Extremely rare two-volume set of The Card (1755), having the first surviving mention of the word "Base-Ball." First edition was written by John Kidgell and published in London by J. Newbery in 1755. Most importantly, this time frame proves the fact that the game of baseball was originally created in Great Britain and was a derivative of cricket. The term "Base-Ball" is used in this work on Page 9 of Volume I: "...and the younger Part of the Family, perceiving Papa not inclined to enlarge upon the matter, retired to an interrupted party at Base-Ball". According to David Block'sBaseball Before We Know It, (Lot comes with a copy of the book) the same John Newbery had published a previous book (1744) containing the word "Base-ball" but there are nosurviving copies. Bindings are in modern calf with red and green morocco labels, with two plates including hand-colored frontispiece. Overall very good. The first known copy of as important a historical baseball work as Hy Turkin's firstBaseball Encyclopedia, Ball Fourby Jim Bouton orCasey at the Bat by Thayer.