Rare And Early Lawrence Football Team Photograph / 1881

In 1880, Phillips Andover Academy played Lawrence High School (Massachusetts) in football (abutting towns), one of the earliest accounts of a public High School fielding a football team. This contest was also recognized as one of the first football games played between private and public high schools in the country.

The teams met again in October of 1881 (the Lawrence team pictured), Andover once again coming away with a win. Both the 1880 and 1881 games were played as the American rugby game, both teams switching to the collegiate football game in 1882. Lawrence was playing only a couple of games a year at this time, common for any team in these formative years.

A wonderful early and rare football photo. Photo without the mat measures  7 1/2” x 9 5/8”.

An interesting aspect to this photo is that many of the team’s players wore pillbox caps, quite rare to see in any early football photographs. Please see our blog entry dated August 9, 2022, for more on the pillbox cap.

Research note: Another photo (not pictured), in the possession of  the Lawrence Public Library (Special Collections) is erroneously identified by them as an 1881 photo of the Lawrence High School football team. It is not labelled or identified as such and they believe that this dating information arose at the time it was donated. As there are several of the same team members in both photos and in the library's photo they are obviously older, we believe their photo to be a year or two later.

Turn Of The Century Princeton Hockey Team / Gresham Poe

 A turn of the century Princeton hockey team photo featuring Gresham Poe, Princeton '02, (middle row, second from the left) that we were lucky enough to pick up. Very similar photo but much larger in size to that used for our March 23, 2014 post, titled "Gresham Poe / Princeton Hockey 1902 / Northampton Hockey Trophy". Both photos share a number of the same players. Having recently added a most interesting comment to the 2014 post, I recommend re-reading that again if you have the time.

We have always had an interest in the six Poe brothers, all of whom played football for Princeton, and have a fair number of Poe related posts in this blog, including those dated: March 23, 2014. October 17, 2017, May 30, 2023, January 22, 2023, December 25, 2020, December 31, 2020, Nov 23, 2014, November 2, 2014, October 26, 2022, December 18, 2021 and February 13, 2014.

Photo measures 9 1/2" x 12". 

Harry Wright / W.F. Davis / Exceedingly Rare American Cricket Team CDVs / September 1868

 

 Once again we diverge from our primary interest of football to delve into other early sports memorabilia, which we pick up occasionally when it crosses our path and offers us a chance to do some research. In this case we post two American CDVs, taken in 1868, as it turns out the only year the photographer was located at the address stamped on the back of the photographs. Pictured are a portion of the “picked twenty-two” American cricket players that played the visiting “All England Eleven”.  We know of no less than 26 American players, inclusive of substitutes available to play the English at Riverside Trotting Park in Allston (Boston), in  late September of 1868. Only two players are identified, William Franklin Davis (played Harvard baseball in 1865 (class of ’67)) and Harry Wright, a well-known professional baseball player- both circled. Two members (George and Charles) of the Newhall clan of American cricket players, of which I believe there were eleven, and George Wright, Harry’s brother are listed on the roster and are likely also in the photos, however not being baseball researchers per se, we would have difficulty making a definitive identification of George Wright. These photos appear to be taken off Essex Street in Salem, in back of a rooming house where “rooms open every evening”.  Each CDV measures 3 7/8" x 2 3/8".

Early (1860s) American cricket team photographs are scarce.

                                  

                                                        Broadside for the Cricket Match

Rare Canvas Football Jacket c.1890s - 1900

The pictured jacket, sometimes referred to as a vest or smock, was a staple of the football uniform from the late 1870s up until the turn of the 1900s.

Initially developed by a Princeton football player, Ledru Smock in 1877, the jacket was intended to make grabbing one’s opponents more difficult.  

Such jackets have become exceedingly rare and are highly collectable. 

See related blog posts dated August  5, 2019 and May 21, 2024 

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