You might even consider asking Google to help if you lack the time/energy. Inquire with a cooperating library, or see this:

https://books.google.com/intl/en_au...

I'll be using a high def camera. My first task will be to look for anything with an Edinburgh mention as we re putting together a full history.

Yes Staunton help keep the club going and interest revived. We have all copies of these old magazine from that era plus dozens in foreign languages.

Re:simul fees.

Sure, agreed, but that's why I suggested teaming up with the pros - i.e. a University library or Google directly.

They use camera scanners (not flatbed), to accommodate these delicate, heavy, bulky old notebooks.

CPL digitized Miron Hazeltine's scrapbooks, and the Historical Society of Penn used to have Walter Penn Shipley's scrapbooks online. It can be done.

I am not lugging huge books about at my age.

I'll enjoy going through them and weeding out what I want. If any genuine researcher wants to have a look then give a few days notice and we will accommodate them. Also they will not be allowed to leave the club.

I started going though the collection today.

Have discovered along with the four monster books there are 5 smaller books. Sadly not all the clippings are dated but you can get an idea of when by bracketing between given dates and what is in the clipping.

Today was a trial run, already got a loads of goodies (blog fodder) a couple of games I submitted here (screwed one up but corrected it.)

Trouble with <CG> is too many old geezers hanging about...

<I am not lugging huge books about at my age.>

Either falling apart physically....

<<<SALLY>> and <<Z FREE>> and <<SCAZZ>> need to get a room lol lol>

... or mentally!

I appreciate that photo, nice stuff.

I am serious about trying to enlist a local university to try to get Google books involved. I know GB's cut back, but they did travel to the library sites for scanning - and why not to CC's?

But I understand it would be above and beyond the call of duty to follow up on this - regrettably. So let's move on

(But do keep us informed of your future adventures diving into the past)

I was thinking of doing a quick run through to see if I could spot doublers or something like that.

But this is more fun. I do not know what I'm going to see every time I turn a page.

Priority is anything Edinburgh related for the club site but if I see anything that I know will be of interest I'll post.

It appears they were just cuttings of anything chess from The Scotsman, Glasgow Herald, Falkirk Herald etc...A lot of it will be online, I find it easier to look at them this way, often the scans online are squiffy and blotchy.

The first book had loads of loose cut outs at the back, different diagrams, different publications, no dates. (some of the stories on the back of these cutting looked interesting. The Victorians had a wonderful way with words.) but already I've unearthed some good stuff the club site can use and other things like 'Zukertort and his dream.'

There is an undated covering note from George Page in one book but the cuttings that do have a date are a long time before he was born.

I'm thinking someone cut them out and they lay loose in the club for years. George pasted them into that one book, ran out space and put the remaining pile of loose cuttings in the back of the book. (he probably meant to do it later but went off to fight in WWII got captured, spent five years in a POW camp and forgot all about them...or something romantic like that.)

A lot stuff about Daniel Yarnton Mills who was an Edinburgh club member. I'll see if I can add to the games tally on here.

The larger books, (I've peeked, lifting one nearly threw my spine out of whack) look different and resemble some order.

The Edinburgh Chess Club played a match v The Phoenix Chess Club (Dublin) in 1894 but fear if I submit the game it will end up as the City of Edinburg v City of Dublin which would be wrong or at the very mention of the word 'Phoenix' it may end up here Sun Phoenix (Computer)

Then for sure, I'd agree 100% with you.

All we need now to really smarten up the place is the club crest. (I'll see if can get a good copy of the original)

Remember if ever in Edinburgh then all chess players are welcome, pop in, say hello, sign the visitors book. In the same book as Blackburne, Capablanca, Alekhine, Karpov, Topalov....(me!).

Then play a game - following the clubs rules.

I see you looked quite different at one time, wearing a three piece suit (on p25), of all things!

There is a wee typo on page 96. Nancy Elder, the year should 1948, not 1848. I'm seeing if the online version can be altered.

Topalov, brilliant guy. Someone pointed me out to him after the simul and he threaded his way through the crowd towards me.

I thought, 'Oh God what have I written about him in the past?' It turns out nothing. He was given a copy of 'Rampant Chess' and wanted me to sign it. (which was a mistake, unsigned copies fetch more on E-Bay)

I did and he said; 'Say something...Add something' and the often cited wonderful Chandler imagination melted on the spot as I added 'Well Done!'

What a gimp. I had a total black out.

On the the day of the three piece suit picture my mum was in the club on an unexpected visit. (I lived at the Edinburgh Chess Club at the time).

She stood behind the camera and motioned to me to put my left hand over the back of my right hand because I have a tattoo which she hated on the back of my right hand.

It is the head of the Kestral Lager https://www.kestrelbeer.com/wp-cont... a bottle of which I carried into the tattoo parlour (drunk). In them days only prisoners got themselves tattooed above the collar and below the sleeve.

So not only a gimp but also an idiot.

What badge?

The one on this page is over 100 years old. It's been coloured in. I asked for this one https://www.redhotpawn.com/imgu/blo...

The one on the front of the souvenir booklet was voted as the official logo for the centenary. I would have preferred the original badge.

https://www.thomsonroddick.com/cata...

Use the right arrow to scroll from Lot 201-219.

Lots 203 and 219

https://content.easyliveauction.com...