Sports Illustrated In late 19th Century America

Jay G. Williams

According to legend, there lived in ancient times a virgin by the name of Gwenfrewi, who was desired in marriage by Caradog, a prince of Cymru. His request refused, he attempted to carry her off by force. Gwenfrewi fled, pursued by the prince, who in a great rage struck off her head, which bounded down the hill into a vale to a church, and on the spot where it rested a spring of amazing capacity bubbled forth. Gwenfrewi’s uncle, St. Beuno, who was officiating in the church, rushed out, replaced the severed head, and with prayer, restored the virgin to life. Thus was Gwenfrewi Santes born.

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Sports illustrated In late 19th century America

Jay G. Williams

2014 Gwenfrewi Santes Press “Wherever the Head Rolls”

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Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction 1

Archery 8 Badminton 10 Baseball 12 Basketball 25 Bicycling 25 Boat Racing 33 Bowling 37 Croquet 39 Curling 43 Fishing 45 Football 51 Golf 58 Horses and Horse Racing 64 Hunting 72 Ice Skating and Ice Hockey 81 Polo 86 Tennis 91 Track and Field 94

Afterword 96

Appendix 100

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Foreword

Several years ago I began collecting Thomas Nast cartoons and illustrations. Today the collection includes a wide variety of artists who illustrated periodicals during the period from 1855 until 1915. Except for one or two illustrations from the Hamilton College collection, the pictures contained in this volume are all from my own collection.

I should also say that I have not footnoted the information in this book because it all came from Wikipedia and a few other online sources. For a fuller treatment of the history of any of these sports, you can find it online by using any one of a number of search engines.

I should also add that there are several other sports such as lacrosse, soccer, water polo, squash, handball, table tennis, and billiards that are not included because I do not happen to own the appropriate illustrations. A look at Wikipedia will show, however, that like the sports that are discussed, they too came into their own in the late 19th century.

Finally, in the appendix are brief biographies of each of the artists represented in this book.

Jay G. Williams

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Introduction

America, before the Civil War, was a somewhat perplexing place. There had been thirteen more-or-less separate colonies that were founded or at least controlled by the English but that, nevertheless, very much went their own separate ways. Travel was slow and difficult (stage coaches averaged about four miles an hour) so going from Connecticut to South Carolina by land was so difficult a trek that only a few were able to make it. Most of the population lived on farms that were more or less self-sustaining. There were no Walmarts or Home Depots. Capitalism was in its infancy.

The population of areas like New England and Virginia was, in part, well-rooted and descended from early 17th century English settlers, but that group was augmented by Germans and Irish, Welsh and Scotch, Dutch and Scotch Irish who were definitely not English, sometimes even anti-English, in background. In many places the new immigrants vastly out-numbered the old settler families. Not surprisingly, Germans tended to settle in German communities that were most often centered in German churches. The Irish and the Welsh and the others did the same.

So religion, one of the primary ways that Europeans held their nations together, tended, in America, to divide and separate. In Europe, Christianity not only provided the basic ethical system but also holy days and the yearly calendar, architectural masterpieces and places of pilgrimage. Much of the art and music of Europe was Christian in content. The United States regarded itself as vaguely Protestant but there was little similarity between, say, Quakers and Episcopalians. The Irish, who were Catholic, were very much ostracized by all the various Protestant communities. Attempts, like that of Joseph Smith and the Mormons, to create a uniquely American religion, just shattered the unity of the nation even more. Therefore, to unite the nation, other means had to be developed.

Music, both sacred and secular, can contribute much to the social glue. Singing together, even listening together, is one of the great ways to emphasize and produce unity. Although America did not create much classical music before the Civil War, people like Stephen Foster wrote songs that were not only very singable but also related to life in America. Hymn writers like Thomas Hastings also contributed works that tended to draw denominations together.

Art by genre painters like William Sydney Mount, George Caleb Bingham, and Eastman Johnson as well as landscapists of the Hudson River School also helped to promote a sense of national unity. So too did the flood of Currier and Ives prints that adorned many homes. Then, in the 1850’s along came the illustrated weekly that also provided a sense that “This is America.” We shall return to that development a little later.

1 Nevertheless, there were deep divides in America. None was greater than the call to abolish slavery in America, a movement that today we can only applaud. It should be noted, however, that slavery existed in the north until well into the 19th century. In New York State, for instance, slavery finally came to an end in 1827. Moreover, it should also be remembered that “Christian ethics” had allowed slavery and serfdom (which amounts to the same thing) for centuries. The Bible does not attack slavery; indeed, St. Paul seems to accept it without any qualms at all (see the book of Philemon). Some major Christian theologians at the time, such as Charles Hodge of Princeton Theological Seminary, defended slavery, though some others did not. In general, seminaries tried to avoid the issue. Abolitionists were not allowed to speak on many seminary campuses.

So, one can understand why southern slave owners saw no reason to abolish the very basis for their agricultural economy. Why should they give up a way of life that they paid for and that was legal in their state? What right did Yankee abolitionists have to meddle in their political and social affairs? They decided that the easiest way to solve the problem was simply to part company and create two separate nations. No one even bothered to ask the Supreme Court for its opinion about whether a state could legally decide to opt out of the union of states. The Civil War was the result.

The war lasted about four years and caused the death of thousands upon thousands of young men, the wounding of many more, and the destruction of much property. Slaves were freed, but their situation was precarious to say the least. If they stayed in the South they had to endure terrible discrimination and repression. The KKK unofficially ruled. If they traveled north they were likely to experience racism and animosity there too. In other words, the war had very mixed results.

At about this point the reader must be asking, “But what does any of this have to do with the development and depicting of sports?” What’s the point any way?

