New and expanded edition that includes signatures studies of all hall of famers from the 19th century to the present day. Newly added studies of Shoeless Joe Jackson and the rest of the infamous black sox. Roger Maris, Gil Hodges, and the top 50 non hall of fame autographs are also explored in depth. Richly illustrated with nearly 1,000 examples of autographs and forgeries of the hall of famers and stars from yesteryear. Also found within is a new price guide examining values of various signed mediums. A market population grid of the rare and seldom seen signatures tops off the book. Collectors can compare signatures to the examples to determine the genuiness of autographs and assist them in the purchase of that cherished baseball treasure.

House of David barnstorming baseball (1915-1957) was played without pre-determined schedules, leagues, player statistics or standings. The Davids quickly gained popularity for their hirsute appearance and flashy, fast-paced style of play. During their 200 seasons, they travelled as many as 30,000 miles, criss-crossing the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Benton Harbor teams invented the pepper game and were winners year after year, becoming legends in barnstorming baseball. Initially a loose affiliation of players, the Davids expanded to three teams--Western, Central and Eastern--as their reputation grew, and hired outsiders to fill the rosters. Prominent among them were pitchers Grover Cleveland Alexander and Charlie "Chief" Bender, both player managers in the early 1930s. They resisted the color barrier, eagerly facing Negro League teams everywhere. In 1934, before their largest crowd to date, they defeated the first Negro team invited to the famed Denver Post Tournament, the great Kansas City Monarchs, for the championship.