[Rarebooks] FS: The First Novel to Prominently Feature the Sport of BASEBALL, 1869
Charles Agvent
chagvent at ptd.net
Thu Jun 10 11:38:29 EDT 2010
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. $1,500.00
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