The International Football Book for Boys 1959

There's something deeply poetic about the frontispiece of The International Football Book for Boys featuring Edson Arantes do Nascimento. In 1959, when this book was published, most readers would have known him simply as Pelé, the 17-year-old phenomenon who had exploded onto the world stage at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. That this remarkable volume opens with the full birth name of football's future king perfectly captures its historical significance: a book that documented the sport's transformation from local passion to global spectacle. 
The book's timing was impeccable. Real Madrid had established their early dynasty in the European Cup, the transfer market was beginning to go international, and footballers were becoming genuine global celebrities. This volume captures the pivotal moment when football transitioned from a collection of isolated national styles to a truly global game.
What makes this first edition extraordinary is its contributor list. John Charles, fresh from his groundbreaking move to Juventus, offers an insider's view of Italian football's "Millionaire's Circus"—a" term that perfectly encapsulates the glamour and spectacle of Serie A in the late 1950s. Raymond Kopa's insights into Real Madrid provide a rare glimpse into what was arguably the first great European superteam. 
The British perspective comes alive through Tom Finney, Harry Gregg, Dave Bowen, Jim Armfield, and Jimmy Delaney, some of the finest players of their generation. Their "constructive suggestions as to the future of the game" read today like a mix of prophecy and endearing speculation, a reminder of how far football has come. 
In an era before instant global communication, gathering such an international array of contributors was a remarkable achievement. The photographs, many from personal albums, offer intimate glimpses into a world of football that was just beginning to realize its global potential.
Despite its title suggesting a youth audience, the content is surprisingly sophisticated. The book treats its readers as serious students of the game, offering detailed tactical discussions and behind-the-scenes insights that would satisfy even the most knowledgeable adult fan.
Reading it today feels like unearthing a time capsule from a crucial junction in football's history when the sport was sophisticated enough to merit serious analysis but still retained much of its original innocence. The discussion of Real Madrid's European Cup dominance, for instance, reads differently knowing they would continue to define the competition for decades to come. 
For modern readers, the value lies in how it captures the sport's evolution. The book's very existence, with its international roster of contributors and global perspective, signals football's emergence as a truly worldwide phenomenon. While some of its technical discussions may have aged, the core appeal remains intact—a reminder that great football writing, like great football itself, has a timeless quality. 
For historians of the game, collectors, or anyone interested in football's golden age, The International Football Book for Boys isn't just a curiosity—it's an essential document of a sport on the cusp of modernity. Opening with young Pelé and closing with visions of football's future, it captures a moment when the beautiful game truly became beautiful.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48 
Published: October 31, 1959
Price: £75.00 
Hardcover: 168 pages

This rare collector's edition, published over 66 years ago, remains in exceptional condition. The book features pristine red cloth boards and a remarkably tight binding. All pages maintain their original brightness and cleanliness, free from any markings or inscriptions.
The dust jacket shows minimal shelf wear and has been professionally preserved in our archival protection sleeve. The original price of 12/6p remains intact on the unclipped jacket.
Given its immaculate preservation and historical significance, this volume represents a true collector's piece that would make a distinguished addition to any serious football literature collection.