C. 1835 CHILDREN'S BOOKLET "THE LITTLE KEEPSAKE" BY SIDNEY BABCOCK (NEW HAVEN, CT) WITH EARLY DEPICTION OF "A GAME AT BALL"

From a series of pocket sized children's booklets produced by Sidney Babcock of New Haven, Ct. in the 1830’s, The Little Keepsake: Or easy lessons, in words of one syllable includes short entries and illustrations of various childhood interests and pursuits. The offered booklet, produced around 1835, features an interesting illustration and description titled "A Game At Ball."

The illustration shows children playing what appears to be cricket with text on the opposite page that reads, "A GAME AT BALL. Here is a game at ball. We can see from the boys who are at play; but there are a few more in the game that we can not see. One stands with a club to knock the ball when it is thrown to him. -- One is back of him that strikes, to catch the ball if he does not hit it with the club; and two stand some ways off, to catch it when he knocks it near them. Fine sport."

This is an extremely early published account of the burgeoning popularity of the English sport on American soil that would adapt and evolve into the game of baseball as we know it today. The multi-page booklet measures 2” by 3-1/2” and is about VG condition.