First, it must be admitted that sports were not totally absent from early 19th century America. Horse racing, a sport that had been enjoyed since ancient times, was quite popular, though the Kentucky Derby was not run until 1875. The Preakness (1873) and the Belmont (1866) had come a bit earlier. There was also boat racing. Indeed the first intercollegiate athletic contest was a boat race held in 1852 between Harvard and Yale. There was also something akin to baseball, a sport that may have connections to the English game of rounders. The rules were quite different from modern baseball, but there were a number of teams that played scheduled games, particularly in the northeast. Amherst and Williams played the first intercollegiate “baseball” game in 1858. There was also something like football, but with very different rules. In some ways, it was more like Rugby that was also becoming popular in America. In 1876, however, Walter Camp of Yale first introduced a new set of rules for football that made it very different from Rugby and led the way to American football.

In any event, what happened after the Civil War was astounding. In the period between 1865 and 1900, old sports were radically transformed and then often professionalized; new sports were devised and popularized. Colleges and universities that, before the Civil

2 War, had no intercollegiate teams at all, now fielded many of them. The American calendar year was transformed into three seasons: baseball, football, and, in the early 20th century, basketball. It also should be noted that all three of these sports are clearly American. We could have played cricket and rugby, but those sports faded away. Baseball became America’s pastime. Football became America’s fall passion. Basketball, the popular sport of winter, was also invented in America by an American, James Naismith, in 1891.

The question is: why did such an expansion of sports happen so suddenly? Why did distinctively American, as opposed to well-developed European, sports take over? Why did colleges and universities suddenly rush into the field of sports? Is there any connection between these sports and either our religious predicament or the rise of capitalism?

It would appear that, consciously or unconsciously, Americans began to understand that sports, like the arts, provide social glue to create one nation. Whether it be in Boston or New Orleans or Seattle, sports become the object of what Latin speakers called religio. That is to say, teams can readily become the object of enthusiasm and commitment and that religio then transcends the “favorite” team to relate the individual to the other cities in the league and to the nation to which they belong. That is made clear by the fact that before games, whether they be collegiate or professional, someone usually sings or plays the Star Spangled Banner. Listening to Kate Smith sing “God bless America” in the seventh inning of Yankee baseball games only underlines the point.

Sports also cohere well with the secular ideology of Democratic Capitalism. Team sports, like businesses, require cooperation, alertness, and understanding of one’s part in the plan of action. The coach is the boss and one must act according to his (or her) direction. There are rules that one must obey, but the object is to win. If a referee misses a foul one commits, it is not considered appropriate to confess it and call it to the referee’s attention. Football, with its bone crushing blocks and tackles, may not seem very “Christian” but it does cohere with the world of business.

Indeed, it may very well be that the rapid growth of intercollegiate athletics took place because consciously or unconsciously educators sensed that sports are a very important way to train people for the world of capitalism. A student who plays a team sport learns to take orders from the coach, obey the rules of the game, play his role to the best of his ability, and WIN. Those who do not play learn to root for their team and to develop an enthusiasm for the whole institution. In other words, sports are very important for college religio.

Of course, not every one agreed. On the next page is a picture produced by Thomas Nast in 1869 calling the idea of college sports into question. What did those intercollegiate contests have to do with the essentially classical education that most colleges provided? Well, Nast might not agree, but colleges and universities found that sports provided good advertising for the institution. In fact, sports are often the only way many hear about an

3 educational institution. Moreover, sports often make students proud of and more committed to their institution. They also draw alumni back to the college.

Thomas Nast “How Student’s Will Study” Harper’s Weekly October 3, 1869

City leaders also find both collegiate and professional teams aid in advertising the city and in bringing in visitors who spend money while in town to watch a game. Again, one of the reasons behind sports may well be financial. The enthusiasm for sports is more

4 than just money making. Sports become a major element in the glue that holds the nation together. While classical Christianity has been attacked for its position on many moral issues (one thinks of the place of women, homosexuality, birth control, etc.) sports have become ever more attractive as an object for religio. There are few religious pictures in Harper’s Weekly but there are many illustrations of sports.

Before we turn to the illustration of American sports, however, we must first say a few words about the world of illustration and how it also changed America.

The Art of Illustration

The art of illustration, of course, was hardly invented in the 19th Century. The Chinese, who printed works long before printing was known in the West, produced a book illustrated with woodcuts in the 13th Century. After Gutenberg invented printing in Europe, many works were illustrated with wood block printing. That was supplemented and partially replaced by etching on copper plates and then by lithography that involved etching on stone. The problem, however, was that for daily and weekly periodicals all those methods had serious difficulties. Wood block printing demanded very hard (usually box) wood and, since boxwood trees never grow very large, pictures could never be very big. Copper etching and lithography were acceptable for books, but were too slow a process for newsprint and most magazines.

Wood Engraving

In the 1840’s in England, however, there was a major breakthrough. The British, and then eventually the Americans, learned to bolt small blocks of boxwood together to create a much larger surface. The blocks were covered with a white slip and the artist could then draw an image that would fill a whole page directly on the boards. The blocks were then disassembled and each engraver worked on a single block. The task was still tedious and exacting, but a large staff of engravers could handle the project. The blocks were then reassembled, the lines connected carefully, and the whole image transferred to a metal plate that could be used for printing a large number of copies. The blocks were sanded down and used again for the next week’s edition.

Very soon this process became popular, not only in the Illustrated London News but in America in Frank Leslie’s Illustrated, Harper’s Illustrated Weekly, The New York Illustrated, etc. Suddenly it was possible to produce large pictures for the reading (or at least browsing) public. All of this was just in time for the outbreak of the Civil War and the need to inform readers about what was transpiring on the battlefield and at home.

It also meant that art in America took a radically new turn. The history of art in America began frustratingly. Most Protestant churches were not interested in religious art; some regarded it as idolatry. There were no Lords with palatial mansions; there was no King or Queen or court. So, most people with an artistic talent either went to England to work or became portrait painters. With the advent of photography even that avenue seemed threatened. Happily, Romanticism and such great writers as Emerson and Thoreau turned

5 people’s thoughts to nature and there arose the Hudson River School of painting that tended to dominate the 1840s and ‘50s.

