[Rarebooks] FS: First Novel to Feature the Sport of Baseball, 1869
Charles Agvent
agvent at erols.com
Wed Nov 2 14:34:42 EST 2005
Another scarce early baseball item from our latest list which can be viewed at
http://www.erols.com/agvent
EVERETT, William. CHANGING BASE; OR, WHAT EDWARD RICE LEARNT AT
SCHOOL. Boston: Lee And Shepard 1869. First Edition. Small octavo
(4-1/8" x 6-7/8") in original purple cloth with a gilt spine
decoration consisting of a banner, a bat, and a ball; [5], 6-282
pages. THE FIRST NOVEL PUBLISHED TO PROMINENTLY FEATURE THE SPORT OF
BASEBALL. Illustrated with four full-page plates, including one
action depiction of a baseball game. Published the same year as the
first professional team was born, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, this
book for young readers follows its hero through school where he joins
a "base ball club," otherwise known as "the nine." Although baseball
had been mentioned previously, though sparingly, this was the first
book where the infant sport was central to the story. It wasn't until
15 years later (1884) that a book was published that was entirely
devoted to baseball (OUR BASE BALL CLUB AND HOW IT WON THE
CHAMPIONSHIP.) There are some fascinating references in CHANGING BASE
to the still evolving sport, including the "new" rule of calling
balls and strikes. The author, who was elected to Congress in 1893,
was the son of a more famous politician, Edward Everett, best known
for giving the "other" speech at Gettysburg. Significantly cocked,
but tight and still Very Good. $1500.00
--
All books subject to prior sale. Cash with order; institutions may be billed.
Postage additional: $7.00 for the first book, $3.50 each thereafter. Overseas
postage billed at approximate cost. Pennsylvania residents must add 6% sales
tax. Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover accepted. Books may be
returned within 7 days of receipt for any reason provided they are in the same
condition as sent and prior notice is given. Please insure returns for their
full value. We carry a diverse stock with major specialties including Modern
and 19th Century Literary First Editions, Autographed Books, and Limited
Editions Club books. We are proud to be members of the Antiquarian Booksellers
Association of America (ABAA) and the International League of Antiquarian
Booksellers (ILAB) as well as the International Autograph Dealers Alliance
(IADA), the Manuscript Society, and the Universal Autograph Collectors Club
(UACC). Please feel free to contact us with any wants or offerings. Thank you.
CHARLES AGVENT
291 Linden Road
Mertztown, PA 19539-8750
Voice/Fax: 610-682-4750
agvent at erols.com
Visit our home page: http://www.erols.com/agvent
More information about the Rarebooks
mailing list