Indian Club Trophies / 1850s / Henry Thomas Harrison

 

A fascinating and extremely important collection of Indian Club trophies awarded to "Professor" Henry Thomas Harrison, including an engraved belt buckle, awarded to Harrison for "his unrivalled powers in yielding the Indian Clubs, at the Grand National Fete in Hollands Park, 5 & 6th August 1852", another belt buckle engraved with an image of Harrison wielding the Clubs, taken from the Illustrated London News 14th August 1852 and inscribed as such, and three badges, presumably awards in the form of Indian Clubs, weights and dumb-bells, one gilded, with a pin attachment to be worn, and a very early sepia photograph on its reverse of Harrison. This is a very rare and early collection.

In the mid-19th century, a fitness revolution was underway. As industrialization took hold and urbanization expanded, people in Europe and America began seeking ways to maintain physical health (see related post dated May 31, 2016, Halsted’s Patented Exercise Chair, 1844). One of the most popular forms of exercise to emerge during this time was the use of Indian Clubs.  Known for promoting strength, agility, and coordination, these clubs captivated fitness enthusiasts of the Victorian era. At the heart of this movement was the charismatic Professor (likely an honorary title) Henry Thomas Harrison, whose remarkable strength and skill with Indian Clubs made him a household name on both sides of the Atlantic. Harrison’s exploits were frequently covered in period newspapers and periodicals.

In 1849, when Harrison first encountered Indian Clubs, his physical abilities were unremarkable. However, what set Harrison apart was his dedication to training and his belief in the power of progressive loading. By gradually increasing the weight of the clubs, Harrison was able to make substantial gains.

In a three year period, Harrison advanced from swinging modest 7-pound clubs to handling 37-pound clubs with ease—and eventually, hefting clubs weighing 47 pounds. His rapid progress not only demonstrated the effectiveness of this form of training but also cemented Harrison’s status as a pioneer of modern strength training.

Harrison was more than an athlete; he was a showman, performing incredible feats of strength for captivated audiences. In Victorian Britain, public displays of physical prowess were popular, and Harrison’s abilities with the Indian Clubs earned him immense recognition. Harrison’s performances in music halls and public venues weren’t merely demonstrations of strength; they were spectacles that fused fitness with entertainment, laying the groundwork for the later success of figures like Eugen Sandow, the father of modern bodybuilding, three decades later.

As a result of Harrison’s public demonstrations Indian Club exercises became popular in Britain and were widely promoted for their health benefits, improving flexibility, coordination, and posture. Queen Victoria took note of Harrison’s abilities, cementing his status as a key figure in Victorian society.

Schools and homes across Britain adopted Indian Clubs as part of daily exercise routines, and gymnasiums throughout the country featured them prominently. Harrison’s influence extended into nearly every corner of Victorian society, making physical fitness a cultural priority.

Harrison didn’t just perform for crowds—he also sought to educate the public on physical fitness. In the late 1850s, he opened a gymnasium in London, where he taught Indian Club exercises, as well as boxing and dumbbell training. His influence spread through the publication of training manuals, such as Indian Clubs, Dumb-bells and Sword Exercises, which made his techniques accessible to the masses.

A very rare CDV, (c. 1858 -1861), highlighting the exercise equipment popularized by Harrison

Harrison’s influence didn’t stop at the British Isles. His meeting with American entrepreneur Sim D. Kehoe (who sought out Harrison) in 1861 proved to be pivotal. Inspired by Harrison’s demonstrations, Kehoe introduced Indian Clubs to the United States, sparking a fitness trend that would spread throughout gyms and physical education programs across the country.

Sim D. Kehoe’s introduction of Indian Clubs to the U.S. in the 1860s marked the next chapter of Harrison’s legacy. Kehoe authored a training manual, The Indian Club Exercise, published in 1866, which popularized both light and heavy club exercises—techniques heavily inspired by Harrison.

Indian Clubs soon found their way into American gymnasiums and colleges. In 1904, they were featured as part of the gymnastics events in the Olympics, further cementing their place in the history of fitness. Harrison’s contributions to the world of physical culture resonated far beyond his active years, inspiring the next generation of fitness proponents and enthusiasts and shaping the physical culture movement that swept through Europe and America.

It is very likely that none of us would have Indian Clubs in our sports (or folk art) related collections if it weren't for Henry Thomas Harrison.

