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The earliest baseball illustration to appear in any periodical...
The earliest baseball illustration to appear in any periodical...
Item # 675232
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December 06, 1856
(was $1,075) PORTERS SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Dec. 6, 1856 This issue of this famous sporting journal features the earliest baseball illustration to appear in a periodical.
When one thinks of the millions of illustrations and photographs of baseball that have appeared in magazines & newspapers over the past 167 years, this issue contains the progenitor: the very first.
This simple illustration, which is actually a 3 by 3 inch diagram, shows the position of the players, and is part of an article: "Base Ball -- The American National Game of Base Ball".
The diagram shows a layout noting the position of the defensive players, including the three "Long Field" players in the outfield, and has the "striker" positioned as well.
The text is terrific, providing a rudimentary explanation of the game to those not familiar. A few bits include: "We have been so inundated with communications in reference to the mode of playing the game of Base Ball...have concluded to give a diagram and the rules...". And then: "The game of Base Ball is generally played by nine on each side. The names of the points and positions of the players can be seen on the diagram...an umpire is chosen on each side, and a referee to decide, when the umpires cannot agree..." and following this is a list of rules of he game, basically those determined by the Putnam Club, but with hopes that: "...have suggested, and shall continue to suggest some innovations on the old rules, which we think may add to the interest of the game--always subject, however, to the decision of a convention of the Base Ball Clubs, which we hope will convene before long to regulate the details of this popular game."
Indeed, a convention would be held about 3 months later and the first printing of the formalized baseball rules would be published in their March 7, 1857 edition.
A key issue graphically detailing the development of baseball over four years before the Civil War.
Complete in 16 pages, 11 by 16 inches, just a bit of foxing, nice condition.
Category: Pre-Civil War
No Longer Available
