The "Great Match" was a series of three All-Star Games between the best players from the various New York City Clubs and the best players from the various Brooklyn (which was still a separate city entirely) clubs. The rubber match of the three game series was played on September 10th and immortalized on the cover of this issue of Spirit of the Times. The match is considered one of the inspirations behind the eventual creation of the major leagues (of course an interruption by the Civil War slowed down the momentum) and these three games were the first to ever charge admission. The Paper is amazing in that it has the account and one of the earliest known box scores on the cover, perfect for display without having to damage the paper. <p>As for condition, the paper used was far superior to newsprint today and the paper has aged remarkably well. A few light moisture stains some fraying and toning at the edges but whole, intact and very easily legible. It presents VERY nicely and would look amazing professionally matted and framed. There just aren't a lot of Newspapers like this floating around. We actually have some 1850's - 1860's Newspapers from a competitor "Porter's Spirit of the Times" and some have amazing content like accounts and mentions of games in The Great Match as well as other early Box Scores some including the first super star of baseball Jim Creighton, but between condition and the fact that one of the most important Pre Civil War Baseball games is front and center on the cover with a box score makes this a truly special piece.

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