Significant And Early Princeton Style 4-Attachment Head Harness c. 1897 - 1900

 

The Princeton Head Harness, a helmet type commonly produced by major sporting goods manufacturers between 1912 and 1929, is reconsidered with this unique example, which may date back as early as 1897—over a decade earlier than one would previously have assumed. Initially, our research suggested the helmet was manufactured around 1900. However, after further handling and extensive investigation, we now believe it could date to as early as 1897. It is the earliest known example of the 4-attachment Princeton style helmet and one of the earliest models of any known football harness.

 

This helmet challenges the conventional timeline of helmet evolution. Well-worn and featuring numerous period repairs, it exemplifies early helmet construction. The use of lightweight, thin, flexible leather, along with a well-ventilated design—featuring punched holes in the ear pieces and across the body—demonstrates both functional and innovative craftsmanship. The padding consists of a hair-stuffed crown and fine fiber or straw-stuffed ear pieces. Though the manufacturer remains unknown, the very early construction materials, techniques and craftsmanship is comparable to early designs like the Spalding No. 15 or 25 from 1894 (designed primarily for the protection of one or both ears) (1894 appears to be the first year in the introduction of the head harness, in this case as ear protection) (see note 1 at the end of the post).

 

Similar to the Spalding No. 15 or 25, this head harness includes punched ventilation holes in the ear pieces and forehead straps; although a 3 inch section of leather has been replaced at the forehead—likely due to damage from years of use. This design may represent an intermediate in harness evolution, potentially bridging gaps between the Spalding No. 25 and subsequent models.

It’s also possible that this helmet corresponds to the Spalding No. 40 Chicago Style Harness, advertised in 1897, though no illustrations of that model exist. 

 

It is plausible that this helmet was an earlier influence to H.B. Conibear's 1901 design of the Chicago head harness. Both designs feature a “floating” crown piece and four points of attachment or strapping, allowing for maximizing ventilation. Given these shared innovations, it seems unlikely that these helmets were conceived of independently. 

There are a handful of early previously unknown head harnesses that have come to light, such as this Princeton style helmet, that are actual physical examples. Other examples from these first years of head harness development may only appear in period photographs, advertisements or articles. In these photographs, the harness style is often difficult to determine. This leaves us with questions relative to their development, their date of manufacture, and their manufacturer.

 In our research, for those interested in football helmet history, we found reference to another 1894 head harness that may describe the earliest version of a four strap spoke helmet. Possibly an early example of a Larwood model head harness. In this instance, this early harness is for both ear and head protection. The 1894 description reads as follows: “The elaborate headgear is made of light watch spring steel, leather straps with lamb’s wool facings and vulcanized rubber. A wide band of leather, with the lamb skin next to the flesh, passes across the forehead to the rear of the head. A center strap, similarly constructed, passes back over the head. From the encircling band are wide, padded straps, which encompass the ears in horseshoe shape and extend well forward to the cheeks. The rubber nose mask, a stiff affair, extending over the mouth and to the chin, is attached to the forehead strap and the cheek pieces. The whole harness is held securely in place by elastic bands under the chin and at the back of the head and neck by elastic bands and buckles.” (See note 2 at the end of the post).

A circa 1904 cabinet card (above), though we only retain a screenshot, provides a definitive photo match in at least three areas with this exact helmet. Additionally, an article published in L’Amérique Moderne by Jules Huret, combining two earlier works from 1904 and 1905 (see note 3 at the end of the post), includes a photograph (below) that appears to depict the same model helmet. If taken during Huret’s attendance at the 1901 Harvard-Yale football game, this could be photographic evidence of a player from either team wearing this specific helmet design. This further supports the theory of its use around the turn of the century.

Original Caption – “A Football Player – Football as played in the United States is an extremely brutal game that requires players to protect their heads, mouths and noses with a helmet made of boiled leather.”

Letters inscribed inside the helmet on the crown pad, though partially obscured and difficult to discern (much more visible when wetted), offer further intrigue. Our best interpretation of these letters suggests acronyms such as KBC/KBO/RBO and PAW/PMW - their significance remains an interesting part of the puzzle.

As the only known surviving example, this early "missing link" head harness represents a crucial piece of football equipment history. 

Note 1 – We have over a half dozen advertisements and articles showing that the Spalding 15 and 25 were being manufactured, sold and used in play in 1894. Two illustrations, both from October, 1894 are shown. 

Note 2 – Illustration from October, 1894 of the described head harness

Note 3 -  L’Amerique Moderne  by Jules Huret , an illustrated edition that combined two earlier publications by the same author, En Amerique - De New York a la New Orleans, 1904, and En Amerique - De San Fransisco au Canada, 1905.