The art of wood engraving, however, did not lend itself particularly to the depiction of scenic beauty. The pictures were in black and white; the impact of scenic beauty was very difficult to communicate. Even Winslow Homer, who, as a painter and water colorist devoted himself to seascapes, did not do that with his wood engraving. His work often included natural surroundings but almost always focused on people in the foreground.

In any event, the 1850’s witnessed the sudden need for many more artists and engravers. It is not surprising that at first the results were somewhat crude and unimpressive. Gradually, however, matters improved. That artists learned how to create pictures that “worked” as wood engravings and the engravers became more and more adept in preparing the picture for publication. To my mind, the Golden Age of Illustration was already under way. The American appetite for visual images was whetted; the glorious outburst of illustrative art had begun.

Halftone pictures

Halftone pictography was a whole new process involving the use of very small dots to create the image. Instead of a series of lines, as in wood engraving, halftone can create the illusion, at least, of smooth transition from light to dark. Like wood engraving, halftone does require an engraver who now is often named under the picture. Originally, the halftone pictures were also only in black and white. They did, however, mark a clear step forward toward a more naturalistic image. Whether a good halftone is really “better than” a good wood engraving is, to my mind, a matter of taste. In any event, they were cheaper to make and fairly quickly replaced the wood engraving as the primary form of illustration.

Photography

As the use of photography became more sophisticated during the 1890s, photographs began to intrude into the world that had been dominated by wood engraving and then half tones. Most photographs were of a “factual” nature, but one began to find photography used for aesthetic purposes too. Collier’s, for instance, published as frontispieces photos of frozen streams in winter, etc. In any event, photography meant that those artists who emphasized the factual no longer were needed.

Art techniques in the Golden Age

What one hand took away, however, the other hand gave back. Photography also meant that publishers could now reproduce all sorts of artwork for magazines. Artists could employ pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, watercolor and oils to create pictures for publication. Frederic Remington, in fact, was hired to create a painting a month to be used as illustrations by Collier’s. Although many of those paintings exist “independently,” it must be remembered that they were created in order to be seen in

6 print, not on the wall. For the most part, however, we will end our discussion before colored photographs and prints became the norm. Most of the pictures contained in this book are wood engravings done before the turn of the century.

Now let us see how sports of various kinds were depicted in the period from 1865 until 1900. (with a few pictures from the first decade of the 20th century).

7 Archery

Archery, of course, is very old, having been invented in the Upper Paleolithic Era. In most places across the globe it was used for hunting and for warfare. With the rise of firearms, however, the bow and arrow went into decline for much of the 17th and 18th centuries. By 1780, however, archery had returned, now as a sport for the upper class. Women, as well as men, participated actively in the sport. By the end of the 19th century, it fell once more into decline as other sports took people’s interest. As these pictures show, however, it did not die but only became a little less popular.

Thure de Thulstrup “An Archery Tournament, Prospect Park, Brooklyn” Harper’s Weekly July 23, 1881

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A. B. Frost “An Archery Meeting” Harper’s Weekly October 18, 1879

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Badminton

Badminton, like most sports, has had a long and somewhat confusing history. As far back as the 17th century the English played shuttlecock, simply hitting a shuttlecock back and forth. Then in the 19th century British soldiers in India added a net and developed a game called Poona. This was taken back to England and, because it was played at Badminton House in Gloustershire, took on the name “badminton.” In 1899 the All England Open Badminton Championships were first held. In 1934 the Badminton World Federation was founded.

Charles Reinhart Harper’s Weekly Jan. 23, 1892

Although badminton racquets are being used, because there is no net, this looks more like shuttlecock.

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Thure de Thulstrup Harper’s Weekly April 4, 1891

Obviously this game is being played by the upper class and is not expected to produce great perspiration.

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Baseball

There is still a great deal of debate about how baseball came to be, but it seems generally accepted now that it was not invented by Abner Doubleday. Clearly, it has its roots in other, earlier games such as rounders and cricket. In any event, in 1845 Alexander Cartwright developed the “Knickerbocker rules” of the game and by 1846 a game was played according to those rules. By 1858 there was a National Association of Baseball Players. The big developments, however, took place after the Civil War. In 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first professional team; in 1871, The National League was founded. That was followed in 1882 by the founding of the American League. America’s favorite pastime, even without radio or television, blossomed.

W. P. Snyder “A Double Play---First League Game, New York against Boston, April 29” Harper’s Weekly May 8, 1886 Note the baseball mitts, or lack thereof. It is difficult to believe that it was possible to play baseball with just bare hands.

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Gilbert Gaul “Thrown out on second” Harper’s Weekly September 10, 1887

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Thure de Thulstrup “The Winning Run---How is it, Umpire?” Harper’s Weekly Aug. 22, 1881

Here the catcher’s mitt is literally just a glove. The catcher’s and umpire’s chest protectors look pretty minimal too.

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Charles Dana Gibson “The Baseball Season Opens” Collier’s May 15, 1909

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A.B. Frost A Book of Drawings Colliers 1904

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“American Baseball Players in England” Harper’s Weekly Sept. 12, 1874

In this picture the Boston Red Stockings are playing the Philadelphia Athletics in England. Although today baseball has caught on in Japan and Central American countries, it was never really adopted in Europe.

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Charles Dana Gibson “Two Strikes” Print 1904

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Charles Dana Gibson “Fanned Out” Print 1904

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W. P. Snyder “A Collegiate Game of Baseball” Harper’s Weekly August 31, 1889

It would appear that the ladies in attendance are far more interested in talking to each other than watching the college game that is being played before them.

