Major League scorebook, titled "Spalding's New and Improved Pocket Base Ball Score Books No. 2," recording twenty-one games played by the Brooklyn Superbas from September 6, 1900, to May 3, 1901. Early Major League scorebooks are rare, but what makes this example especially significant is that the entire book has been recorded in the hand of Brooklyn catcher James "Deacon" McGuire, who has also signed it ("James T. McGuire") in pencil (grading 8/10) on the interior back cover. McGuire's signature is scarce because he died in 1936, long before autograph collecting rose in popularity, and we cannot recall the last time we have seen another example. Deacon McGuire enjoyed a twenty-six year major league career spanning the years 1884 to 1912, which is an especially long career for any player, but even more so for a catcher. Because of his longevity, he held numerous career catching marks at his retirement, including defensive games, putouts, assists, caught stealing, and stolen bases against. 

McGuire played in many of the games recorded here, so obviously it was not kept by McGuire while the games were being played. However, the games must have had some significance to him, because he took the time to accurately and neatly transpose all the action to these pages for his personal records. Among the many notable players featured in the various lineups are Honus Wagner, Fred Clarke, Willie Keeler, Joe Kelley, Cy Young, Bobby Wallace, Jake Beckley, Jesse Burkett, Ed Delahanty, Elmer Flick, Kid Nichols, Billy Hamilton, and Vic Willis.

The games recorded here, by date and team, are as follows: 9/6/00 (vs. Pittsburgh), 9/8/00 (doubleheader vs. Pittsburgh), 9/10/00 (vs. Pittsburgh; only the Brooklyn lineup is listed), 9/11/00 (vs. Cincinnati), 9/12/00 (vs. Cincinnati), 9/13/00 (doubleheader vs. Cincinnati), 9/14/00 (vs. Cincinnati), 9/15/00 (doubleheader vs. St. Louis), 9/17/00 (vs. St. Louis), 9/18/00 (vs. St. Louis), 9/19/00 (vs. St. Louis), 9/21/00 (vs. New York), 4/19/01 (vs. Philadelphia), 4/27/01 (vs. Boston), 4/29/01 (vs. Boston), 4/30/01 (vs. Boston; the entry date is mistakenly written as "April 29, 1901," but the game recorded is that played on April 30th vs. Boston), 5/2/01 (vs. Philadelphia), 5/3/01 (vs. Philadelphia). The very last page is dated "May 4th" and lists only Brooklyn's lineup for a game played that day against Philadelphia. The scorebook (8x5") displays light staining along the back cover and is otherwise in Excellent condition. Full LOA from JSA.