March 21, 2010 Library’s Baseball Treasures Subject of Talk on April 12

The world’s largest collection of things related to baseball is housed at the Library of Congress, and a new, lavishly illustrated history of the sport features more than 350 of the best items in the collections, some dating as far back as the late 1700s.

“Baseball Americana: Treasures from the Library of Congress” (Smithsonian Books, 2009) will be the subject of a discussion by its authors – Harry Katz, Frank Ceresi, Phil Michel, Wilson McBee and Susan Reyburn – on Monday, April 12, at noon in the Mumford Room on the sixth floor of the James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E. The event is part of the Books & Beyond authors series, which is sponsored by the Center for the Book. The Library’s Publishing Office is co-sponsoring this program, which is free and open to the public; no tickets are required.

Following the discussion, the book will be available for sale and signing by its authors.

From baseball’s biggest stars to street urchins, from its most newsworthy stories to sandlot and Little League games, “Baseball Americana” examines baseball’s hardscrabble origins, rich cultural heritage and uniquely American character.

• Among the treasures included are:
• • The earliest-known printed image of baseball in America, from 1787
• • The first dated baseball card, from 1865, featuring the Brooklyn Atlantics
• • An original 1924 panoramic print of the first black World Series
• • A rare color portrait from 1952 of legendary pitcher Satchel Page

“Baseball Americana” is also the subject of a discussion on Facebook. The new Books & Beyond Book Club is available at www.facebook.com/booksandbeyond/. Here readers can discuss books by authors who have appeared or will appear in this series. The site also offers links to webcasts of these events and asks readers to talk about what they have just seen and heard.

The Center for the Book (www.loc.gov/cfbook/) was established by Congress in 1977 “to use the resources and prestige of the Library of Congress to promote books, reading, literacy and libraries.” With its many educational programs that reach readers of all ages, through its support of the National Book Festival and through its dynamic state centers in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the center for the Book has developed a nationwide network of organizational partners dedicated to promoting the wonders and benefits of reading. The center also oversees the new Read.gov website, with its exclusive “Exquisite Corpse Adventure” serialized story.