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Sol Eytinge “Baseball in Blackville---The White Stockings versus the Black Legs” Harper’s Weekly July 27, 1878

During the 1870s and early 1880s Sol Eytinge created a number of Blackville pictures that were very popular. Although they would probably be considered racist today, his aim seemed to be to draw humorous, not critical pictures. It should be noted, however, that it took much too long before Afro-Americans could play baseball professionally with white players.

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E. W. Kemble “The Game is On” Collier’s July 20, 1912

Note that by 1912 mitts have become standard equipment.

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Thomas Nast “The Humors of the Game” Once a Week July 15, 1893

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Basketball

It is not surprising that 19th century pictures of basketball are few and far between. The game was only invented by Dr. James Naismith in 1891. The first public game was not played until 1892. Originally the game used peach baskets fastened to the walls and soccer balls. Nevertheless popularity of basketball soon became great, particularly because it was taken up by the YMCA and spread widely. It became America’s most popular winter sport.

Bicycling

The history of the bicycle may date back to 1493 when it is said that a pupil of Leonardo da Vinci invented one. A more fruitful invention occurred in 1817 when Baron Karl von Drais invented a velocipede that could be propelled by the rider’s feet on the ground. The first pedal operated bike, however, was not built until 1863. Like the one pictured on the next page the pedals moved the front wheel directly and that made steering somewhat difficult. That was followed in the 1870s by the high-wheel bicycle that moved much faster but was very dangerous. One major bump could mean that the rider fell, often injuring himself severely. Women, for the most part, did not ride such bicycles. When “chain bicycles” were introduced, women began riding in earnest.

In any event, in 1869, Winslow Homer, in an illustration welcoming the New Year, thought it appropriate to introduce a velocipede as a symbol for what is new for 1869. Although most roads remained unpaved for some time and the unevenness produced more than one mishap, the bicycle became very popular for both private enjoyment and public competition.

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Winslow Homer, ”The New Year---1869” Harper’s Weekly Jan. 9, 1869

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Thure de Thulstrup “Wheeling on Riverside Drive” Harper’s Weekly July 17, 1886

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W. F. Snyder “The Bicycle in America” Harper’s Weekly February 7, 1880

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J. Pennel “”A Race on the Ice” Harper’s Weekly February 26, 1881

The big break through took place in 1879 when the chain driven bicycle was invented. It became even more popular when pneumatic tires were also added to cushion the ride. Women now took up bicycling and bicycle racing became quite popular. Particularly because most roads were unpaved, there still were many accidents.

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A. B. Frost “Somebody Blundered” Harper’s Weekly October 3, 1896

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A. B. Frost “Coasting” Scribner’s Nov. 12, 1898

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A. B. Frost “Well Bunched” Harper’s Weekly August 21, 1897

The first bicycle race took place on May 31, 1868 in Paris, France. The Tour de France, today’s most popular race, was organized in 1903.

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Boat Racing

A.B. Frost “The Start” Harper’s Weekly, July 5, 1884

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Thure de Thulstrup “Viewing the Regatta of the New York Yacht Club” Harper’s Weekly July 4, 1891

The history of Regattas is very old and complex. Racing on water, propelled by either oars or sails, was popular in the early 19th century and became even more popular as time went on. As already mentioned, the first inter-collegiate contest was a boat race between Harvard and Yale. In this picture, the focus is upon the young woman who apparently has become seasick while watching the regatta.

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A. B. Frost “A College Regatta” Harper’s Weekly July 17, 1880

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Bowling

Bowling is an extraordinarily ancient sport dating back as much as 5000 years. It comes in many forms: there is nine pin, candle pin, duck pin, and five pin bowling, but the most popular is 10 pin bowling. The first standardized rules for bowling were created in New York City in 1895, but the oldest bowling lanes in the United States are to be found in Roseland Cottage in Woodstock, Connecticut and date to 1846. It is clear from both these pictures that women took an active part in the sport of bowling.

C.G. Bush “A Ten-Strike” Harper’s Weekly August 28, 1869

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Frank O. Small “At the Bowling Club---Bowling for a ten strike” Harper’s Weekly March 19, 1892

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Croquet

Winslow Homer “Summer in the Country” Appleton’s Journal, July 10, 1869

No one is quite sure how croquet began. Some think it came to England from France and was played as Pall Mall in the 17th century. Others argue that it came to England from Ireland in the 1850s. Wherever it came from, the rules of the game were first published by Isaac Spratt in 1856. In 1865 the Newport Croquet Club was founded in Rhode Island. By 1868 the All England Croquet Club had been created in Britain.

Women adopted croquet as a very popular pastime but when lawn tennis was “invented,” croquet declined somewhat in popularity. In 1900 Croquet became an Olympic sport but was not retained by the Olympic Board.

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” C. B. Burns “The Game of Croquet” Harper’s Weekly September 8, 1866

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Harper’s Weekly August 9, 1873

Croquet is for both the old and the young. It can be played just for fun or as a serious sport.

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Thure de Thulstrup ”National Croquet Tournament” Harper’s Weekly August 28, 1886

Here we see croquet as a serious sport. Generally speaking, however, it remained for most people as a family game. Families owned a croquet set that could be put up in the back yard. The dimensions of the croquet court therefore varied.

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Curling

Curling is a Scottish sport that was already played in the Middle Ages. It was brought by Scots to Canada and the United States. In 1994 it became an Olympic sport.

Thure de Thulstrup “Curling” Harper’s Weekly February 6, 1886

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“Curling or Bonspiel” Harper’s Weekly January 22, 1870

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Fishing

A. B. Frost “A Two Pounder” republished in a collection in 1914

Fishing is, of course, a very ancient practice; by the mid 19th century, however, it was often engaged in simply for enjoyment. Fishing gear was improved and many “got away from it all” by going to their favorite fishing spot. A. B. Frost, more than any other artist, captured this form of relaxation in his many illustrations. Before him, however, one must admit that Homer also did his part.

