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Between 1879 and 1895, M. A. Markham of Lakeville, New York, composed 21 volumes of illustrated problems and solutions for games of checkers.

Between 1879 and 1895, M. A. Markham of Lakeville, New York, composed at least 21 volumes of illustrated problems and solutions for games of checkers. Checkers originally had 25 volumes, of which 21 are present: volumes 1-6, 9-14, 16-19, and 21-25. Volume 1 is divided between two books, and volumes 3-4 are written in the same book. Most individual volumes contain between 100 and 200 pages of illustrated problems and solutions, which Markham collected from a variety of sources, including newspaper columns. Pictures of game boards with pieces in various positions are grouped together, and solutions frequently appear several pages later, written in the game's notation. Each volume has an index. Many volumes are subdivided into several parts, and headings are decorated with colored ink drawings of landscapes and buildings. Clippings with engraved portraits and biographical information about famous checkers players are pasted opposite most volumes' title pages.

The Practical Mathematics manuscript contains definitions and problems related to algebra, geometry, trigonometry, navigation, and surveying. Many of the problems are accompanied by illustrated figures and/or practical examples.

The Practical Mathematics manuscript contains definitions and problems related to algebra, geometry, trigonometry, navigation, and surveying. These categories are divided into specific applications; the section on algebra deals with topics such as basic algebraic statements, algebraic fractions, simple and quadratic equations, and arithmetical and geometrical progressions. Most of the problems are accompanied by illustrated figures and/or examples of concepts' practical applications. A section concerning globes pertains to both terrestrial and celestial globes, and includes a list of the signs of the zodiac, as well as descriptions of navigational methods, accompanied by a compass rose and charts, including "Mercator's Charts."

The manuscript also explains methods for determining location and time by observing celestial objects, and contains instructions for keeping ships' logs and surveying notes. A section on navigation includes a copied log from the voyage of the Pegasus from England to Barbados (January 31, 1737-March 22, 1737), as well as a map showing the coasts of France and Spain and the islands around Barbados. Some of the surveying problems are illustrated with a sailing ship, a tree, and a turret.

• Algebra
  • Simple Equations
  • Quadratic Equations
  • Arithmetic Progressions
  • Geometric Progressions
• The Use of Globes
  • Terrestrial Globe
  • Celestial Globe
• Spherical Geometry
• Spherical Trigonometry
  • [Acute] Angled
  • Right Angled
  • Oblique Angled
• "To Find the Prime or Golden Number"
• Geometry
• Trigonometry
  • Plain Trigonometry
  • Spherical Trigonometry
• Navigation
  • Latitude
  • Longitude
  • Sailing
    • Plain Sailing
    • Traverse Sailing
    • Mercator's Sailing
    • Parallel Sailing
    • Oblique Sailing
    • Plain Sailing by Arithmetic
• Observation by the Meridian Altitude or Zenith Distance of the Sun or Stars
• Rules for Keeping a Journal [Ship's Log]
• Astronomy
• Dialing
• Surveying
• Mensuration
  • Mensuration of Superficies
  • Mensuration of Solids
  • Measuring of Timber