19th Century Books, Catalogs, etc...

[molenick]

Another book I'm afraid to open.

[bgar3]

Another nice one Michael. One of the things I always liked about that book is that the illustrations always seemed to me to be from an earlier time than the 1885 publication date. I have only seen a couple copies in very nice condition.
Gary, I no longer have my pre “real”baseball , baseball books, but I will post my 1855 first public publication of the Rules later today if I can. My age and my collecting interests are going in opposite directions.

[bgar3]

The first attempt to have consistent rules so that clubs could play each other, was by a few New York clubs, including the famous Knickerbockers They were adopted in 1854, but first public all published in May 12, 1855 Sprit of the Times. This gave all parts of the country access to actual rules to govern the game many had been playing under varying rules. It also included a pretty crude diagram with positions etc. This was a very important step in the spread of baseball a the national game.

[jpop43]

A.J. Reach Sporting Goods, c. 1885-1888

[bobfreedman]

1888

[molenick]

1887 Giants Sketchbook. Essentially a yearbook with a page for each player (including Hall-of-Famers Ward, Keefe, Welch, Ewing, O'Rourke, Connor) and other information about the team.

[ruth-gehrig]

I believe the only printed (non photograph) 1800s baseball item I own.