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Winslow Homer “Waiting for a Bite” Harper’s Weekly August 22, 1874

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A. B. Frost “Fishing off Long Point” republished in 1914

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A. B. Frost “Fishing for Striped Bass in the surf on the New Jersey coast” Harper’s Weekly November 5, 1882

48 Frederick Remington “Spring Trout Fishing in the Adirondacks” Harper’s Weekly May 25, 1890

Remington is known primarily as an artist depicting the Old West, but he was born in Canton, N.Y. and spent much time hunting and fishing in the Adirondack Mountains.

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Frederic Remington “Her First Muskallonge” Harper’s Weekly October 6, 1888

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Football

Winslow Homer Harper’s Weekly August 1, 1857

Mob games, like the ones pictured above and below, had been played in America for some time, often between classes at universities like Harvard. There seem to have been few rules, although such contests bore some relationship to rugby.

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Winslow Homer, Holiday in Camp---playing football” July 15, 1865

Homer also depicts a very rough, chaotic game played with a round ball. Truth to tell, it appears more like a riot than a game.

It was not until 1875 that Walter Camp at Yale developed a whole new set of rules that limited teams to eleven players, introduced “downs” and many other features of the modern game. Among the students who played football under Camp was none other than Frederic Remington. The following pictures were published by him in Harper’s Weekly and reveal many of the changes that had taken place. As yet, however, there were still no helmets and few other forms of protection.

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Frederic Remington “A Practice Game at Yale by the Champion Eleven” Harper’s Weekly November 17, 1888

Five years later, Remington published another set of pictures of the game. Helmets are still missing, but there are visible kneepads.

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Frederic Remington “A Day with the Yale Team” Harper’s Weekly November 18, 1893

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Thure de Thulstrup “Princeton-Yale Football Match” Harper’s Weekly December 7, 1889

It is clear that football on an intercollegiate level was already becoming quite popular. Between 1880 and 1900 the number of college football teams rose from eight to forty- three. The Western football conference was formed in 1895. The first Rose Bowl game took place in 1902.

In 1892, William Heffelfinger became the first person to be paid to play a game. Three years later the first professional game was played. The American Professional Football Association was formed. It was replaced by the National Football League in 1920.

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A. B. Frost “A Game of Football---A Scrummage at the Close” Harper’s Weekly Nov. 5, 1881

It is difficult to imagine that the spectators were allowed to be so close to the playing field.

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Frederick Barnard, “The Ardor and the Joy of the Game of Football” Harper’s Weekly Nov. 19, 1888

Yes, ardor and joy became the typical American response to football. The number of university and college teams became legion, leagues were formed. Saturday afternoon became the time, the local field and then the stadium, the place. Crowds grew and therefore also the stadiums.

57 Golf

As is true with so many other sports, the origins of golf are difficult to determine. We do know at least that it was played in Scotland in some form in the Middle Ages. We also know that the sport was not very well-known outside Scotland until the late 19th century when so many other sports were also becoming popular. In England, by 1880, there were 12 golf courses; by 1887, there were 50; by 1914, over a thousand. In the United States, golf’s popularity grew exponentially. In 1886, two courses were laid out in Sarasota, Florida. By 1910 there were 267 courses. Today, there are more than 10,600.

Among the factors that led to the popularization of golf was the invention of a new and better ball and the development of better woods and irons. One may suspect, however, that the real attraction of golf lay in the fact that a) it is a great way to relate to other business people and clients and b) it is another upper class sport in which women can engage. One may also guess that A. B. Frost’s many golf pictures brought to the attention of many readers the attractiveness of the sport.

A. B. Frost “A Long Putt to Halve the Hole” Harper’s Weekly

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A. B. Frost “Golf” Harper’s Weekly October 12, 1895

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A. B. Frost “Signs of Spring” Life April 26, 1922

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A. B. Frost “On the Seventh Tee” Harper’s Weekly reprint 1914

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A. B. Frost “Temper” Harper’s Weekly 1914 reprint

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E.W. Kemble “Golf at Frogville” Life January 19, 1905

63 Horses and Horse Racing

Thure de Thulstrup, Sleighing in Central Park, New York Harper’s Weekly February 24, 1894

Today horses can be seen competing at racetracks and grazing in fields, but for most of us, they are on the fringe and not near the center of our lives. That was not the case in 1880, for at that time horses not only provided most of the power to raise crops, but also most of the local transportation. There were trains for longer journeys, but there were as yet no automobiles or busses or trucks. Horses, in many ways, made life possible.

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Thure de Thulstrup “An Evening at the Horse Show Madison Square Garden’ Harper’s Weekly November 11, 1892

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Winslow Homer. “Our Watering Places---Horse-Racing at Saratoga” Harper’s Weekly, August 26, 1865

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Thure de Thulstrup Jeu de Barre at the Riding Club, New York City May 21, 1891

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Frederic Remington “Sketches from the Horse Show, Madison Square Garden” Harper’s Weekly, November 15, 1890

Remington, who sketched many pictures of horses in the West, became one of the greatest picturer of horses.

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Frederick Remington “Cross Country Riding” Harper’s Monthly Dec. 1887

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Frederick Remington “A Close Finish” Harper’s Weekly June 18, 1887

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Thure de Thulstrup “On the Race Track---a Handicap for All Ages” Harper’s Weekly October 12, 1889

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Hunting

Hunting and fishing are, of course, among the oldest activities known to humans. Since most ancient times, humans have sought food through these activities. But they were hardly “sports.” They were “work” to make survival possible. Even in early America most hunting and fishing were utilitarian in nature. Some animals were killed for food; some, because they were a danger or a nuisance for the human population.

As the 19th century progressed, more people became urban and actually separated from nature. Getting out into the woods was a way of relaxing and enjoying our natural surroundings. Hunting and fishing as sports became very popular and with their popularity came also illustrations of hunters and fishermen “at work.” Here are a few of them.

