FIRST EDITION OF A HISTORY OF THE NEGRO LEAGUES, SIGNED BY 37 PLAYERS INCLUDING MONTE IRVIN, SAM JETHROE, VERDELL MATHIS, NORMAN “BOBBY” ROBINSON, ART “SUPERMAN” PENNINGTON, JOE BLACK, WILMER FIELDS, AND TED “DOUBLE DUTY” RADCLIFFE

CRAFT, David. The Negro Leagues. New York: Crescent, (1993). Oblong quarto, original red paper boards, original dust jacket. $4800.

First edition of this illustrated history of baseball's Negro Leagues, signed by 37 players on the photographic endpapers and title page, including Monte Irvin, Sam Jethroe, Verdell Mathis, Norman “Bobby” Robinson, Art “Superman” Pennington, Joe Black, Wilmer Fields, and Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe.

"For anyone interested in the history of baseball, the history of race relations in the United States, or the history of the nation itself, The Negro Leagues is required reading. It not only includes rare photographs of memorabilia, players, and teams, but features stories of the times as told by some of the most important Negro Leaguers ever to lay a hand on the ball." Signed by Russell Awkard, Al Wilmore, Sherwood Brewer (twice), Bobby Robinson, Casey Jones, Ira McKnight, Andy Porter, Art "Superman" Pennington, Jimmy Dean, Verdell Lefty Mathis, Joe B. Scott, Marvin Price, Dennis Biddle, Wilmer Fields, Warren Peace, Bill (Ready) Cash, Joe Black, Mahlon Duckett, Wilmer Harris, Gene Benson, Stanley Glenn, Jim Wilkes, Monte Irvin, Sam Jethroe, Jim Cohen, Rodolfo Rudy Fernandez, Larry Kimbrough, Ted Double Duty Radcliffe (twice), Lester Lockett, Nap Gulley, Jessie Williams and six other players.

Nearly fine condition.