Schachspielfunft , Portius, Leipzig 1895, Verlag von J.J.Weber, 239+viii p., 11,5x17 cm, 260 grams, condition:fair, some pencil inscriptions on pages 4 and 108-123, hardback, binding is intact (see photos).

Portius Karl J. Simon P., chess writer, was born on May 3, 1797. He spent most of his life in Leipzig as a primary school teacher, and also as a writer. It is safe to say, however, that his name has achieved world fame in the chess world. The chess column of the “Illustrirten Zeitung” (founded in 1843 by J. J. Weber which was the first of its kind), served as a model and example for other papers and, imitated in the same style, has remained a permanent enrichment of generous journalism, was launched in No. 7 of August 12, 1843, and remained a loyal editor until his death in Leipzig on May 4, 1862. Portius is also the author of the famous “Catechism of the Art of Chess”, which first appeared in 1854 with 176 pages and woodcuts in the varied series “Weber’s Illustrated Catechisms”, and which grew to 239 pages in the 11th edition (1895), which was enhanced by diagrams. This Portius catechism was received like no other chess textbook and educated entire generations of chess players.