First edition of "Chadwick's American Game of Base Ball" by Henry Chadwick (1868, George Munro & Co. New York). This book, commonly referred to as the "The Chadwick Book," is one of the earliest treatises on the game of baseball and the most authoritative work of its time. It is also rare. This is just the fourth we have ever offered and there are approximately only 25 examples known, many of which reside in libraries and institutions.

The book's complete title, as listed on the title page is "The Game of Base Ball. How to Learn it, How to Play it, and How to Teach it." A woodcut illustration of Henry Chadwick appears on the facing page. At the time, there was no one in America more qualified to write this book than Henry Chadwick, known today as "The Father of Baseball." Chadwick was a sports writer and one of the first journalists to cover the emerging sport of baseball during the 1850s. He not only helped to popularize the sport, but also took an active role in its evolution by serving on various rules committees. The 180-page book features diagrams, rules, instructions, summaries of many of the most important past games, and profiles of top clubs and players. This was an indispensable volume for any player at the time and today is considered one of the most important baseball books of the 19th century.

The hardbound book displays heavy wear to the exterior boards, commensurate with its age and former use. As a result of the wear, the gilt-stamped title, reading "Chadwick's American Game of Base Ball" can only be seen upon close examination. There is minor separation along the spine, but both covers remain attached to each other, and all the pages remain firmly bound. Light foxing affects some of the pages, but overall they remain clean and bright. A name (most likely a former owner of the book) and a notation, "H. O. Sibley/Ballist Base," are written in pencil on the reverse of the last page. In Good to Very Good condition overall but still a fine representative copy of this important, early baseball volume, which is a requisite for any advanced baseball library.

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