Lot # 935: Circa 1911 "America's National Game" by A. G. Spalding Presentation Edition - Given to 19th Century Baseball Player Fred Woodcock

Rare presentation edition of America's National Game by A. G. Spalding. Originally published by American Sports Publishing Company, New York, 1911. The offered example features the rarer "Base Ball" cover binding variant as well as trademark inscriptions to the recipient on the interior. This particular example was presented to Fred Woodcock, who appeared in a handful of games for the 1892 Pittsburgh Pirates before embarking on a decades-long business career in Boston. At the bottom of the presentation page is a notation about a 1916 dinner commemorating the 40th anniversary of the National League, suggesting these special editions were given to dignitaries gathered at this event. This profusely illustrated book is considered one of the great classics of baseball literature because it was the most ambitious history of the game ever published up to that time and, most important, it incorporates the findings of the Mills Report of 1907. That report credited Abner Doubleday (albeit, most scholars today agree, erroneously) with having invented the game of baseball in 1839. With the publication of this book, that myth became firmly entrenched within the collective consciousness of American culture and persists to this day, despite its refutation in more modern times by numerous historians. A. G. Spalding was perhaps the most influential figure in baseball history, having been a former star pitcher, team owner, and sporting-goods magnate. He passed away in 1915 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1939. The 542-page hardcover book (5.5 x 8 inches) is complete with all of its fold-out illustrations. The book displays light wear to the dark blue boards as well as two small pencil notations present on the interior front page. In Excellent condition overall.