Philadelphia: Francis C. Richter, 1914.
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Hardcover. First edition. 306pp., illustrated from photographs. The front fly lacking, with some erosion to the cloth at the spine ends, and a little foxing. A well-worn but sound, good copy of this classic baseball book with a nice association, Inscribed by Richter to his son: "To my dear son Francis C. Jr. with the best wishes of his father. Francis C. Richter. Philadelphia Pa. March 14, 1914." As a writer, Richter was an influential force in the early development of the game. Beginning with the *Philadelphia Day* in 1872, then the *Sunday World* and *Public Ledger*, he was the first to set up a separate sports department for any newspaper. Richter was instrumental in the formation of the original American Association in 1882 and helped to place the Philadelphia Athletics in it. The next year he helped to organize the Phillies in the National League and started *Sporting Life*, a weekly newspaper, which became a great force in baseball. In 1907 he was offered the presidency of the National League but turned it down. He edited the *Reach Guide* from its inception in 1901 to the 1926 volume, which he completed days before his death. A splendid association copy. #314522.
Item #314522
