Mark Allen Baker

Mark Allen Baker (born 27 March 1957, Binghamton, New York) is a former business executive, and American author, historian, and writer of over 200 articles and 16 books^[1].

Expertise in the area of historic manuscripts and artifacts has enhanced his passion for history and is exhibited in many of his earlier books - publications that center around sports and music. Baker's later work has placed a greater emphasis on regional events and investigative research. While passionate about his primary subjects, he has also written many articles in the areas of antiques, art, authors, computer graphics, finance, and forensic science.

Baker's work has been referenced in numerous periodicals including USA Today^[1a], Sports Illustrated^[1b] and Money. Following his 1997 book, Goldmine's Price Guide to Rock & Roll Memorabilia^[2], he appeared as a co-host on the VH-1 series Rock Collectors. Baker has also been a featured speaker at many events including the Hemingway Days Festival & Writers Conference in Key West, Florida. He acts as a historian for many institutions including the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York^[2a] and was given a Lifetime Donor Membership by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York^[2b] for the research in his first book.

His fascination with history began as a child and in his book Collector's Guide to Celebrity Autographs (2000), he shared the secrets of his 40-year experience in collecting historical artifacts^[3]. "We collect celebrity autographs to preserve a moment, and to remind us of the human spirit that succeeds despite adversity," he explained. His book featured 7,000 address listings and more than 900 autographs^[4].

Baker’s work, particularly as it relates to American history, continues to draw the attention of new readers, historians and researchers. In The Pen & Quill,^[6] a trade journal for librarians and archivists, he examines the writing of Abraham Lincoln, including a stroke-by-stroke analysis of many of his key documents and major correspondence.^[7] While his valuable contribution to the field of historical manuscripts remains undiminished, it is his research skills, exhibited through some of his recent titles, that continues to impress his readers.

His diverse and in-depth analysis is exemplified by the individuals who have contributed Introductions to his numerous books including: Joe Sewell (Baseball Hall of Fame, Lou Gehrig’s roommate), Max Patkin (Cleveland Indians coach, Clown Prince of Baseball, actor “Bull Durham”), and Kermit “Shine” Forbes (Ernest Hemingway’s boxing sparring partner ). Additional contributors have also included: Charles Gehringer (Baseball Hall of Fame), A. Barlett Giamatti (Baseball), Bobby Doerr (Baseball Hall of Fame), Jeff Gordon (Racing), Paul Newman (Actor, Racing), Mario Andretti (Racing) and Andrew Wyeth (Art).^[8]

Baker has also been the co-owner of numerous businesses including "Bleachers" of Liverpool, New York - an 8,000 sq ft (740 m²). sports bar and museum. Opened in 1990, the popular restaurant hosted many famous and diverse events from a reception for "Stars on Ice" featuring Scott Hamilton and Debbie Thomas to a Monday Night radio show hosted by Mike Tirico. Tirico hosted his first show from WAER radio in Syracuse, NY, the radio station where he started this sports broadcasting career, on the campus of Syracuse University. During the NFL football season it was broadcast live from Bleachers prior to Monday Night Football.

The author examines the rich history of Boxing in Upstate New York in the award nominated “Title Town, USA " published by The History Press in May 2010. It is the first book to truly establish central New York as the epicenter of pugilism. The book's forward was written by Edward P. Brophy, Executive Director of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York. In October 2010, the author released "Basketball History in Syracuse, Hoops Roots" also published by The History Press. The book is an introduction to professional basketball in Syracuse and includes teams like (Vic Hanson's) All-Americans, the Syracuse Reds and the Syracuse Nationals (1946–1963). Contributions to the work include over a dozen former NBA players, along with members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Baker, a graduate from Fayetteville-Manlius High School, attended the State University of New York at Oswego. His post graduate work centered on digital imaging for his employer, the General Electric Corporation - Genigraphics Division; Art Director, Marketing Research Manager and Executive Assistant to the CEO. ^[9] Formerly Editor and Publisher (2007–2010) of "The Pen & Quill",^[5]considered by many to be one of the finest journals for autograph and manuscripts, he now resides in Hartford, Connecticut. He has three children : Aaron (b.1985), Elizabeth (b. 1986) and Rebecca (b.1990).

Selected Books

• Basketball History in Syracuse, Hoops Roots (2010) ISBN 978-1-59629-983-2
• TITLE TOWN, USA, Boxing in Upstate New York (2010) ISBN 978-1-59629-769-2
• The Official Autograph Collector Price Guide (2004) ISBN 0-9669710-9-4
• Celebrity Autographs, SECOND EDITION (2000) ISBN 0-87341-838-7
• Advanced Autograph Collecting (2000) ISBN 0-87341-632-5
• The Standard Guide to Collecting Autographs (1999) ISBN 0-87341-613-9
• Goldmine's Price Guide to Rock & Roll Memorabilia (1997) ISBN 0-87341-490-X
• Celebrity Autographs (1996) ISBN 0-87341-464-0
• Auto Racing (1996) ISBN 0-87341-437-3
• All-Sport Autograph Guide (1994) ISBN 0-87341-316-4
• Team Baseballs (1992) ISBN 0-87341-316-4
• Baseball Autograph Handbook, SECOND EDITION (1990) ISBN 0-87341-169-2
• Baseball Autograph Handbook (1990) ISBN 0-87341-125-0

References & Sources

1. Marquis,"Who's Who in America" 1a. USA TODAY, Baseball Weekly, August 29, 1991 1b. Issue cover date: 14 November 2005; http://subs.timeinc.net 2. Goldmine's Price Guide to Rock & Roll Memorabilia (1997) ISBN 0-87341-490-X 2a.www.ibhof.com 2b. www.baseballhalloffame.org 3. http://www.dailycelebrations.com/100900.htm 4. * Celebrity Autographs (1996) ISBN 0-87341-464-0 5. http://www.uacc.org/ 6. "The Pen & Quill", (ISSN 1089-9464) January–February 2008, page 35 "Lincoln Fragments" 7. The Library of Congress 8. Baseball Autograph Handbook;Team Baseballs; The Complete Guide to Boxing Collectibles 9. Marquis,"Who's Who in America" 10. "Title Town, USA, Boxing in Upstate New York" published by The History Press was nominated for a 2011 Pulitzer Prize.

External links

Persondata
Name	Baker, Mark
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	27 March 1957
Place of birth	Binghamton, New York
Date of death
Place of death