Lot # 2458: 1858 The Baseball Polka Sheet Music - Earliest Known Baseball Sheet Music

Exceedingly rare baseball sheet music, titled The Base Ball Polka, published by Blodgett & Bradford (Buffalo) in 1858. This is, according to the Library of Congress, the earliest baseball sheet music. While we cannot state with certainty how many exist, the number is certainly quite small. Aside from the offered example, we have seen only two others in private hands, and the remaining few we know of reside in libraries or public institutions. The design of the cover features a shaded "diamond" with the interior text reading "The Base Ball Polka Composed By J. R. Blodgett of the N. B. B. C." The "N. B. B. C." stands for the Niagara Base Ball Club" and J. R. Blodgett was a member of the Niagara club. As noted in print on the cover this music was "Dedicated by The Niagara B. B. Club of Buffalo To the Flour City B. B. Club of Rochester N. Y." The game between the Niagara Base Ball Club and the Flour City Base Ball Club in 1858 is well documented, as is the banquet given to the Flour City club by the Niagara Club following the match. It was at that banquet, that a copy of The Base Ball Polka was given to each member of the Flour City club as a commemorative parting gift. A newspaper article exists which chronicles the banquet and specifically makes note of the sheet music being given to the members of the Flour City Base Ball Club. This is an extremely significant historical piece dating from the birth of organized baseball and one that quickly led to the popularity of baseball music, both in song and composition, which continues unabated in our present time. The sheet music (10.25 x 13.25 inches) displays both light creases and foxing. The spine displays numerous tears and several tiny holes from having once been bound in an album. In Good condition overall.