Lot 42. 1889 "Athletic Sports in America, England and Australia" Including Baseball. Focusing on Al Spalding’s 1889 baseball goodwill tour of four continents, this 711-page book contains more than 500 pages of baseball history, including 300 pages by Chicago journalist Henry Clay Palmer on the tour itself. It also has a three-page preface by Henry Chadwick, generally regarded as the “father of baseball.” Extremely interesting reading, but also valuable for its hundreds of illustrations. It contains a dozen full-page b&w photos of Baltimore, Brooklyn, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Louisville, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Saint Louis and Washington Ball Clubs. The frontispiece is an amazing full-page chromolithograph of the Chicago and All American Team Exhibition Game at the Crystal Palace Grounds in London. The three other show-stopping “illuminated” (color) plates also are present. Published by Hubbard Brothers, 1889, the book has been rebound with red gilt-impressed boards. Ex-m. The interior is complete and problem-free, at least ex-m. This is a very desirable copy of a scarce book.
Winning Bid $291
Lot 43. Rare Copy of "A Century of Baseball" Marking Baseball’s Centennial at Cooperstown. Baseball celebrated its 100th anniversary with a four-month series of events at Cooperstown in 1939. These events, including a baseball game between the (Honus) Wagners and the (Eddie) Collins, are captured in the 131-page hardback "A Century of Baseball" “compiled by the staff of the Freeman’s Journal Co.” and “published with the cooperation and support of William G. Bamham, President-Treasurer of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues.” The book is divided into three sections. The first provides a brief history of the game. The second, and most extensive, covers the various events, including games featuring current and retired players, a minor league game, a tribute to Connie Mack, Alexander Cartwright Day and more. The final section is a collection of speeches, including those given at a tribute to Christy Mathewson and the dedication of the Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame. The pages devoted to the dedication capture the words of Wagner, Speaker, Mack, Lajoie, Young, Johnson, Sisler, Collins, Alexander, Ruth and Judge Landis. This is a wonderful book that turns up infrequently and is filled with excellent reading and research material. This copy of the 1940 book is nm with one bookplate partly loose and very slightly out of position, apparently as produced. The cover is vg, has some edge chips and displays very nicely.
Winning Bid $198
Lot 44. 1933 Hardbound "Who’s Who in Major League Baseball." Published by Grover C. Buxton of Chicago and compiled by sportswriter Harold (Speed) Johnson, this scarce reference is what every annual should be. Consisting of 544-pages, it devotes a full page to each of several hundred baseball players. Each player is represented by a large photo. In addition, the publication provides the player’s full record and a biographical sketch with career highlights. The “Who’s Who” starts with Earl “Sparky” Adams and ends with Tom Zachary. Judge Landis, managers, owners and other personalities also are profiled. Luke Sewell autographed his photo; authenticated by Kevin Keating. Red covers with gilt impressions are vg-ex with several small stains. The contents are ex. No dust jacket. Scarce and desirable.
Winning Bid $264
