America's National Game: Historical Facts Concerning the Beginning, Evolution, Development and Popularity of Base Ball with Personal Reminiscences of its Vicissitudes, its Victories and its Votaries
New York: American Sports Publishing Company, 1911.
First edition. xix, [1], 542 pp. Profusely illustrated with full-page and foldout photo illustrations, including sepia-tone portrait of the author protected by tissue guard. Bound in publisher's cobalt cloth with pictorial stamping in gilt. Near Fine with light soiling and light wear to cloth, and offsetting to front endsheet. Contents lightly toned. A beautiful copy with brilliant cloth.
One the earliest books devoted to America's national pastime. The author played for the Boston Red Stockings and Chicago White Stockings in the 1870s before transitioning into a career in baseball management. Spalding helped to organize the National League and co-founded the Spalding sporting goods company.
Price: $2,200