Condition: Very good-. First edition of this book of games for American boys in the 19th century, with an early description of baseball. The Play Ground - Baseball Rules & Illustration - 1866. The Play Ground: Or, Out-Door Games for Boys: A Book of Healthy Recreations for Youth, Containing Upwards of a Hundred Amusements, Including Games of Activity and Speed; Games with Toys, Marbles, Tops, Hoops, Kites, Balls; and Full Instructions in Archery, Cricket, Croquet, and Base Ball. Splendidly Illustrated with 124 Wood-Cuts. Author unlisted. New York: Dick & Fitzgerald, 1866. Quarter-leather binding with colorful pictorial boards. Has information about tennis and golf, but the highlight is eleven pages dealing with baseball including instructions for players, several player illustrations, a schematic of a baseball diamond, and the "Rules and Regulations Adopted by the National Association of Base-Ball Players, held in New York, December 1863. Most notably, it includes a thorough discussion of "Base-Ball," illustrated with woodcuts and diagrams. With instructions for measuring off and preparing the ground; styles of batting and grips; outfielder positions and duties; description of all equipment; and the Rules and Regulations adopted by the National Association of Base-Ball Players in New York, December 9, 1863. This book was published shortly after the first work devoted exclusively to baseball, but before the formation of national leagues and the subsequent first history of the sport. Numerous variants of this edition have been documented, with no priority established: this copy contains 5 pages of ads at the front and 18 pages of ads at rear. THE PLAY GROUND captures the point of baseball's transition from popular amusement, with numerous regional variants, to the universal, codified and standardized national pastime. 7'' x 4.5''. Publishers original pictorial boards, leather spine. 124 woodcut illustrations. Previous owners signature. Some scuffing to extremities. Interior clean and bright. Protected by Brodart. Extremely rare.

Photos are of the actual item being sold and they are to be considered part of the description. We consider all offers in relation to current market values and we try to respond almost immediately. Your purchase will be packed carefully and shipped quickly. We are available 7 days a week. Please see other listings for books and collectibles that might be of interest to you and follow North*Star*Collectibles as we post new items every week.

Thank you for looking and come again soon,

North*Star*Collectibles