A true APBA legend has passed on.
The APBA Newsletter reports that Edwin Zack has passed away on August 8th. To many of us, Ed Zack was most famous for editing the popular “APBA Baseball: The Handbook for APBA Baseball Cards”. In short, it was known as the ‘Zack Handbook’ or simply, “the Handbook”.
Ed Zack’s Handbook is one of favorite tomes of this game we play. This photo of my book was taken years ago and it was already in a tattered shape from constant reading. And I assure you, it’s not in any better shape now. It is a fun read and full of great information about APBA baseball cards. I’ve even gotten a few Monster Cards from the Zack Handbook.
But there was so much more to Ed than the Handbook, of course. I bought the handbook after meeting Ed at a National APBA Convention in Lancaster. I found Ed to be friendly and very gregarious. When I spoke to him, he was playing APBA Hockey, the first time I had seen it played.
For more glimpses into Ed, The APBA Football Club has put out a tribute video to him. I’m listening to it now and there are some great stories about him.
I encourage fans to check it out.
Ed Zack’s legacy can also be found in his online version of the handbook. As I alluded to, there are some real gems in there.
The league I am in occasionally will reference Zack’s Handbook during play and I am sure ours is not the only one. Imagine having that kind of effect on so many.
Rest in peace, Ed Zack
Can you buy this hand book? If so where?
Tim: There is no print version of the book at present; only hard copies are available sporadically from collectors (eBay, etc.). But in 2012, the current editor (John Cochrane) and his handbook committee made the book digital. Everything is available at https://www.zackapbahandbook.org/. There are five or so large PDF files that you could print.
I wish this were the case, but a lot of the prologue, as well as the David Lawrence essays, have still not made it to the website. I don’t know why, but Tim should know this. If I was Tim I would still download it, as the wealth of information that is available is remarkable.
Tim: I just saw your question and as it turns out I am downsizing my APBA stuff. I have the first edition of the Handbook and am going to put it on ebay in the next few days, if interested let me know.
Ed
At the present, I am downsizing all of my collections. Most of my stamps and classic baseball cards from the 50s and 60s are already gone. Now looking at selling off my APBA “stuff” to new caretakers for the future. I still have a mint copy of Edwin Zacks classic book ” The Ultimate Handbook for APBA Baseball Cards” It is definitely in mint condition and used only hardly at all. I would like to have a value of the book so I can give and receive a fair price for it. It will be going on Ebay very soon!