Wilson Athletic Library

The Wilson Athletic Library is an interesting series. In its own words, "The Wilson Athletic Library comprises books of instruction by coaches and authorities of national repute in all the more important branches of sport." There are 6 basketball books in the series. Back in the day, these books were actually placed on a company-named metal book racks that were labeled Wilson Athletic Library that matched the red and blue editions of the booklets. The first book written in 1918 (25 cents) by E.D. Angell was Basket Ball - How to Play and Coach the Game. Thos. E. Wilson and Co. published this book with a very attractive cover for three editions, the last time in 1921 (50 cents). Then, they had a fourth printing in a red and blue format and assigned a code - L30 to the book. The second book in the series, Basket Ball for Women was written by Doris Bocker, M.D. and published in 1920. It also had an attractive cover. Although I have never seen a red and blue version of this booklet, I do believe it was published in that form as a second edition between 1921 and 1923 and assign L31. The other books in the Wilson Athletic Library were only published in the red and blue format. They were assigned consecutive codes up to L35.

Wilson - Basket Ball (1st Edition) 1918

Wilson - Basket Ball (3rd Edition) 1921

Wilson - Basket Ball (4th Edition) L30 1921

Wilson - Basket Ball For Women 1920

Wilson - Basketball Defense L34 1923

Wilson - Basketball Plays and Attack L32 1923

Wilson - Fundamentals of Basketball L33 1923

Wilson - Training the Team L35 1923