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Which is the best football book ever published ?
Some say the very best is "The Book of Footbal"l.
The Book of Football was originally published as 12 fortnightly partworks, each costing sixpence, between October 1905 and March 1906. It was subsequently republished as a single bound volume in 1906. The publisher was The Amalgamated Press, which had initially specialised in comic magazines such as Comic Cuts and Illustrated Chips. The first issue featured a striking colour cover featuring Billy Brawn of Aston Villa, painted by noted artist EP Kinsella, and was promoted as a unique publication in large newspaper ads stating, "Nothing like it has ever been done before!"
"Both from a literary and pictorial aspect this publication is one which cannot but appeal strongly to all lovers of the game," said a newspaper review at the time. "A feature of the work is 'The Gallery of Famous Footballers' pictures, which will form an ornament to any room."
Inside each issue's large format pages are detailed articles on the history and growth of football, tutorials from top players, and profiles of big clubs, plus articles on various aspects of football, such as how balls and boots are made, and how the transfer system works. The articles are written by some of football's most respected figures, including FA vice president CW Alcock, secretary Frederick Wall, Football League president JJ Bentley, top referee John Lewis, and FA committee man and co-author of the Association Football... rival publication Alfred Davis.
But the most immediate appeal of The Book of Football was - and remains - its lavish illustrations. Every single page is illustrated with one or more photographs, sketches and diagrams. Many of the photos are unique to the book, and extremely rare. As well as team group shots of profiled clubs, there are portraits of players and officials and - perhaps most interestingly - scores of action shots taken at grounds around the country.
Many of the photos are full-page plates, which - at more than 12 inches by nine inches in size - are fantastic individual pieces of art. Unfortunately, this meant that many of the plates were removed from copies of the book to be stuck on walls. Individual plates from
The spine has been repaired at the splits, hencethe lower price for this magnificent book over 110 years old !
33 x 25 cms, hardback, 292 pages.
1905
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