Rare football rulebook issued for the 1889-1890 season, titled "Foot-Ball Rules and Referee's Book," edited by Walter Camp. The official rules of football were first adopted in 1876, so there are only thirteen rule books that can conceivably precede this edition, if we assume that they were issued annually starting that year. How many of those have survived is unknown, but this is easily the earliest edition we have ever handled. The twenty-five-page softcover booklet, which was published by Wright & Ditson, features the rules of the game, including a diagram of the field, as well as the constitution for the American Intercollegiate Foot-Ball Association. The last few pages feature advertising for Wright & Ditson. The cover displays five separate name stamps of a former owner ("O. M. Curtis"). A few pencil notations appear on the pages and several passages are underlined in colored pencil. There is a heavy vertical fold down the center. 4.5x5.75". The booklet has been professionally bound with leather boards bearing the gilt-stamped name of a former owner ("Ray Byrne, II").