I found the following entry in an old Austrian newspaper. Not that I believe
everything I read, but I wonder if there is a story in it somewhere. Any guesses
as to who/what it might be referring to? I don't know the professions of all the
major chessplayers at the time, which might be useful in ferreting out the truth
behind this. Anyone know how much 3500 Thaler would translate to in, say, pounds?

Humorist, February 16, 1842: Vor einiger Zeit spielten zwei Englander eine Partie
Schach um 3500 Thaler. Der Mann, der sie gewann, war - ein Schuhwichs-Fabrikant.

Jerry Spinrad