1881 Football Team Tintype (Identified)

At just over a half-plate in size, this tintype measures 5 ½” by 5 1/8” and is set into in a mat frame measuring 7 ½” square. Football tintypes are far from common, and this particular example is of a rare size and is in near mint condition. This is the only example we have come across of a football team pictured on a tintype, and it is unusual and fortunate that the sitters are identified. Pictured is the 1881 Dorchester (Massachusetts) High School team. The owner of the photo, Walter R. Wheeler, signed and dated the front right upper corner of the mat. Wheeler was in the class of ’83, as were his teammates Thomas Fox and George I. Robinson, Jr. On the reverse side is written, “Foot Ball Eleven D.H.S. 1881”, as well as the names of the team members, their position by location on the field (what a great thing to have included) and a commentary on their record.  “We played five games - were not defeated – two of the games were draw and one the other side backed out”. 

An important piece that offers a unique photographic window into early American football. 

This is certainly one of my favorite early pieces in our collection.  
 

Sources utilized in researching this photo included: 

School document 22-1883, Annual report of the School Committee of the City of Boston 1883 (Published 1884).
 

Smith, Melvin I. (2008). Evolvements of Early American Foot Ball: Through the 1890/91 Season. Author House, Bloomington, IN.