America's National Game. Historic Facts Concerning The Beginning, Evolution, Development And Popularity Of Base Ball Spalding, Albert G. Sport

With personal reminiscences of its vicissitudes, its victories and its votaries. Cartoons by Homer C. Davenport. Pp. xx+542, 2 frontispieces (one with tissue guard), plus 7 folding plates, numerous full page illustrations; cr. 8vo; dark blue pictorial ribbed cloth, lettered and decorated in gilt, edges of boards lightly rubbed, the lower board a trifle scuffed, spine slightly dulled; book label of David Levine, Sydney, on upper pastedown and signs of removal of bookplate from same, hinges starting, a little light foxing and occasional slight soiling; American Sports Publishing Company, New York, 1911. First edition. Smith 691. *Albert Goodwill Spalding (1850-1915) was a leading player, manager and executive in the early years of professional baseball. he was the premier pitcher of the 1870s, and the first player to wear a glove on the field. Spalding was president and part-owner of the Chicago White Stockings from 1882 to 1891, helped organize the National League, and wrote the first set of official baseball rules. In 1939, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.