A truly fascinating collection of books documenting the early days of our national passtime. First, the "Spalding Official Baseball Guide of 1885" which contains game scores, statistics and the official rules of the game for 1884 and amazing vintage baseball related advertisements. The book has some clear tape on the cover but is otherwise EX. Next is "The Dime Baseball Player for 1873" which contains statistics, a glossary of terms and schedules. The cover is missing. VG. The 1866 edition of "Dime Baseball Player" is also part of this amazing collection. The book is VG. "How to Play Baseball" written in March 1903 contains vintage photographs of superstars like Nap Lajoie and Cy Young showing how to throw a curveball, bunt, steal bases and more. The cover is intact and the condition is EX+. "The Birth of a Nation's Passtime" published in 1872 is in EX-MT condition and contains scores, statistics and some history of the game. EX-MT. A hardcover edition of "Spalding's Guide to Baseball for 1897" is next. It includes photographs, statistics and much more. EX-MT. Ted Sullivan's 1903 book, "Humorous Stories of the Ballfield" recalls baseball's earliest days and humorous moments. EX. Spalding's "The Art of Pitching" published in 1885 and"Practical Ballplaying" written in 1895 also add to this collection. Each is in EX condition and has great early drawings and photographs. Spaulding's "1894 Baseball Guide" has a full color cover in tact. A 1931 book by Babe Ruth "How to Play Baseball" has great photographs of the Babe demonstrating baseball skills and techniques. EX-MT. Former White Sox manager Lew Fonseca wrote "How to Pitch Baseball" in 1942 and signed the book on the title page. It has great vintage photographs throughout, EX-MT. "Spalding's Official Baseball Guide for 1887" rounds out this outstanding collection. The cover is missing but the book and its content and readable and intact. One book in this collection was signed by the author to the first commissioner, Kinnesaw Mountain Landis. VG-EX.