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Baseball fans… can you help?
May 11, 2009 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
A customer was requesting a newspaper with a report of Nap LaJoie, one of the more notable names in baseball in the early 20th century, ending the 1901 season with a .422 batting average. He was one of only a few to do so in the 20th century (there’s been a 67 year dry spell since Ted Williams was the last to do so, in 1941).
Finding reports of batting averages in 1901 is very difficult, but I did find a report at the end of the season which notes: “Lajoie…took part in 131 games. He was at bat 554 times, made 226 singles, 48 doubles 12 triples and 13 home runs…”.
Never mind that the numbers are slightly off from the official record book, which notes 543 games, 229 singles, 48 doubles (only one correct), 13 triples and 14 homers, as such errors might be understandable. But even given the accurate numbers, in calculating his average one comes up with a sum of 304 successful at bats, divided by the number of games (543) giving an average of .560. But curiously, if you just took his 229 singles divided by 543 the result is exactly his recorded batting average: .4217, rounded out to .422.
Should I surmise that the term “singles” actually means “hits” by today’s terminology ? Was this the common practice back then, to call any type of “hit” a “single”? If so, when did they make the switch?
Thanks for your help !
Tim
Contest Winners… “In Search for the Unusual and Bizarre”
March 18, 2009 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
AND the winners are…
A few weeks ago the History’s Newsstand Blog ran a contest asking members to contribute unusual and/or bizarre articles they’ve discovered through the years. Many unique entries were submitted, and the voting, done by both members and staff, resulted in a photo finish. The results:
1st Place ($100 website gift certificate) -Phil Howland who submitted a St. Louis Missouri Republican, June 22, 1826, regarding “A MISSOURI TRAPPER”
2nd Place ($50 website gift certificate) – Joe Rainone, who submitted THE DAY’S DOINGS, February 10, 1872, regarding General Custer and Miss Spotted Tale”
3rd Place ($25 website gift certificate) -Erik Anderson, who submitted The Gentleman’s Magazine, dated March, 1732, regarding “Vampires”
The entire text all of entries may be viewed at:
“In Search for the Unusual and Bizarre”
Thanks to all those who took the time to submit an entry. Many members indicated by e-mail as to how much the enjoyed reading the entries. The MISSOURI TRAPPER:
Contest: “In Search for the Unusual and Bizarre”…
March 2, 2009 by GuyHeilenman · 13 Comments
Back by popular demand… A History’s Newsstand Blog contest…
“In Search for the Unusual and Bizarre”
Have you ever discovered an unusual or bizarre report while perusing a rare and early newspaper? If so, our members would love to hear about it. From March 2nd through March 9th we will be accepting your contributions/discoveries. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes will be offered for the most unusual/bizarre postings. To enter the contest simply find your most bizarre report and enter it as a comment to this post. Only one entry may be submitted per person. Please include the title and date of the issue along with the report (or a summary of the report if it is long).
How will the winners be determined? Anyone may “vote” on their favorite choice starting March 10th – only one vote per person please. To vote, submit your selection by e-mail to guy@rarenewspapers.com. Choices must be made by the end of the day on 3/13/2009. Each Rare Newspapers’ staff member will also have one vote. The winners will be announced through the blog and by personal e-mail sometime during the week of 3/16/2009.
What will the winner receive? Winners will have their stories recognized on the blog, will receive a Rare Newspapers gift certificate worth $100 (1st place), $50 (2nd place), and $25 (3rd place), and will have the satisfaction of knowing they contributed to the enhancement of the rare newspapers collectible community.
You may want to view some of our own unusual/bizarre discoveries to help get you started. These are not eligible for the contest. They may be viewed at: https://blog.rarenewspapers.com/?cat=116
Please don’t hesitate. Share your bizarre or unusual report with the world!
18th century American magazines: one to share…
February 2, 2009 by TimHughes · 3 Comments
Magazines published in 18th century America were relative few & far between when compared with newspapers of the same era. From the first magazine in 1741 through the Revolutionary War only 18 magazine titles were published, most lasting but a few issues. During the Revolutionary War only one magazine was in print, and it only lasted from January, 1775 through July, 1776, this last issue containing the Declaration of Independence.
Magazines have always been of interest to me since almost all titles carried various news of the day, typically within the back several pages, much like the British “Gentleman’s Magazine” had done since 1731. Some American magazines contained plates as well, but finding issues with the plates still intact can be extremely difficult and frustrating. The more noteworthy the plate, the less likely it will be present, typically removed by some previous owner many years ago. So when issues come on the market with significant plates still bound within the issue, it’s a moment of much excitement.
Here is one from our private collection, The Columbian Magazine from Philadelphia dated January, 1787, which contains a full page plate of “General Washington”, in addition to a foldout plate of the “Meteorological Observations” for the month of December, 1786. We are pleased to share these photos with our fellow collectors, and wish all of you the great luck in finding your own American magazine with notable prints!