The National Game.

SPINK, Alfred H.

$9,800.00

Item Number: 147838

St. Louis, MO: National Game Publishing Co, 1910.

Rare first edition of this cornerstone of baseball history. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine, gilt embossed title to the front panel, triple ruled and detailing stamped in blind on front and rear panels, illustrated with full page portraits of legendary players Cobb, Wagner, Mc Graw, King Kelly, Lajoie, Evers, Speaker, Cy Young, John Ward and Jennings. In near fine condition. First editions are rare, with only three appearing at auction over the last 100 years.

Alfred Spink (1860–1937) was a notable American sportswriter and journalist, best known for his contributions to the development of baseball journalism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As the founder of The Sporting News in 1886, Spink played a pivotal role in shaping baseball’s media coverage, making the publication one of the most influential sports outlets of its time. His deep knowledge of the game and its history, combined with a keen journalistic eye, helped establish him as a key figure in documenting baseball's evolution. Spink’s work went beyond mere reporting; he was a passionate advocate for the preservation of the sport's integrity and its role in American culture. His book, The National Game, remains an important text for understanding baseball's cultural significance and its impact on American identity.