Spalding's How to Play Basket Ball

Spalding "How To Play Basket Ball" guides were produced from 1904 until 1924. George T. Hepbron was editor of these until 1909-10. G.N. Messer assumed that editor role starting with the 1910-11 guide. Messer had produced a 92 page Master's thesis in 1909 while at Springfield College. Much of this content was used in the "How To Play" guides that were produced while he was editor. The "How to Play" guides are probably considered the least glamorous of the Spalding guides to collect as the covers didn't change (except for Group Number) during the last 14 years of production. It is also relatively difficult to determine the actual date the books were produced. The copyright date is in cases, unrepresentative of age. Investigation of Spalding guide listings and cross-referencing all guides provides the best evidence of the actual age of the books.

Spalding How To Play (British) - 1907

Spalding How To Play - 1904

Spalding How To Play - 1906/07

Spalding How To Play - 1909/10

Spalding How To Play - 1910/11

Spalding How to Play - 1912

Spalding How to Play - 1919

Spalding How to Play - 1924