12.42

...Pal

BTW:

There are two "original" 1756 versions of the "A" Edition

[Jay H]

Hey Palomino,

Here is something which will help with the identifying process........

http://www.online-museum-of-checkers-hi ... m/id2.html

This might be the final word on the subject.... to Ken Lovell

Regards,

And, since it appears that the ACForum moderators have relaxed the filters a little bit,
I am,
Most respectfully,

Jay Hinnershitz

[Danny_Alvarez]

ROFL I am glad that you can say your surname in its entirety
I think i'll still call you Mister H .... only out of laziness and tradition hahaha

I believe a man should be able to write his own surname without fear of offending anyone.

Im really glad for you Jay

cheers

Danny

[Jay H]

Edited on behalf of Jay Hinnershitz, Jr.

[kilroyfx]

I read a checkers book that was a "Mensa" book on checkers....and I have to say a couple of the patterns or lessons were flat out wrong or
not solvable...I coded a lot of the board setups into my computer and the results were not what was predicted (only on a couple setups).

I was surprised that it was a "Mensa" checkers book, and it had quite a few errors in it.

"PLAY WINNING CHECKERS" by Robert Pike

ERROR FOUND !! See Diagram 64 in his book on page 86 !! The solution does not work.

[steve]

Kilroyfx-not haveing the 'mensa'book on checkers i am unable to verify it's accuracy.however in the past 60 years i have came across many errors in checker books that turn out to be mine not the author.

[jaguar72]

I read a checkers book that was a "Mensa" book on checkers....and I have to say a couple of the patterns or lessons were flat out wrong or
not solvable...I coded a lot of the board setups into my computer and the results were not what was predicted (only on a couple setups).

I was surprised that it was a "Mensa" checkers book, and it had quite a few errors in it.

Was the referenced book Play Winning Checkers by Robert Pike, Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., 1999? My copy says "Official American Mensa Game Book" on the cover and title page and has the Mensa logo in both places.

If this is the correct book, perhaps you could do the ACF membership (and the book's author, of course) a service by pointing out the errors you found. It would be especially helpful to know which "patterns or lessons" were "flat out wrong".

Thanks!

V/R,

Gary Jenkins/jaguar72

[Danny_Alvarez]

There are always corrections or almost always... but i would be surprised if there are any major mistakes in that specific book by Mr Pike.

Regards.
Danny Alvarez

[jaguar72]

There are always corrections or almost always... but i would be surprised if there are any major mistakes in that specific book by Mr Pike.

Regards.
Danny Alvarez

Yeah, I agree with you, Danny, that's why I asked for clarification and specifics. I've used that book (Play Winning Checkers) myself and recommended it to beginning players both young and old many times.

Robert Pike has a nice problem book as well: 101 Checker Puzzles, (Sterling, 2000) which also carries the Mensa endorsement and seal. Maybe that is the one kilroyfx was talking about. I've also recommended that one to people.

Anyhow, I'd really like to know where the errors are, if any, in either case. I'm sure Mr. Pike would as well.

V/R,

Gary Jenkins/jaguar72

[kilroyfx]

ERROR FOUND !! See Diagram 64 in his book on page 86 !!

It was a book on loan from the Library, it was Robert Pike I believe....I was programming-in the board setups and then
the solution of moves. In 2 situations, the computer found a different way around Mr. Pikes outcome....In 1 situation
I think he had reversed the colors, which created some confusion....or the opposite color would have to go first.

I swear, in 1 of the puzzles he had accidentally tried to move a checker in the wrong direction !! I know this sounds crazy, so
I would like to get that book back...I remember reading it over and over.....

But, all this research I was doing was very helpful in writing a "trainer" for checker beginners...

ERROR FOUND !! See Diagram 64 in his book on page 86 !!