Richter's History and Records of Base Ball: The American Nation's Chief Sport by RICHTER, Francis C - 1914

Philadelphia: Francis C. Richter, 1914. Hardcover. Near Fine. First edition. 306 pp. Copiously illustrated from photographs. Slight soiling on the boards and a little edgewear, still a near fine copy of a very important baseball book. As a writer and associate of baseball officials, Richter was an influential force in the early development of the game. He was the first to set up a Sports Department for any newspaper, beginning with the *Philadelphia Day* in 1872, then the *Sunday World* and *Public Ledger*. Richter helped form the original American Association in 1882 and to place the Philadelphia Athletics in it. The next year he helped organize the Phillies in the National League. In 1883, he started *Sporting Life*, a weekly newspaper, which became a great force in baseball. In 1907, he was offered the presidency of the National League, but turned it down. He edited the *Reach Guide* from its inception in 1901 to the 1926 volume, which he completed days before his death. A superior copy of a book usually found well-worn.