Encyclopedia Dubuque
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JOHN CALDWELL-IRVING WINDT LIBRARY OF CHECKERS
JOHN CALDWELL-IRVING WINDT LIBRARY OF CHECKERS. The library is a unique research and reference library considered to be of unequalled depth in the field of checkers. The library was maintained in Dubuque by Don DEWEBER who married, taught high school biology and operated a pet store in Dubuque. He bought his first checkers book in 1978 and became fascinated by the game he played for recreation. He established Check Book World to buy and sell checker books and related artifacts and became considered the expert by those interested in the same field. (1)
In 1980 Deweber became the curator of the collections of John Caldwell of Texas and Irving Windt of Florida. The permanent research library grew with donations from six additional estate libraries and thousands of additional volumes added through donations of books and money. The oldest volume dates from 1650. Several volumes are considered priceless. The collection, held by a private Dubuque non-profit corporation, will eventually be housed at LORAS COLLEGE. (2) The John Caldwell-Irving Windt Library of Checkers was formally established in 1993. (3)
In 1989 Deweber had written The John Caldwell Directory of Classical Checker Works and Miscellany." Although only in manuscript form, it was considered the most complete chronological description of checker book works in existence. (4) In 1995 he was hoping to be able to purchase a computer to catalog the collection. Anyone who contributed $25 or more would receive a print of Norman Rockwell "Last Move" which depicts a checkers game. (5)
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Source:
1. Nevans-Pederson, Mary, "Dubuquer's Checkers Collection Fit for a King," Telegraph Herald, May 15, 2000, p. 3
2. Pritchard, Ken, "Checker Bibliomaniac," Telegraph Herald, August 28, 1989, p. 14
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Gilligan, Amy, "Biggest, Maybe, But Caretaker Won't King His Collection," Telegraph Herald, February 19, 1995, p. 13