Chess Fundamentals, José Capablanca
First edition, first printing of this renowned book on chess fundamentals by one of the greatest players of all time, written shortly after he won the World's Chess Championship. This copy belonged to International Master of chess Norman T. Whitaker, bearing his signature on the front pastedown. Aside from chess, Whitaker had an extensive criminal history, convicted of such crimes as interstate car theft, insurance fraud, extortion and blackmailing (he claimed to know the whereabouts of the kidnapped and murdered Lindbergh baby and was arrested when he tried to extort money for allegedly returning the baby) and selling morphine and other drugs via mail. A fantastic association.
New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1921. Original black cloth with lettering spine, blind stamped chess board to front cover. A good or better copy. Binding is sturdy, shelfwear and rubbing to boards with some fraying at extremities. A few minor smudges internally, else clean. Now protected in a removable archival sleeve.