Rare 1914 Princeton University Yearbook / Photo Album /Hobey Baker

 Hobey Baker was an exceptional and nationally recognized athlete, playing both varsity hockey and football at Princeton. He played freshman baseball but was not allowed to join the varsity team, as students were only allowed to play up to two varsity sports. After Princeton, Baker played for the St. Nicholas Hockey Club in New York City. He was a member of three national championship teams; football in 1911 and hockey in 1912 and 1914. Hobey was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame at its founding in 1945, (the first American) and was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame as a charter member in 1973. In 1975, Baker was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, becoming the only person in both College Football and College Hockey Halls of Fame.

This is a very rare, complete, 1914 Princeton leather bound yearbook / photo album, in great condition. This album has no less than eight or nine photos with Hobey Baker in them, some  reproduced in this post. Album measures 13” x 9 1/8”.

As we normally do when we have posted numerous blogs related to one individual, we reference past entries rather than repeat much of the same information. Please see blog entries for June 13, 2015, March 21, 2019, June 22, 2021, June 27, 2021 and May 23, 2022.

Full album page with Baker

                          Class of 1914 Freshman Football Team - photo taken in 1910

                                                  1913 Varsity Football Team

                                                     1914 Varsity Hockey Team

                            Class of 1914 Freshman Baseball Team - Photo taken in 1910

                         Senior class photo - Baker is circled on the far right in the photo

Football and Love: A story of the Yale – Princeton Game of ‘94

 

“Football and Love: A story of the Yale – Princeton Game of ‘94” is a fictional blending of romance and the 1894 Yale – Princeton football contest, published in 1895. This is a scarce book and we haven’t seen another example. We have however seen several copies of a smaller promotional broadside advertising this book. One copy is in the Library of Congress, the other, a very faded copy with condition issues has been on eBay. The book exhibits great colors and graphics as well as illustrations throughout. A neat little piece in a category of its own.

Spalding Padded Lace Up Foot Ball Jacket c. 1907

 

Spalding was very late to the game marketing the pictured quilted and padded football jacket. It appears that Spalding manufactured the padded jacket starting in the fall/winter of 1907 to compete with other Canadian or English manufacturers that had already been producing these jackets since the very late 1890s, primarily for Canadian University football teams where they were a common part of the football uniform. These jackets were worn from roughly 1899 to 1910.  

To our knowledge, Spalding never tried to actively market these jackets in the US, although we have seen a fair number of examples of padded jackets being worn by players on teams in the US at the turn of the century, mainly in northern states, from New York to California. Such jackets, particularly in the early years would seem to have made sense and would have been the perfect compliment to padded football pants, providing similar protection.

The evolution away from these jackets and towards sweaters, sew on pads and padded jerseys was already well underway by the time this jacket was manufactured. In fact Spalding was strongly marketing and pushing these other items in their advertising.  Spalding could make considerably more money selling jerseys, sew on pads, sweaters, etc., than it would from football jackets that were as a rule surprisingly inexpensive.  As an example of this, in 1906 we see pads were priced at .50 to 1.00 a pair, shoulder pads 1.00 to 2.50, and sleeveless football jackets selling for between .40 and 1.25, depending on quality.  Such factors account for the lack of existing examples of these jackets. Padded jackets continued to be available for a few more years (despite lack of demand) and were worn by a few Canadian University teams (more than others), likely due to the reuse/recycling of older equipment. One such University that continued to use these padded jackets was the University of Toronto. The photo of the 1907 team illustrates the variety of padded jackets that had existed up to and at the time.    

This Spalding football jacket is in mint original condition. As with all lace up Jackets/vests that we in the hobby see so infrequently, this too is a scarce example, being the only Spalding example known to the hobby or having been seen by major Spalding collectors. It really is a wonderful piece to handle.

                                         1907 University of Toronto Foot Ball Team 

Early And Very Rare C. 1885 Early Leather Football

 Very early c. 1885 football. Balls this early very rarely show up and this is a well used survivor.

A similar example is pictured in Antique Sports Uniforms by Hauser, Turner & Gennantonio.

Ball's circumference is 24" x 26 1/2".

Football / Political Magic Lantern Slides c. 1890s / Early 1900s

 

Reminiscent of the Duke presidential baseball card set where photographs of known politician’s heads are placed on sports bodies. In the case of these five slides pictured in this post the same is true, the difference being that the bodies were etched/drawn and they are c.1890s/1900s football. The slides are numbered and it would be reasonable to assume there were others in the set, although they may not have all been football related.

I am not a political researcher, but one of these slides (number 94) appears to be John Edward Kelly (1852-1933).

We have never seen any other football caricature lantern slides like these. If not one–offs, then they are certainly scarce examples.

Examples of the Duke presidential baseball cards (Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison) that are coming up at auction later this month.