A. B. Frost “Steady Now” Harper’s Weekly Sept 27, 1902

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A. B. Frost “Missed ‘Em Agin, by Ginger” Harper’s Weekly December 24, 1892

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A.B. Frost “Hunting Ruffed Grouse in Pennsylvania” Harper’s Weekly Dec. 17, 1881

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A.B. Frost “The Bull Moose” Harper’s New Monthly Magazine Feb. 1887

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Thure de Thulstrup “Sportsmen Convention, Brighton Peace, Coney Island” Harper’s Weekly July 9, 1881

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A. B. Frost “Rail Shooting” Harper’s Weekly September 18, 1896

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A. B. Frost, “Hunting Caribou in Barren New Brunswick” Harper’s Weekly January 5, 1884

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A. B. Frost “Gun Shy” Scribner’s October, 1903

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Frederic Remington “Hunting the Caribou---Shoot! Shoot! Harper’s Weekly January 11, 1890

80 Ice Skating and Ice Hockey

Winslow Homer, “Skating on the Ladies Skating-Pond in Central Park, New York” Harper’s Weekly January 28, 1860

Ice skating was a very popular winter sport in America, even before the Civil War. If illustrations are at all accurate, the skating areas in Central Park were frequently over- flowing with skaters. This is certainly not surprising for skating had been practiced since it was invented perhaps 5000 years ago. The Dutch greatly improved skating by introducing metal blades during the Middle Ages.

Figure skating, however, is not so old. In fact, Jackson Haines (1840-1875), an American, was the first to introduce many of the now familiar spins and other movements common among figure skaters.

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Winslow Homer “Winter---a Skating Scene” Harper’s Weekly January 25, 1868

82 Skating was also a sport adopted by women both old and young.

A. B. Frost “A Skating Party on the Schuylkill” Harper’s Weekly February 28, 1880

83 William L. Jacobs “Shinny On Your Own Side” Harper’s Weekly February 19, 1910

The development of ice hockey had a long and complex history for it was preceded by many sports played on ice. Shinny (pictured above) was one predecessor, but there several others played in Europe and by Native Americans. Some used a ball rather than what we now call a puck.

Hockey, as we now know it, was first played indoors in Montreal, Canada in 1875. The sport became so popular that by 1880 there were several amateur leagues and by 1900 the first professional league had been founded. Both the United States and several European countries adopted the sport, but Canadians regard hockey as their national game. On the next page is an article from 1895 describing and picturing Canadian ice hockey.

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Arthur Heming “Hockey in Canada” Harper’s Weekly January 12, 1895

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Polo

George Gibbs “A Goal in Sight” Harper’s Weekly August 1, 1903

Polo originated in Persia (Iran) sometime around the 6th century B.C.E. It spread both east and west and was popular both in Egypt and China before it became known in Europe. Its name was derived from the Tibetan Pulu, meaning ball. After many centuries of popularity in Asia, it came to Britain from India where the first Polo club was established in 1834. The British then introduced it to many countries including Argentina and the United States.

Changes in the British rules produced in America a much faster game, The first polo match was held in 1876 but whether “the first” took place in New York or in Texas is still a matter of some debate. Because Polo needs a very large field (three times as long and half again as wide as a football field) as well as a number of horses, it has never become the most popular of sports. Still, for those who can play or watch, it is a very exciting and exhilarating sport.

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Thure de Thulstrup “The International Polo Tournament at Newport” Harper’s Weekly September 4, 1886

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Thure de Thulstrup “Polo at Cedarhurst” Harper’s Weekly September 21, 1889

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Major H.W. Halyar “A Cross at Polo” Harper’s Weekly February 16, 1895

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Tennis

E.A. Abby “An Afternoon out at Tennis” Harper’s Weekly September 17, 1887

Like so many other sports, tennis has predecessors from the Middle Ages. Then French monks played a game, Jeu de Paum, in which you hit the ball with your hand. In the 17th century the English developed what is called Real Tennis, a game played on an indoor court with irregular walls.

Lawn tennis, however, was not really invented until sometime between 1859 and 1865 when Major Harry Gem and his friend Augiro Perera combined elements of rackets and pelota to form a game played on a croquet lawn. The game was patented in 1874 and the Lemington Tennis Club was formed in England. Wimbleton was first played in 1877, the first American championship game in 1888.

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J. W. Alexander “A Game of Lawn Tennis, Staten Island Club Grounds” Harper’s Weekly September 24, 1881

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William T. Smedley “The North Meadows, Central Park” Harper’s Weekly October 5, 1889

93 Track and Field

Like most of the other sports, track and field, that encompasses so many different competitions from the hundred-yard dash to the hammer throw, really came of age after the Civil War. It is true that in England The Royal Shrewsbury School “Hunt” had begun in 1831 and represents the first example of modern running competition. In the United States, however, it was in the 1860s that educational institutions began to compete on the track. By 1876 the first USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships were held.

Since the ancient Greeks were known for their Olympic games, these competitions fit well with the classical education that emphasized Latin and Greek that many colleges provided. It is not surprising then that in 1896 the first modern Olympic games were held. The next year, inspired by the marathon competition in the Olympics, the Boston marathon (for men only) was first held.

Thure de Thulstrup “Intercollegiate Athletic Game” Harper’s Weekly June 18, 1881

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“Intercollegiate Athletics” Harper’s Weekly July 28, 1877

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Afterword

It is clear from what we have seen that American sports, and hence American culture, experienced an amazing transformation during the last three decades of the 19th Century. Sports that were in their infancy in earlier times “grew up.” Sports that did not even exist in 1860 had become popularized and professionalized. Intercollegiate athletics became rampant virtually everywhere. So too did high school athletics.

Such changes did not abate as the 20th Century progressed. Radio and then television brought larger audiences and more enthusiasm. Now it is possible to view some professional game every day of the week. Players receive unimaginable salaries. People are willing to pay unimaginable prices for tickets. Sports have become a booming industry.

