Offered here is a first-edition, hardcover copy of The American Boy's Book of Sports and Games, a book that was published in 1864 by Dick & Fitzgerald in New York. Interestingly, this particular copy was originally offered through pioneering Hall of Famer George Wright's sporting goods store in Boston, MA. This is evidenced by the blue "Wright & Ditson" store label affixed to the inside front cover. Wright and his partner, businessman Henry Ditson founded their company in 1871 and operated until the business was sold to Spalding in 1891 following Ditson's death. The book boasts more than 600 pages covering various participation sports played across the country, and includes an early discussion covering the newfound pursuit of “base-ball,” complete with a chromolithographic plate by W. Dickes that is considered to be the first-ever color illustration of the new sport. It includes brown cloth covers with gold and black lettering and shows its original price of $2.00, also in gold, across the front. A considerable amount of wear has occurred to the front and back covers, as well as the book's spine, but the pages remain remarkably intact. This should be considered an essential, historical volume for the collection of any serious baseball hobbyist.

Note: description for this item has been updated to reflect provenance from Wright & Ditson, Hall of Famer George Wright's sporting goods establishment from 1871-1891.