Item 554360
Rare baseball newspaper... Canadian baseball player on the front page...
554360
OFFICIAL (BASEBALL) RECORD, New York, August 25, 1886 This is a volume two issue of a very rare & historically important baseball newspaper, the very first daily sports newspaper dedicated entirely to the national game of professional baseball. This title could well be the most important contemporary record of 19th century professional baseball. Although the masthead reads: "Official Record" the title at the top of pages 2, 3 & 4 reads: "Official Baseball Record".
This issue has a terrific baseball-themed masthead, featuring two crossed bats (barrel handles with 3 painted stripes), a baseball, and a canvas base (see photo).
This issue is replete with baseball news.
The significant feature of this issue is the front page engraving of "Fred L. Wood" with a front page biographical sketch of him beginning: "Above we give the portrait of a promising young player who is well known throughout Canada as a catcher, and is one of the few professionals who claim the Dominion as their birthplace..." (see photos).
The remainder of the ftpg. is taken up with other baseball items including bits headed: "Yesterday's Games" with details of seven games. There is also a column headed: "Diamond Waftings" which gives an interesting variety of little baseball tidbits (see photos for portions).
Page 2 has further baseball tidbits headed: "Diamond Flashes" and "Sparks From the Diamond" with a nearly a full column of the standings within five baseball leagues.
Pages 3 & 4 are entirely taken up with advertisements including an announcement of: "Base Ball at the Polo Grounds...", noting the dates for 12 future games, and the back page features a nice illustrated ad for: "Buffalo Bill's Wild West--The Only Real Novelty of the Century !..." with a print of him and of "Miss Lillian Smith, the California Girl & Champion Rifle Shot." (see photos).
The rarity of this issue cannot be overemphasized. It is suspected this newspaper lasted for less than 15 months, the very first issue dated July 15, 1885 & the last known issue dated Oct. 9, 1886. The first volume saw just 63 issues published, and the second had 150 editions for a total of just 213 issues ever published.
While the first volume was printed on rather high-quality "rag" paper allowing for better preservation, the second volume (1886) was printed on more acidic newsprint resulting in exceedingly few issue remaining to this day as the paper turned brown & fragile rather quickly.
This issue is complete in 4 pages measuring about 10 by 13 inches. Fortunately this issue is in quite nice condition, with some browning at the margins but otherwise in very nice, clean condition.
This issue comes in a protective, acid-free folder for safe keeping (see photo). $93.00
