Raymond Glendenning's Book of Sport for Boys 1950

A unique feature of the series was its blend of sports coverage with fiction. The book contained 3-4 stories of "Skip and Co. of Felgate School," written by the legendary Frank Richards, better known as the creator of Billy Bunter and the Greyfriars series. Richards, whose real name was Charles Hamilton, was one of the most prolific authors of boys' school stories, and his involvement added significant literary value to the publication.
The book stood out for its comprehensive approach to sports coverage:
◾Expert analysis and commentary
◾Behind-the-scenes insights from professional athletes
◾Engaging sports stories and features
◾Technical advice and training tips
◾Historical perspectives on various sports
◾Educational Impact
A Visual Journey Through 1950s Sports Legends Captured in Time The photographs in this edition served not just as illustrations but as inspiration for young readers, presenting a comprehensive visual record of sports achievement across multiple disciplines. The mix of action shots, portraits, and historic moments created a rich tapestry of sporting excellence that helped establish this annual as a treasured resource for sports-minded youth of the 1950s.
What made this publication particularly special was its ability to combine entertainment with education. Young readers could learn about their favourite sports from actual practitioners while enjoying engaging narratives that captured the spirit and values of athletic competition.
The series' success paved the way for future sports publications aimed at young readers, establishing a format that would influence sports literature for decades to come. The Felgate School stories, appearing both in this series and in other publications like Billy Bunter's Own and Tom Merry's Own, demonstrated the successful marriage of sports and fiction writing that appealed to young readers of the era. This inaugural 1950 edition remains a cherished piece of British sporting literature, representing a unique collaboration between broadcasting, sports, and literary talents of the post-war period.
A Unique Owner's Mark: The Michael Gibson Inscription
In this particular copy of the 1950 Raymond Glendenning's Book of Sport for Boys for sale here on Soccerbooks, there's an intriguing personal connection: a front endpaper inscription by Michael Gibson, complete with an 'X' directing readers to page 8—where, rather delightfully, we find a story titled 'Comeback' authored by none other than Michael Gibson himself.
While this personal inscription creates a charming narrative connection, the editors at soccerbooks.co.uk are correct in their assessment that it doesn't increase the book's monetary value. Even when connected to the content within the book, owner inscriptions typically don't enhance a book's market value unless the owner is someone of historical significance. 
However, what makes this inscription special is its unique story-telling element. As noted by antiquarian booksellers https://www.abaa.org/blog/post/signed-books-vs.-inscribed-books When you purchase an inscribed book, you are purchasing a story. In this case, the inscription creates a personal connection between the owner and their published work, adding a layer of human interest to this particular copy. 
Such inscriptions often provide fascinating glimpses into the relationship between readers and their books, and these personal markings can tell intriguing stories about the books' previous owners, even if they don't translate to monetary value.
While this inscription may not boost the book's market price, it represents something perhaps more valuable: a tangible connection to the book's history and one of its contributors, making this copy uniquely personal and historically fascinating in its own right.