BOOKS/HISTORY/value

[bgar3]

A question on the value of a really nice old classic baseball history book Spink's National Game), combined with the poll on selling removed pages from guides etc, has prompted this personal observation on the "value" of baseball books. I have collected books, not just baseball books for over 40 years, and I believe in, and fully understand that people have different tastes. But one way I value things is by comparing them to what else I could get for the same cost. For example, the Spink book (3-400 dollars), is something I would value highly in comparison to things like 100 framed pages removed from guides, any number of submissions for grading, and 20 or more baseballs signed in squiggles. Throw in some old photos, or letters with content and i would have a difficult choice to make. Make it an inscribed copy of a classic history and I will borrow money to get it. Although this is just my opinion and taste, I would make the argument that books like the Spink book are truly cornerstone "iconic" books and should be worth even more. Every truly great collector i have ever known has had a love for and understanding of, the history of baseball as a common trait. They may collect different things, but the great ones understand and love the history. Even though I do not collect T206's , I get it, because collecting them is to pursue history. For some reason great baseball books are not popular at the moment, on this forum, or in general. However, I feel very confident they will still be sought and collected long after some other current fads have faded. Please take just one minute and think about the History and (and value) a book like the Spink, or Spalding's National Game, or Richter has as a foundation for whatever you collect. I suggest your collection will be better for it. I hope this stimulates some book discussion and we can take more advantage of the expertise of members like Barry and Max and be working together to preserve baseball history, not just make money.

[Runscott]

There are plenty of forum members who have nice vintage book collections.

The reason we don't have a lot of book discussions is that this is a card and collectibles forum - to most here, books are useful only as much as their value for providing information related to cards and collectibles, or their ability to provide dollars to fill pockets or fuel the building of collections. If this were a sports book collectors forum, the results you saw in Leon's poll would be totally different.

I used to look for good deals on expensive books and purchase accordingly. The problem was that I always ended up needing to sell some of them, the result being that I no longer had the book and the information it contained. I began replacing some of the more expensive copies with inexpensive modern reprints, especially if there were no photographs in the original, or the reprint photos sufficed. Spalding's 'National Game' is a perfect example, as is the huge-format 1911 book that was re-printed a few years ago and is available for under $30 (I can't remember the title, but it has a beautiful litho on the front and maroon backing boards). The early Spalding and Reach Guides that did not contain photos are also good in the reprint versions, but the ones with glossy inserts really can't be replaced. Most of the great coffee table photo books can still be purchased at reasonable prices, and I recommend getting ALL of them.

Max could probably create a really good list of baseball books, along with the quality (or existence) of their reprint versions. Maybe at some point I'll send him what I have and between us we can come up with something that is useful.

[bgar3]

sorry, deleted meant to be pm to runscott

[steve B]

I also collect books, less than my wife, but I still pick up some.

I don't have enough older baseball books. Like so many things I should have picked up a bunch when I was in HS/college and they were usually cheap.

I really like some of the more modern ones, mostly for the baseball stories.

A lot of my stuff is either about collectibles, or is early books about some particular technology, like radio books from before around the mid 1920's or computer books from 60's and 70's or earlier.

Steve B

[aelefson]

I collect them as well, but limit my buying to antique stores, flea markets, and local card shows. I have one dealer who recently sold me some of his early baseball books and I now have the Spalding book, the Anson book, the numbered Boston book, and a few other cool ones. I also have a Spalding guide rebound with Tim Murinane's imprint on the front. I will try to post some pictures over the weekend.

Today I found an 1841 chapbook (Animal Biography by Babcock in New Haven) with a small illustration of three kids (one is holding a bat and appears to be swinging at a ball). This was at a fairly large antique shop, and it was only 20.00. It is now my earliest "baseball" item in my collection.

Overall, I agree that they should be more valuable than they are, but I think the same for old magazines and newspapers with similar content and photos. Especially when compared to astronomical prices for similar pictures on pieces of cardboard (which I also collect).

Alan

[Hot Springs Bathers]

Baseball books certainly have a place in the memorabilia side of this forum and there are some folks with unbelievable collections out there.

Any person wanting to build a library should consider the four volume Baseball Bibliography by Myron Smith which I believe is still available from McFarland. Its' scope is astonishing. Once you get the hang of it you will be able to find out what is out there and then searching abe.books will give you some idea on values though I do think they tend to run higher that most can be found.

I keep a scan of older titles especially if jackets are shown, it gives me an idea as to color and condition. Most older titles I own I place jackets in Brodart covers for protection.

I own around 2,000 baseball volumes but from what I've read on this board, many of our members have much deeper collections with more of the classic early editions. I have spent the last couple of years working on my football books and also use Myron Smith's College and Pro Bibliographies for guidance.

[baseballart]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Max could probably create a really good list of baseball books, along with the quality (or existence) of their reprint versions. Maybe at some point I'll send him what I have and between us we can come up with something that is useful.

Scott

I've always been woefully behind in sorting and organizing. At present, I'm also trying to downsize many of my post 1970 and a number pre 1970 titles. So if anyone is in Vancouver (think Alaska cruise) and wants to pick up some titles, give me a shout.

[aelefson]

Max got the title. I think mine is 125, but I will have to check.

[aelefson]

Here is the Murnane (I have a mental block when it comes to spelling his name). I really like association copies too, but I wish this one had notes in it!

Alan

[Runscott]

Alan-please post a scan of the 1841 image!

Sent from my SM-G730V using Tapatalk

[bgar3]

thank you alan and max, i thought that was probably it, but wanted to be sure. love that photo everytime i see it max. if anyone would like to see a letter from james d'wolf lovett, the author of old boston boys about the book and how women used to watch baseball games i can send you a scan. (it will have come from a local library to your email so send me a pm, i will also send the inscription to charles dana gibson, his nephew and illustrator of the book and the famous gibson girls. alan, you probably already know this but murnan changed his name to murnane, i believe to be more american. sabr has a good bio on him. max, a book discussion!