THE PLAY GROUND; OR, OUTDOOR GAMES FOR BOYS
First edition of this book of games for American boys in the 19th century, with an early description of baseball.
Price: $1,800.00
THE PLAY GROUND; OR, OUTDOOR GAMES FOR BOYS
"This game, which is Rounders, or Town Ball, reduced to a system, and governed by scientific rules, is a graceful and invigorating pastime, and bids fair to become to this country what cricket is to England – the national game."
This comprehensive rulebook serves as an instruction manual for such classic childhood games as Baste the Bear, Hook 'em Sniffey, Duck on the Rock, and Teetotum. Most notably, it includes a thorough ten-page 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 5pp. of ads at the front and 18pp 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.
The Object
New York: Dick & Fitzgerald, (1866). Full title: 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. 7'' x 4.5'' Blue quarter cloth with original pictorial boards. 124 woodcut illustrations. [6], 4, [11]-120, [20] pages (complete). Ownership signature in pen to front free endpaper, with 1918 date stamp. Some scuffing to extremities. Scattered faint foxing and touches of soil.
Very good.
The Fine Print
We work hard to meet our ethical responsibilty to describe our material accurately. All items are guaranteed as described and may be returned for any reason within 10 days. Please notify us before mailing a return.
We guarantee the authenticity of our items. All items are original (meaning not facsimiles or reproductions), first editions (i.e. first printings), unless otherwise noted. TPM is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America and upholds their Code of Ethics.
All items subject to prior sale. Domestic orders over $250 and international orders over $500 ship gratis. We use USPS unless otherwise requested. Expedited, overnight, or international shipping, as well as other carriers, may carry additional costs beyond quoted rates. All orders receive tracking information and a direct contact in case of any questions.
We accept all major credit cards, Paypal, Venmo, check, money order, and bank wire. We are happy to accomodate institutional buyers' needs. Sales tax will be added to applicable purchases.
If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your purchase, please contact us. We prioritize our long-term relationships far above any individual purchase, and we want you to love your item as much as we loved cataloguing it.
