Base Ball In Cincinnati (one of 500 numbered copies of the first edition)

Cincinnati: Privately Printed, 1907. Limited ed. Cloth. Near Fine. Ribbed white cloth lettered and decorated in red with design of original 1869 Red Stockings player front panel (also seen non grey, no priority known but the white cloth is rather less common). 251 pp. Illustrated with numerous photographic plates of rare images of teams, ball parks, executives and players. The subscription edition of 500 copies numbered copies (this being No. 493). Many of the photographs appearing here, including both 1868-1869 images and also images of original players in later years taken especially for this work), are still found nowhere else. After outlining early, pre-professional baseball in and around Cincinnati, this work explores the building and dominance of the first openly professional team, the Red Stocking Base Ball Club, a team so powerful that it went undefeated from late 1868, through the entire 1869 season, and half of the following season. Led by one of the Father's of Baseball, manager and center fielder Harry Wright and his brother, star shortstop George Wright, this legendary group rolled over all opposition until losing an extra inning game to the Brooklyn Atlantics in June, 1870. Final section covers Cincinnati ball from 1876 to 1908. A cornerstone of any serious baseball library. A tight example, bit of light fingering to the front and spine cloth. Interior bright and clean.