Spalding Guides for Women

The Annotated Bibliography of Basketball Literature written by Robert M. Bruce in 1947 claims that Spalding's official women's guides were produced from 1898-99 to 1937-38. This is "almost" correct. Though I've never seen an example, extensive research of other Spalding Guides indicates the first women's guide was issue no. 106, likely in October, 1899. On page 49 of the 1899 Spalding Men's Guide, it discusses the formation of the Women’s Basket Ball Rules Committee at the Conference of Physical Training, held at Springfield College, MA. It talks about the June 1899 conference where Senda Berenson has been tasked with consolidating/adopting standardized women's basket ball rules. The 1899 men's guide story states that "this month", the first Women's Spalding Guide will be published, Spalding Guide #106. Many believe that the first Women's Guide was produced in October, 1901. Research suggests otherwise. The 1901 guide is #141A. Cross referencing the various Spalding guides, I also determined that women's guides were not annual at first. The next women's guides were produced in 1903 (#171), 1905 (#260), and 1908 (#318). Then in 1910-11, Spalding started breaking guides down by groups with basketball being Group 7A. At that point, Spalding designated about a dozen guides as "annual guides". This included the women' guide. Based on this...the 6th guide was published in 1910 #7A and then annually thereafter. These are extremely tough to find. Some say these are the most difficult Spalding guides to find - I can't disagree - and super tough to acquire prior to 1915.

Spalding Women - 1935/36

Spalding Women - 1936/37

Spalding Women - 1937-38