Baseball Americana: Treasures from the Library of Congress – A Visual History from Civil War Origins to the National Pastime

A lavishly illustrated history of America's game from the unparalleled collections of the Library of Congress, with a foreword by George F. Will and a new preface by Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress

“One of the most seductively designed books about the sport to come our way. . . . A book like this, so rich and deep in material. . . . brings baseball history to multifaceted life and reminds us that baseball is the sport that celebrates its history more than any other. . . . This book itself is a form of time-traveling—a pleasurable, often surprising and aesthetic trip.” —San Diego Union-Tribune

Baseball, the sport that helped reunify the country in the years after the Civil War, remains the National Pastime. The Library of Congress houses the world's largest baseball collection, documenting the history of the game and providing a unique look at America since the late 1700s. Baseball Americana presents the best of the best from that treasure trove. From baseball's biggest stars to street urchins, from its most newsworthy stories to sandlot and Little League games, the book examines baseball's hardscrabble origins, rich cultural heritage, and uniquely American character.

The more than 350 fabulous illustrations—many never before published—feature first-generation, vintage photographic and chromolithographic baseball cards; photographs of famous players and ballparks; and newspaper clippings, cartoons, New Deal photographs, and baseball advertisements. Packed with images that will surprise and thrill even the most expert collector, Baseball Americana is a gift for every baseball fan.

Harry Katz is the former head curator in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress and a lifelong Red Sox fan. He divides his time between Washington D.C., and Del Mar, California.

Frank Ceresi is a well-known baseball historian and writer living in the D.C. area.

Phil Michel manages the Library’s Prints and Photographs Division archive of more than one million digital images.