Mike Kelly, Play Ball, 1889

[baseballart]

I picked this item up in trade a while back (Just think of me as the KC A's to the other party NYY, however)

[JeremyW]

Great trade. I really like that & don't remember seeing many of them around.

[WillowGrove]

Beautiful. I always wondered if the stories were interesting reading. Gotta be right? I can check but has this book been reprinted? I usually abhor any kind of 'reprint' but for old books which i collect (more in the past than now), I have been starting to seek out reprints so I can handle and read the contents.

I know you have an extensive book collection max- which is your favorite?

and I hope you at least gave up the equivalent of Joe DeMastri - I mean he had a couple good season for the A's at least.

Again - a beauty.

peter

[aquarius31]

Hi Max, that's a great pickup and love to see the woodcut! Are there any other woodcuts in the book itself or back cover?

[ksfarmboy]

I don't collect books but if I did that would be the highest on my want list. Did the dust jacket come in two colors or is that one just aged? Seems the other on I've seen was a sort of green color.

[bigtrain]

Originally Posted by ksfarmboy

I don't collect books but if I did that would be the highest on my want list. Did the dust jacket come in two colors or is that one just aged? Seems the other on I've seen was a sort of green color.

Not a dust jacket. These were not printed in hardcover as far as I know.

[baseballart]

Originally Posted by WillowGrove

and I hope you at least gave up the equivalent of Joe DeMastri - I mean he had a couple good season for the A's at least.

I'll miss that Maras guy, but he'll never amount to anything, right??

[barrysloate]

I don't believe this book was ever reprinted. I never read it, because when I had my copy it was too fragile to handle. The book was made from poor quality paper, so very few have survived, and even fewer in nice condition. I remember one circulating that was nearly pristine, but it had a small amount of restoration to it. Despite it all, book collectors consider it a rarity.

[bigtrain]

Here is my copy. Possibly the one you mentioned, Barry. Minor restoration but very well done. Picked this up from REA a few years ago.

[bigtrain]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

I don't believe this book was ever reprinted. I never read it, because when I had my copy it was too fragile to handle. The book was made from poor quality paper, so very few have survived, and even fewer in nice condition. I remember one circulating that was nearly pristine, but it had a small amount of restoration to it. Despite it all, book collectors consider it a rarity.

I think I may have seen a McFarland reprint a while ago. Looking for my McFarland catalog. Anyone know if there is one out there?