The effects of this vibrate through the whole society. Many people no longer go to church because their children have to practice whatever their sport is on Sunday morning. Instead of learning the Ten Commandments, they learn the rules of the game. I know of a child who, at age three, was already being given lessons in how to play soccer. The question is: have we gone too far?

We must admit that sports have had positive influence on many. The fact that Afro- Americans can now play all sports and in fact dominate in some of them has done much to improve their status in the United States. The fact that women can also play many intercollegiate and professional sports has also had a positive effect upon our society. For many children, sports give a chance to shine and find a kind of meaning that classroom studies do not offer.

Nevertheless, the overpowering nature of the sports world raises questions for all of us. Is it really good for children to be so organized? On the next page is a picture done by Winslow Homer of children playing “snap the whip” outside their one-room schoolhouse. There is no coach; there is no desire to “win.” What they are doing is just fun. That also seems true for the two more pictures that follow. Training for the world of Capitalism may be useful, but it also can have a numbing effect on both children and adults. Am I, in effect, to play left guard until retirement. Games are products of human imagination. Crossing home plate only matters in that imaginary world. So we must ask, is that the right imagination?

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Plain, simple fun. Capture the Flag or Pompom Pullaway or even just Tag are other options

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Or perhaps some good fun sledding:

F. S. Church “The Time When We Were Boys” Harper’s Weekly January 11, 1893

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Or maybe “swimming”

Thomas Worth “Giving the Chicks a Dip” Harper’s Weekly August 16, 1873

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Appendix

Abbey, Edwin Austin

Born: April 1, 1852 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania

Studied: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Teacher: Christian Schuessele Strong German and French influence on his drawing.

Career: Began publishing illustrations before he was 20 in Harper’s Weekly and Scribner’s Magazine Illustrator on Harper’s staff 1871-74. Illustrated several books.

In 1878 moved to England where he felt most at home. He became a well-known painter of “historical” subjects. Continued to publish in America. Painted a picture of the coronation of King Edward V11 still on display in Buckingham Palace. Elected full member of the Royal Academy in 1898. Could have been knighted, but chose to remain an American citizen. Completed murals for the Boston Public Library in the 1890s. Did murals for the rotunda of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building. When he became very ill, John Singer Sargent, his good friend, and Violet Oakley completed his work in Harrisburg.

Died:1911 in England of cancer.

Alexander, John White

Born:1856 in Allegheny, Pa.

Studied: Munich Royal Academy

Career: 1872-76. Worked as an illustrator for Harpers. Became a well-known portrait and mural painter. It is said that he was the leading American artist of the art nouveau style. Exhibited broadly. He is represented in many university collections.

Died: 1915 in New York City

100 Barnard, Frederick

At this time there seems to be no information available about Frederick Barnard..

Bush, Charles Green

Born: 1842 Boston, Massachusetts

Career: Contributed many small cartoons and occasional covers to Harper’s Weekly and Harper’s Young People. At his death he was lauded as “Dean of American Cartoonists” Died: 1909 in Camden, South Carolina

Church, Frederick Stuart

Born: 1842 in Grand Rapids Michigan

Studied: Left school at age 13 and took a job with American Express in Chicago

1861: Enlisted in the army and fought in the Civil War

1865: Chicago Academy of Design with Walter Shirlaw

1870: National Academy of Design, NYC with Lemuel Wilmarth

Unlike many artists had no interest in studying in Europe.

Career: By the mid 1870s illustrating for a variety of periodicals, especially Harper’s various journals. Became a very popular artist (painting and etching) and exhibited widely. Illustrated Joel Chandler Harris’ Uncle Remus.

Very interested in animals and spent much time sketching at the Central Park Zoo and at circuses. Some pictures are naturalistic views of animals but many are “fantasy images” depicting bear’s dancing, rabbits dining at an outdoor cookout, etc., usually with a very beautiful woman.

Died: 1924

101 Eytinge, jr. Solomon (Sol)

Born: 1833, probably in New York City. Father was an actor of the same name.

Csreer: Worked for Frank Leslie’s Illustrated (circa 1857-1861) In 1861 he joined the staff of Harper’s Weekly but does not seem to have created illustrations until after the Civil War. Knew and helped Thomas Nast get started as an illustrator and cartoonist. In the 1870s and early 1880s became famous for his “Blackville” series.

Illustrated for and became a personal friend of Charles Dickens

Died: 1905 in Bayonne, N.J,

Frost, Arthur Burdett

Born: Jan. 15, 1851 in Philadelphia

Career Dropped out of school and worked as a lithographer. His talent was discovered and he was invited to illustrate Out of the Hurly Burly by Charles Heber Clark. The work was published in 1874. 1875: Was hired by The Daily Graphic and did virtually a cartoon a week, usually for the cover. 1876: Joined the art department of Harper and Bros. Used a variety of techniques from wood engraved cartooning to photo-realistic painting.

Studied: 1877-8 Studied in London; Returned to study with Thomas Eakins and W. M. Chase at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Career: Returned to a life of illustration of both magazines and books. Of the later he illustrated at least 90. Among them was Uncle Remus that made him famous. 1884: Published Stuff and Nonsense a very popular book of humor. He may have been the most prolific magazine illustrator then working.

1906-1914 Lived in France where he spent his time painting. He was hindered, however, by his own color-blindness. 1914 Returned to America because of the threat of war in Europe and a financial depression. Took up illustration again.

Died: June 22, 1928 at the age of 77 in California.

102 Gaul, Gilbert

Born: 1855 in Jersey City, N.J.

Studied: Claverack Military Academy, National Academy of Design with L.E. Wilmarth, Art Students League

Career: Historical illustrator of the Civil War and of Native American life. First trip west in 1876. Studio on New York City but then moved to Tennessee to teach. By 1910 he had moved to Ridgefield Park, N. J.

