When Baseball Went to War.
Chicago: Triumph Books, [2008]. Hardcover. Small 4to. Glossy pictorial paper over boards, pictorial dust jacket. xi, 244pp. Numerous illustrations. Fine/fine. Item #48339
ISBN: 9781600781261
Pristine first edition of this study of how the nation's national sport contributed to the war effort during World War Two. Roster at rear lists all major league players who fought in the war, and tipped to the inner flyleaf of this special copy are three fine, matching, heavy stock 3" X 5" cards boldly signed by a trio of athletes who paused their careers to serve in the American military. Top to bottom: ROBERT H. "BOBBY" ADAMS (1921-97, second and third baseman from 1946 to 1959 for Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs) signs in black ballpoint, dating it 8 August 1973 at upper right; WILLIAM "BARNEY" McCOSKY (1917-96, outfielder from 1939 to 1953 for Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Athletics, Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians) signs in black ballpoint, dating it 16 August 1973 at upper right; and ALLEN L. "ZEKE" ZARILLA (1919-96, outfielder from 1943 to 1953 for St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago White Sox) signs in blue ballpoint and dates it 7 November 1973 at upper right. Clear sleeve on front flyleaf contains accompanying CD-ROM. Laid in are ideal bookmarks: Adams, McCosky and Zarilla's original transmittal envelopes and also a note from The National World War II Museum's fundraising organization that created the exhibit that resulted in this book presenting a copy to a benefactor. An incredible, highly unusual copy.
Price: $125.00