19th Century Baseball....in London!

[bgar3]

There was another British baseball book done just a few years before Knowles' book, by Newton Crane, entitled Baseball, 1891. It is part of the All England Series. Not sure if Crane was part of the same league, or a rival league. Anyway, not sure whether it came up in your searches or not. There are also some nice illustrations of game action from an earlier American series that are nice.

[vintagesportscollector]

Originally Posted by bgar3

There was another British baseball book done just a few years before Knowles' book, by Newton Crane, entitled Baseball, 1891. It is part of the All England Series. Not sure if Crane was part of the same league, or a rival league. Anyway, not sure whether it came up in your searches or not. There are also some nice illustrations of game action from an earlier American series that are nice.

Wow! Thanks, I didn't realize the significance of Crane, but just googled him...quite the baseball pioneer.

http://amanlypastime.blogspot.com/20...n-two.html?m=1

As it turns out Crane was instrumental in the formation of the London Baseball Association in 1894, and he was the league President that first year.

Prior to that, in 1889, Crane formed the National Base Ball League of Great Britain with Crane as president and money, players and managers provided by Albert Spalding. That was Great Britain's first organized baseball league.

Appreciatte the help...tieing the L.B.B.A back to another significant figure is pretty cool.

[bgar3]

Great, glad you were able to connect him to your league. If interested, you can find a copy for around 5 to 600 dollars if patient.

[vintagesportscollector]

...an article, on the BBHOF site, about Newton Crane's Book...

http://baseballhall.org/discover/sho...gh-1891-volume

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