|
Baseball Books
9 Lots
 Lot 98. Autographed Copy of Ted Williams’ Book The Science of Hitting. Hardbound version of the 1971 oversized book, which is vg+ in a g-vg dust jacket. On the front end-page, Williams wrote, “To Todd who I think is going to make it, Good luck, Best, Ted Williams.” The signature is large, about 1 ¼” x 5”, and with “Good luck, Best,” it could be matted for display. It rates a mint to gem mint 9-10. Signed copies of this book turn up infrequently. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $652.
|
 Lot 102. Signed Copy of Umpiring from the Inside by Hall of Fame Umpire Billy Evans. Enshrined at Cooperstown for his excellence behind the plate, Evans was competent in other aspects of the game. After he gave up calling balls and strikes in the American League, he served as general manager of the Indians, farm director of the Red Sox and vice president and general manager of the Tigers. He was the first to recognize Pee Wee Reese as a future major league star. Writing this book came to him naturally enough; before becoming an umpire, he was a sportswriter in Youngstown. The book, a 1947 first edition, is vg+ to ex in a g-vg dust jacket with several small chips. Evans’ autograph, written as “Billy” Evans, is outstanding. It’s a large gem mint 10 in blue ballpoint on the front end-page. Evans’ signature is comparatively scarce, no doubt because he was elected to the HoF in 1973, 17 years after his death. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $1,095.
|
 Lot 122. Rare Book: A History of the Boston Base Ball Club 1871-1897 by George V. Tuohey. Published in 1897, this 242-page book is rare and historically important. In the first 125 pages, Tuohey provides a concise history of Boston baseball, starting with the National Association teams (1871-75) and continuing with the National League (1876-97). He covers also Boston teams in the Players League (1890) and the American Association (1891). The second half of the book contains articles on 50 players, including Harry Wright, George Wright, Sliding Billy Hamilton, King Kelly and Old Hoss Radbourne. Photos of these players are among more than 45 illustrations. The red covers with gilt lettering are vg with a stain in the upper outside corners. The book is complete, and the inside pages generally have an ex appearance with a light stain in the upper outside corners. A small number of pages have pencil notations, and one is especially interesting. On page 198, Tuohey writes, “The National Club of Washington was considered the crack club of 1888.” In pencil, “1888” is circled, and the notation reads, “Geo. Wright says 1868 is O.K. – T.S.T.” You won’t find multiple copies of this book on the Internet. In fact, as we went to press, we found only one copy – offered at more than $4,000. Outstanding reading and reference.
Winning Bid $1,183.
|
 Lot 123. Baseball Classic: 1911 First Edition of The Book of Baseball by William Patten and J. Walker McSpadden. This oversized hardback book (11” x 15 ½”) is one of the first great illustrated books on the National Pastime. It offers a history of baseball, presents illustrated stories on the game’s star players, covers the 1910 season, reports on the minor leagues and previews the 1911 season in 160 pages. The binding inside the front cover has been reinforced, and the back cover is somewhat loose. Although the front cover shows signs of aging, with light scuffs, stains and two small areas of paper loss, it displays well. The interior is complete. About a dozen pages have tape repairs; the remainder have an ex appearance.
Winning Bid $248.
|
 Lot 124. First Edition: Christy Mathewson’s Pitching in a Pinch or Baseball from the Inside. In addition to being a great pitcher, Mathewson was an erudite gentleman in a rough-and-tumble game. He put his Bucknell College education to good use by writing this book, an autobiographical account of baseball in the early 20th century. This hardcopy book is a 1912 first edition published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons. The cover is of ribbed maroon cloth with gilt lettering. All of the plates, many with Louis Van Oeyen photos, are intact. A small (3/4” x 1”) bookseller’s label is on the inside of the front cover. This is a very desirable vg-ex copy.
Winning Bid $572.
|
 Lot 125. Original, Very Scarce Hardcover Copy of A Day in the Bleachers by Arnold Hano. In this baseball classic, Hano recounts in 154 pages the opening game of the 1954 World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the New York Giants. And what a game it was! First, there was “The Catch” by Willie Mays of Vic Wertz’ 450-foot drive to center field. And then, there was the unlikely, dramatic pinch-hit game-winning home run by Dusty Rhodes. An excellent writer, Hano entertainingly captures this drama and more. The book, a 1955 first edition published by Crowell, is ex with the owner’s name on the front end-page. The price-clipped dust jacket is vg-ex.
Winning Bid $264.
|
 Lot 126. Limited Edition Reprint of Baseball in Cincinnati: A History by Harry Ellard. Originals of this 1907 book are almost impossible to find. The author provides a general history of baseball and then zeroes in on baseball in Cincinnati. In 1987, the Ohio Book Store reproduced the book, including a special leather-bound limited edition of 150. This copy is #92. The 250-page book contains many photos. The boards are covered in red leather with gold lettering and illustration. Beautiful nm copy.
Winning Bid $152.
|
 Lot 127. 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 period reference is what every annual should be. Consisting of 544-pages, it devotes a full page to 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. Ex-m copy with a red cover, and without a dust jacket. Scarce and desirable.
Winning Bid $472.
|
|
