A Day in the Bleachers
San Francisco: Arion Press, 2006. Number 284 of 400 numbered copies with an additional lettered copies for private distribution. Signed by the author and the illustrator. This is a delightful book by Arnold Hano, who attended the 1954 World Series between the New York Giants and the Cleveland Indians. The book was published with great delight by the proprietor of the Arion Press, who was a devoted season ticket-holder at the San Francisco Giants stadium. It was originally published in 1955 by Thomas Y. Crowell. It was soon recognized as a classic of the genre and has been in print continuously since then. Arnold Hano (1922 – 2021) was an American editor, novelist, biographer and journalist, best known for his non-fiction work A Day in the Bleachers, a critically acclaimed eyewitness account of Game 1 of the 1954 World Series, that centered on its pivotal play, Willie Mays' famous catch and throw. The Catch was a baseball play made by New York Giants center fielder Willie Mays on September 29, 1954, during Game 1 of the 1954 World Series. In the eighth inning, with the score tied 2–2, Cleveland Indians batter Vic Wertz hit a deep fly ball to center field that had the runners on base poised to score. However, Mays made an over-the-shoulder catch while on the run to record the out, and his throw back to the infield prevented one of the runners from advancing. The Giants won the game 5–2 in extra innings, and eventually the World Series. The Catch is regarded as one of the greatest plays in baseball history.
The illustrator, Mark Ulriksen, is a highly regarded artist, perhaps best known for the witty covers he created for the New Yorker magazine. The book includes 14 illustrations in egg tempura, with one in color and the others in shades of white, gray, and black. They are printed as single page to triple spread foldouts. Bound in blue cloth with black titling to spine and a black and white inset reproduction of the book's illustration titled "seventh-inning stretch" on the front cover. Printed on Zerkall Book Laid paper using Cushing Old Style and Stationers Gothic Bold types. The endpapers show the game's box score for September 29, 1954. A handsome copy in fine condition. Accompanied by the prospectus. Measures 7.5 x 11 inches. 172 pages plus 14 sewn in leaves for the illustrations. PRI/110724. Fine.
Item #37596
Price: $650.00