Alexander Cartwright (1820-1892) is widely regarded as one of the fathers of modern baseball. Cartwright was a founding member of the New York Knickerbockers, which played in the first recorded game of baseball in 1846. Cartwright made a very significant contribution to an 1845 published codification of baseball, formalizing many rules and regulations and including innovations such as three outs per inning, distances between bases and a definition of foul territory. Cartwright was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1938. This lovely and historic item is a high quality letter-press copy of an original letter signed by Alexander Cartwright, and dated December 17, 1880. Measuring 8 1/2" x 10", the letter is on rice paper printed in brown ink, and some expected light creasing only adds to a very authentic overall appearance. Condition is NRMT.