America's National Game: Historic Facts Concerning the Beginning, Evolution, Development and Popularity of Base Ball (The Uncommon "SOUVENIR COPY") by A.G. Spalding - 1911

New York: American Sports Publishing Company, 1911. Cloth. Near Fine. Homer C. Davenport. The 1911 1st edition of this landmark in early baseball history, written by one of the great original figures of the game, A.G. Spalding, who was not only a leading pitcher, manager and then executive during the game's early years but would go on to co-found and build the legendary Spalding Sporting Goods Company. This is an example of the scarce "SOUVENIR COPY", essentially a PRESENTATION COPY which includes an inserted leaf just before Spalding's portrait, gifting this copy "of the History of Base Ball by A.G. Spalding to Philip Walsh in memory of the author who was one of the organizers of the National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs and founder of the firm bearing his name." This copy was given to Walsh at a dinner celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the National League, February 9, 1916, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City and honoring Spalding himself, who had pased away 4 months earlier. A solid, very presentable copy to boot. Tight and VG+ to Near Fine in its navy-blue cloth, with bright gilt-titling and design along the front panel and spine. Light, minor spotting along the spine, otherwise very clean. Thick octavo, generous black-and-white photos thruout and cartoons by Homer C. Davenport. A nice piece of Americana and an important variant edition, recorded in Howes (S-804).