Fine Books and Manuscripts, Including Selections from the Collection of Barbara and Ira Lipman

Fine Books and Manuscripts, Including Selections from the Collection of Barbara and Ira Lipman

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 143. Spalding, Albert G. | Presentation copy of Albert Spalding's pioneering history of baseball, inscribed and signed by the author.

The Passion of American Collectors: Property of Barbara and Ira Lipman

Spalding, Albert G. | Presentation copy of Albert Spalding's pioneering history of baseball, inscribed and signed by the author

Lot Closed

December 16, 09:23 PM GMT

Estimate

1,500 - 2,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

The Passion of American Collectors: Property of Barbara and Ira Lipman


Spalding, Albert G. 

America's National Game: Historic 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


Thick 8vo (195 x 132 mm). Additional frontispiece portrait of Spalding, numerous full-page photographic illustrations, 2 folding photographic plates, half-title; portrait of Spalding with light diagonal crease. Publisher's blue cloth, front cover and spine gilt-lettered, front cover with gilt vignette of Uncle Sam clutching a baseball bat; spine a little darkened, tiny loss to upper fore-edge corner of front free endpaper, inner hinges cracked but secure, slightest rubbing to corners and head and foot of spine, withal a bright, near-fine copy. Half blue morocco slipcase.


First edition; presentation copy inscribed and signed by the author on the front free endpaper: "To J. F. Gray with my compliments A. G. Spalding New York, Oct. 26. 1911."


Albert Spalding was a highly successful pitcher and batsman during the early years of professional baseball (he popularized the use of a glove for fielders) and the co-founder of the eponymous sporting goods concern. His America's National Game, was the first scholarly history of baseball.