Albert Belasco

[Richard Pask]

No doubt like countless others, my introduction to the literature of the game was Belasco's guide. First printed in 1888, as recently as 1993 Foulsham were turning out an updated edition. Indeed, this gave the distinct impression that Albert was still hale and hearty! When I pointed out to the publishers that this would make him around 130 years of age, and surely a cause for celebration, they conceded that he wasn't exactly alive. On the subject of which, despite the limiations of the book, Albert undoubtedly did more than his bit for the game, and I'd like to find out when he was born and when he died. I have a pretty healthy library on the game, but have never been able to determine this information. Even better, are there any photographs of him extant?

[liam stephens]

Could this be he ? :

NAME/ AGE / WORK / ADDRESS / YEAR
Belasco Albert/ 38/ Stationer/ Doddington Grv Kennington/ 1899

That would make him 27 in 1888.

See:

http://www.blacksheepindex.co.uk/BSI-BekBen.pdf

[Richard Pask]

Judging from the preface to the 1st Edn of his joint chess & draughts book, dear Albert was definitely still around during/after the 1st WW. (At least)

[william]

Hello Richard

Well while starting out "back then" I did not get the chance to read Belasco's.

In Glasgow however, Brian Kilgour used to feed his "youth team" with the CLAPHAM COMMON. I will always remember him swearing by it , and enquiring (annoyingly for us) every week if we had "had our noses" in the clapham common!!!

I do not recall who wrote or compiled this, but I do remember that it was filled with a lot of basic shots and blocks etc. it was an amazing book that with hindsight i would say attracted beginners to the game.

Did you ever come across this Richard?

Best regards

William

[Richard Pask]

Dear Willam,

Yes the Clapham Common Guide was/is an excellent book for beginners which I heartily recommend. Its author spent a lifetime coaching beginners on the outdoor boards of Clapham Common, and contributed liberally to the game's literature with his 'Student's Corner' etc.. A very fine book and an extremely selfless individual .

By contrast, the Belasco 'guide' is awful really; its interest resting on 2 points:

Its truly remarkable, and strange not to say bizarre, longevity.
A section entitled 'Who's who in the draughts world,' which certainly caught my eye when I was starting out. (This was dropped from the 1993 edition as it was so patently out of date.)

PS I've contacted Foulsham, the publishers, to see if they can shed any light on Albert. It may be that he is still roaming the land, aged approx 150, oblivious to the 3-move restriction and its new found delights!

[Richard Pask]

A result!

Born 1860, died 1924.

Many thanks to John Saunders, Editor of Chess Magazine.

[liam stephens]

That fits in very closely with my candidate mentioned above.
(within 12 months - all depends on what month he was born in)

[Bill Salot]

I am just curious. Did Belasco's "Who's who" include George H. Slocum?
Bill Salot

[Richard Pask]

Yes.

'G. H. Slocum, born in Whiteside County, Illinois, USA, 1855; he died about the year 1915. He was known as the mosy original of America's, and perhaps the world's, problem kings.'

All the best, Richard

PS My letter on this issue may be going in the November Issue of Chess magazine.

[Bill Salot]

Richard,
In what edition of "Belasco's Guide" did Slocum's obituary appear? It had to have been later than Slocum's death (1914), but before Belasco's death (1924), correct?
Bill Salot

[Richard Pask]

There are a number of players listed who reigned after Belasco's death in 1924. These minor changes were made by an unknown hand, but very possibly by his son, also known as Albert (died in 1962).

For example, the name/address of the EDA Secretary was updated a few times: not too onerous for the 'editor'.