Earliest piece of baseball memorabilia - Pictures - Pre-1880 only, 18th Century Wins

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by baseballart

This will not be the earliest, but here's an 1867 book Baseball as viewed by a Muffin

Max, please tell us more - I'm dying to learn how a 'Muffin' views baseball

[BigJJ]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Max, please tell us more - I'm dying to learn how a 'Muffin' views baseball

+1

[khkco4bls]

On the cover is a 5 sided lemon peel. I'll post my 6 sided lemon peel baseball later. Anyone ever seen another. Here are photos of the 11 1/2" ball.

[benjulmag]

These are images of what is believed to be a bat used to play rounders (one of the precursors to baseball) in England in 1832. Note how it was intended to be held with only one hand, which is consistent with Peverelly's description of a rounder's bat being in the form of a policeman's truncheon.

[BigJJ]

Look at that homerun stance in 1835 -

[barrysloate]

Corey- according to David Block's research, baseball actually predates rounders.

[benjulmag]

Fair, but I was referring to the "modern" version believed to substantially take shape in the 1840's.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by BigJJ

Look at that homerun stance in 1835 -

Everything posted in this thread is cool, but I really love this 1835 image of a batter.

My humble contribution is this cabinet featuring a very early catcher's mask. Like other items in this thread, this one has been owned by a few members, but I think it's found a long-term resting place:

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Everything posted in this thread is cool, but I really love this 1835 image of a batter.

My humble contribution is this cabinet featuring a very early catcher's mask. Like other items in this thread, this one has been owned by a few members, but I think it's found a long-term resting place:

For some reason I've always loved that 1835 illustration. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to be pitching from 5 feet away though...

[Leon]

Corey- that is a great bat. Thanks for sharing with us. You know, you are the one mainly responsible for this whole memorabilia side, so I am glad you are being more involved lately. I don't collect 19th century anymore since I downsized the collection a bit.....but I did keep one card from the era. Shown many times but still goes well in this thread..

Originally Posted by benjulmag

These are images of what is believed to be a bat used to play rounders (one of the precursors to baseball) in England in 1832. Note how it was intended to be held with only one hand, which is consistent with Peverelly's description of a rounder's bat being in the form of a policeman's truncheon.

[BigJJ]

Incredible items. Great card.
Love the rounders bat and that six peel lemon peel; unbelievable.
The rounders bat may be the earliest surviving bat of any sort in existence - now that my private offer was rejected, I will publically glorify the bat
This is my earliest bat - I believe it to be the earliest, or among the earliest, game-used bats (non-trophy, actually used) that survive to date, c. 1850-1860. Given its large size of 34 inches, heavy weight, and emblems, I believe it was used by a member of a professional club. It's post 1840 as it is thicker than town ball, and it is not a child's bat (as you may know, baseball was, with limited exception, a child and teen sport pre-1840). Wish I can find more on the "E" emblem and "SVS" initials; have done much research but have not been able to find anything. The bat had a vertical grain separation that was repaired by Cliff spectacularly.
Also has a knot in the barrell which I love - players of the era viewed a knot as a positive because of how hard knots are, believing they would hit the ball harder and further.
I would sell the bat, so please feel free to PM if interested - I will even give you an asking price and not make you come up with an offer!
I purchased the bat at the Atlantic City National in 2002; I was told it came out of a house on a large property/farm in upstate New York.

[jpop43]

Great thread...thanks for getting this one started as early equipment and memorabila remain our primary and most enjoyable area of interest.

Here are a few pieces of printed material/images in our collection that fit the pre-1880 criteria.

1. Although just a fairy tale drummed up by the Mills Commission, Abner Doubleday is still very much connected to the mythology of the game. Here is an original Matthew Brady portrait of the Civil War General.

2. Nice, studio posed CDV of a late 1860's-1870's era player.

3. Double paned tin type image of two ball players. One action pose and one seated.

4. Single paned tin type depicting two uniformed players.

5. Program for a day of sports that included Base Ball from Euclid Ohio in 1875

www.dugouttreasures.com

[baseballart]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Max, please tell us more - I'm dying to learn how a 'Muffin' views baseball

A Muffin might look for morning glory, but in 19th century terms, was a name for a fan.

I did recently see an ad for this book in a MA newspaper. As you can see however, the add refers to a "Muffer", which presumably only Mr. Sloate is able to define.

[GaryPassamonte]

Corey- the elaborate painting on the bat is beautiful.

[IronHorse2130]

Originally Posted by baseballart

A Muffin might look for morning glory, but in 19th century terms, was a name for a fan.

I did recently see an ad for this book in a MA newspaper. As you can see however, the add refers to a "Muffer", which presumably only Mr. Sloate is able to define.

I believe a muffin in 18th century base ball lingo refers to a rookie or an inexperienced player, not a fan.

[barrysloate]

The stereotype of the ballplayer in 1867 was that he was rough and tumble and would likely be battered from head to toe due to the roughness of the game. The cartoon illustrations in the book reflect this in a humourous and exaggerated way.

And I should add that the "muffin" was most susceptible to injury, as he was as likely to be hit with a batted ball as he was to catch it.

[baseballart]

Originally Posted by IronHorse2130

I believe a muffin in 18th century base ball lingo refers to a rookie or an inexperienced player, not a fan.

I seem to have got my muffins and cranks confused. I should spend more time reading the books, rather than just looking at the covers. It is interesting the ad notes "muffer" instead of muffin, and I don't recall that reference before.

Max