Died: 1919 in New York City

Gibbs, George F.

Born: 1870 in New Orleans

Studied: Corcoran School of Art; Washington Art Students League

Career: 1899: Illustrator for the Saturday Evening Post Quite regular exhibitions of works. Author and illustrator of many books Painting murals at Girard College

Died: 1942 in Bryn Mawr, Pa.

Gibson, Charles Dana

Born: Sept. 14, 1867 in Roxbury, Massachusetts

Studied: Art Students League, NYC for two years

Career: 1886 published first illustration in Life Worked first for Life but soon his illustrations began appearing in many publications. (Harper’s, Scribner’s, Century, Collier’s) For several years at the beginning of the 20th Century he was hired exclusively by Collier’s.

He is best known for “the Gibson girl,” but produced many rather satirical cartoons commenting on American society. Was thought by many to be the greatest illustrator of his age.

1905: Wrote Sketches in Egypt

103 1918: Became editor and eventual owner of Life.

Died: Dec. 23, 1944

Heming, Arthur

At this time no information is available.

Homer, Winslow

Born: 1836 in Boston, Mass.

Studied: Did not go to college or art school but apprenticed with J. H. Bufford in lithography. Later, studied painting briefly with Frederic Rondel in New York City in 1861.

Career: From about 1857 until 1875 he worked as a free lance illustrator for Harper’s Weekly and a variety of other periodicals. Then he concentrated on painting and became one of America’s foremost artists in both oils and water colors. He lived in New York City but in 1881-2 lived in a fishing village on the east coast of England. When he returned he moved to Prout’s Neck, Maine. He also took trips to the Adirondacks and the Bahamas to paint.

Died: 1910 in Prout’s Neck

Jacobs, William L.

Born: 1869

Studied: Academie Julian, 1893-99; Academy Colarossi

Career: Illustrator for several periodicals

Died: 1917

Kemble, Edward Windsor

Born: 1861 in Sacramento. California

Studied: Self-taught

Career: 1883: Published first picture, in Life

104 1885-97 Lived in New Orleans, Louisiana Became one of America’s most prolific illustrators offering political cartoons, illustrations of black Americans, funny jokes, etc. Also illustrated many books.

Died: 1933 in Ridgefield, Connecticut

Nast, Thomas

Born: 1840 in Landau, Germany

Studied: Briefly with Theodore Kaufmann at the National Academy of Design and with Alfred Fredericks. Essentially self-taught.

Career: After starting his first full time job with Frank Leslie’s Illustrated at the age of 15 and then moving to The New York Illustrated he was hired by Harper’s Weekly in 1862. In that position he became America’s foremost political cartoonist. He did some painting too, but essentially he is known through his many wood engravings. He created the Republican elephant and popularized his vision of Santa Claus. In 1886 he left Harper’s and tried free lancing.

Died: 1902 in Ecuador

Pennell, Joseph

Born: 1860 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Studied: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts; Pennsylvainia School of Industrial Arts; Etching with Gerome Ferri; then with Whistler

Career: Many exhibitions and prizes; one of the foremost etchers in America. Close friend of Whistler; Works found in many galleries.

Died: 1926 in Brooklyn Heights

105 Reinhart, Charles Stanley

Born: May 16, 1844 in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Studied: Atelier Suisse in Paris Munich Academy under Straehuber and Otto Also spent the years 1882-86 in Paris where he exhibited often at the Salon

Career: Worked under Charles Parsons at Harper Bros. where he became one of their regular illustrators. Continued to paint, particularly marine scenes, and exhibited regularly at the National Academy of Design. Best known, however, as a black and white illustrator.

Died: August 30, 1896 in New York City at the age of 52.

Remington, Frederic

Born: 1861 in Canton, New York

Studied: Yale Art School 1878-79; Art Student’s League in 1885. Mainly self-taught

Career: He became through his illustrations, paintings and sculptures America’s great interpreter of the Old West. Much was done for Harper’s but he also contributed to Collier’s, Century, and many other magazines. His works are exhibited in many museums. A special Remington Museum is found in Ogdensburg, N.Y.

Died: 1909 in Ridgefield, Connecticut of appendicitis

Small, Frank O.

Born: 1860 in Boston, Massachusetts

Studied: Academie Julian in Paris with Bougereau and T. Robert-Fleury (1885-87)

Career: Exhibited in the Paris Salon and Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Worked as both an illustrator and painter.

Died: 1928

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Smedley, William T.

Born: 1858 in West Bradford, Chester, Pennsylvania

Studied: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Academie Julian in Paris with J. P. Laurens

Career: Exhibited paintings quite widely but was best known as an illustrator who emphasized upper class Americans and fashions. Very prolific, publishing in several periodicals.

Died: 1920 in Bronxville, New York

Snyder, William P.

Although he produced a considerable number of illustrations, there seems to be virtually no information easily obtainable about W. P. Snyder.

Thulstrup, Thure de

Born: 1848 Stockholm, Sweden

Studied: Graduate of the Swedish Military Academy and served in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) Studied in Paris After immigrating to America studied at the Art Students League

Career: Immigrated to America in 1875 Exhibited quite widely Worked on the staff of the Daily Graphic and then Leslie’s Illustrated Joined the staff of Harper’s and served as a staff artist for 20 years. Aside from his career as an illustrator he also produced many paintings of American colonial life, etc.

Died: 1930 in New York City

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Worth, Thomas

Born: 1834 in Islip, Long Island, New York

Studied: Largely self-taught

Career: Began with Currier and Ives in 1855 and became one of their most popular artists. Did pictures of Afro-Americans that today are regarded as racist. Also did racing pictures. Became a regular contributor to Harper’s Weekly. Exhibited at the National Academy of Design in 1874

Died: 1917 on Staten Island, N.Y.

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