The Knickerbocker vs. Excelsior match...

Item # 675284

August 28, 1858

PORTER'S SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, August 28, 1858

* Pre Civil War baseball games w/ box scores

A rather famous sporting newspaper, with a sporting-themed masthead, calling itself: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage".
Inside has nearly a full page of baseball reports including games--with box scores--of a dozen games. The most notable report is headed: "Grand Base-Ball Match - Knickerbocker vs. Excelsior". Terrific commentary of this game where: "...the attendance of spectators greater than has hitherto been seen on the Hoboken grounds at any match played there; and we have yet to see a game played with such skill and ability on both sides..." and much more. Excelsior won, 15 to 14.
There is a website specific to this game.
Sixteen pages, some margin tears in the back several leaves not close to the mentioned content, minor foxing, generally good.

AI notes: The August 27, 1858 Knickerbocker vs. Excelsior game was played at the Elysian Fields in Hoboken, a popular venue for early baseball. The Excelsiors, a dominant Brooklyn team, defeated the older Knickerbockers, who had helped codify early baseball rules. This match was part of the growing competitive scene in mid-19th century baseball and reflected the sport’s shift from a gentleman’s pastime to a more serious and widely followed game. The Elysian Fields hosted many key early matchups, making it central to baseball’s development.