1920's-30's Baseball Guides Question

[quinnsryche]

Anyone out there collect BB guides from the 20' and 30's? I have a question, which one (Reach or Spalding) has the better pictures? Does anyone have scans they can post for examples? I'd like to pick up a few but don't know what the insides look like.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Tony

[horzverti]

In my opinion, both have great pics...because they both Reach and Spalding guides used mostly Conlon photos for their Big League players' images.

Here is an image of the NY Yankees page from the 1937 Reach Guide.

I haven't figured out how to attach more than one image here while using an iPad.

Curt

[quinnsryche]

Curt, thanks for that scan. Does one more than the other have more single player shots or are they mostly montages. I used to collect guides from 1900-1920 but don't have much experience in them after that.

[barrysloate]

Spalding Guides have excellent single player shots in the 1900-1920 era, but at some point they get a bit artsy and have more montage or action photos. I do recommend Spalding Guides, however. I use mine often and they are really helpful. I don't have any Reach Guides.

[Hot Springs Bathers]

I think both do a good job each year. I am missing three Reach guides from that period bu they seem consistent. It is very difficult to scan them though, perhaps mine are just brittle.

[Lordstan]

I have 2 Reach guides in my collection 1935 and 1937. Both have very nice pictures and vibrant colors. I can't speak if all are the same, but my two are very nice. Both of mine are bound editions in a hardcover with Gehrig on the cover.

[horzverti]

Here is a pic of my PC monitor. I have a bunch of old Spalding Guides on CD-ROM.

1922 Spalding Guide

New York Americans (Yankees)

Looks like Walter Pipp had not yet been Wally Pipped...that wouldn't occur until three years later...and who is George H. Ruth??

[quinnsryche]

Mark, those guides are in absolutely incredible condition! You must be one proud papa.
Thanks for the pics and info guys, it helps a lot.
One last question, I see Reach American League Guides on ebay, what about the National League? Who produced those? If I remember correctly, Spalding covers both leagues, right?
Thanks again.

[barrysloate]

Spalding covers both leagues and tons of minor leagues too, with mostly team photos for the minors.

[Lordstan]

Tony,
Thanks. I got them off ebay. I paid higher than I'd ever seen them listed for, but considering Gehrig and their condition, I had to go for it.

Here are a few more pics

1935 book front


back


inside front


1937 edition front


back


edge


inside front

[quinnsryche]

Love the embossing on the '35. Very classy looking.
Thanks for sharing.