Carrera, Pietro. The game of chess. Militello,... Lot 18

Carrera, Pietro. The game of chess. Militello, Giovanni de' Rossi, 1617. In 4° (187 x 142 mm);556 [but 552], [88] pages.Xylographic chessboard on title page, coat of arms of dedicatee Francesco Branciforte on verso, figure of a chessboard on page 531 (woodworm hole in white margin of middle and endpapers restored, browning and flourishes). Modern vellum binding with manuscript title on smooth spine. Possession note. Partially postillated specimen of this first edition. Publication rightly considered one of the rarest and most important books on chess. Volume "divided into eight books, in which are taught the precepts, the exits, and the postulated traits of the game, and the true origin of it is discussed."