[Rarebooks] FS: BASE-BALL GUIDE FOR 1868 including how to play the game on ice

[Charles Agvent]

KELLY, M. J. THE BASE-BALL GUIDE FOR 1868. CONTAINING THE RULES OF THE 
GAME, WITH OBSERVATIONS ON CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES, "MUFFIN" MATCHES AND 
THE GAME ON ICE. FULL DIRECTIONS FOR SCORERS, FORMATION OF CLUBS AND 
SELECTION OF NINES. THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AND A LARGE QUANTITY OF 
OTHER INSTRUCTIVE AND ENTERTAINING MATTER. New York: Robert M. De Witt, 
(1868). First Edition. Small octavo (4" x 6-3/8") in original gold wraps 
depicting a pitcher in uniform on the front about to throw a ball; [iv], 
9-100 pages, plus covers. A very early rule book, illustrated with a 
frontispiece full-page engraving of two teams playing on a field as well 
as a diagram of a baseball field and a few small engravings in the text. 
Includes the constitution and the by-laws "founded chiefly on those of 
the Active Base-Ball Club of the City of New York." Also contains rules 
for players and umpires, including a prohibition on betting, as well as 
descriptions of the requirements for each position. A very useful index 
follows. The author was the secretary for the New York Base-Ball 
Association. An old dampstain affects most of the page throughout but is 
very light and hardly noticeable. The front wrap has a small chip in the 
upper right corner slightly affecting the price, and there are two small 
pieces lacking from the spine. The rear cover is detached but present. 
Someone long ago used three pieces of adhesive tape to keep the rear 
cover on, and while those pieces are no longer present there is a slight 
shadow visible. The front cover is on securely. Still a Very Good copy 
of a scarce and important baseball book. (#013614)        $4,500.00

See an image here:

http://home.ptd.net/~chagvent/013614.jpeg

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