Winter 2014 Auction Closing Feb 7
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/8/2014
Offered is a first edition of America's National Game by Albert G. Spalding, inscribed by Spalding on the interior. Albert Spalding was one of the most influential figures in baseball history, having been a former star pitcher, team owner, and sporting-goods entrepreneur, and is similar in stature to Harry Wright. Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939. Published by American Sports Publishing Company, New York, 1911, this book is one of the earliest books to describe the history of the grand old game. From the steps first instituted in the early-to-mid 1800s, to the story of the 1840s New York Knickerbockers to the "modern" era of the 1910s, Spalding gave the reader an unbridled history of the game which was beginning to capture the country's imagination, a game soon deemed "the National Pastime." Spalding has inscribed the book in black fountain pen on the front flyleaf, "To George Boch with my compliments and Christmas Greetings A. G. Spalding Point Loma Calif Dec. 25. 1911." Obviously, Spalding was in a festive and gift giving mood. All of the text and signature are boldly scripted in black fountain pen, grading a ("9"). This book is important as it details the 1907 Mills Report, a vague review of the origins of baseball, giving credit to Abner Doubleday for having invented the game in 1839. The attractive blue hardcover book measures 5.5 x 8 inches, and is complete with all of its fold out illustrations. (There are some great images of the Polo Grounds and Shibe Park, the two teams which played in the 1910 World Series). The book exhibits a slight looseness to the spine, a very minor light water stain along the bottom of the spine, which lightly affects a number of the interior pages. However, the signature flyleaf page and inscription are unaffected and the book is in overall Very Good condition. In our research, we uncovered this book was once part of the famed Barry Halper collection. This book is one of the most important tomes of the early days of baseball, and is a must for any vintage baseball book collection, especially one which has been duly inscribed and signed by the author. Full LOA from PSA/DNA, cert number S07111.