PAUL MORPHY.

Kumara Times, Issue 3106, 16 October 1886, Page 3

PAUL MORPHY.

SALE OF THE TROPHIES OF THE CELEBRATED CHESSPLAYER. At New Orleans lately the estate of the late Paul Morphy, the celebrated chessplayer, was sold by public auction to close up the succession. It embraced pieces of real estate and some personal property, notably a number of trophies and testimonials to his great prowess in chess. Among ihetn were a crown of silver designed in the foliage of the laurel, typical of victory, presented to Morphy in 1859 by the Union Chess Club of New York, and a solid silver service, consisting of a pitcher, four goblets, and a solver, won by Morphy in the International Chess Tonrney which took place in New York in 1857. On the salver is an engraving representing Morphy in the act of winning the decisive game of the tourney from Paulsen. Each piece bears the monogram " P.M." The centre of attraction was the rich and elaborate chessboard of alternate squares of pearl and ebony, and elegantly wrought men of solid go'd and silver. The designs of these pieces are intended to express the opposing forces of civilisation and barbarism. The gold nic-n represent civil:jsation and the silver men barbaiism, and the hand of the artnt wrough 1 , each piece to represent, some phrase and characteristic of the age wiurlrpved. This chessboard and chessmen were presented to Morphy at New York lifter his return from his triumphanttour through Europe. This work was was done by Tiffany, the chessmen costing .£3OO and the "board £ 10. The pies'ntation wis made by the Hm. John Van Buten. On" the same occasion Morphy was also presented i •*!']• a fin" nm,-.],_ rV ,1 J chess figures in i,hi C p 0 f the llomw.i i numbers to marl-, the hours. Wheu

Morphy felt the pUch of poverty he sent the watch to Paris to be pawned. It has never been redeemed. The sale, which was held at the Arcade Exchange, attracted much attention. The chessmen were v sold. fiist, the opening bid being £3OO, which was quickly advanced to £220, then to £240, and on up to £3OO, where the bidding halted for a moment. This was advanced to £3lO, and, not being increased, the pet was knocked down to Mr Walter Denegre, who, it is said, was acting for the New York and Brooklyn Chess Club. The silver laurel crown began at £2O, and it advanced quickly to £45. Mr Samory, a retired merchant, added £5 more and secured the crown for £SO. The sale of the silver service was opened with a £SO bid, and went up to £BO, and was also knocked down to Mr Samory.