Requisite to every worthy baseball library is a copy of Al Spalding’s America’s National Game. Here available is a first edition of the famous book published in 1911. While this example remains in commendable condition its most notable feature is an engraved insert page identifying its provenance as follows “Souvenir copy of the History of Baseball by A.G. Spalding Presented to Fred C. Clarke In memory of the author who was one of the organizers of the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs and founder of the firm bearing his name. Dinner to celebrate the Fortieth Anniversary of the National League February ninth nineteen sixteen Waldorf Astoria Hotel. New York City.” At the time Fred Clarke received this book he was less than one year removed from his twenty-one year Hall of Fame career as a player/manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

We note that the cover has partially separated from the bound interior pages at the spine. All but the first few pages remain firmly bound together. The gold gilt front cover graphics have been splendidly preserved.