Historic Newspapers: Sports

CHICAGO SUNDAY TRIBUNE, October 2, 1932 

* Babe Ruth's called shot (first report)
* New York Yankees World Series (game 3)
* Chicago Cubs - Wrigley Field
* Best title to be had - very rare

This could well be the most desired newspaper in baseball history. This edition reports the famous Babe Ruth "called shot" home run in the 1932 World Series.
As a bit of background, the following is on the Baseball Hall of Fame website:

THE ESSEX JOURNAL & NEW HAMPSHIRE PACKET, Newburyport, Massachusetts, Feb. 9, 1776 

* Paul Revere masthead engraving
* American Revolutionary War
* Great year to have (1776)

There were but a few masthead engravings of the 18th century which were created by Paul Revere. The "Massachusetts Spy" is perhaps the most famous, plus there is the engraving in the "Boston Gazette" as well, with these two newspapers being among the most common in a relative sense. But even these are quite rare.
Revere also…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 28, 1789  

* A historic cornerstone addition for any cricket collection

The article is titled: "Cricket" which contains within a subtitle reading: "Laws of the Game" which takes the majority of the article. There is another smaller subhead reading: "Betts" which mentions wagering on the game.
The prefatory paragraph reads: "This game, at present so fashionable, and at all times so creditable and manly, will, it is feared, receive a check from the…

THE ESSEX JOURNAL & NEW HAMPSHIRE PACKET, Newburyport, Massachusetts, March 1, 1776  There were but a few masthead engravings of the 18th century which were created by Paul Revere. The "Massachusetts Spy" is perhaps the most famous, plus there is the engraving in the "Boston Gazette" as well, with these two newspapers being among the most common, in a relative sense. But even these are quite rare.
Revere also created the masthead for the Essex Journal, very few examples of which are found on…

THE PROVIDENCE GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL, Rhode Island, Oct. 31, 1778  

* British last attempt - peace with America

The entire front page and a portion of page 2 are taken up with an historic document headed: "MANIFESTO and PROCLAMATION" by General Henry Clinton.
Once France entered the war on the side of the colonists, Lord North became alarmed & sent commissioners to America with a peace offer, renouncing the right of taxing Americans. But Congress rejected this offer since, with the…

THE NEW YORK HERALD, January 23, 1857 

* Birth of organized baseball
* First convention of clubs

The back page has a report which could be considered the birth of organized baseball. And printed the day after the event happened.
The second column has an article headed: "Our National Sports" with subheads: "The Game of Base Ball--Convention of the Various Clubs Of the City and Vicinity--The Laws to Be Codified--Central Park Commissioners & the Base Ball Clubs".
Over half of the column…

PORTERS SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Dec. 27, 1856

* Earliest of baseball diagrams
* Pre-American Civil War era

This issue of this once popular sporting journal features one of the earliest baseball illustrations to appear in a periodical.
This simple illustration, which is actually a 3 by 3 inch diagram, shows the position of the players, and is part of an article: "Base Ball" "How They Play The Game In New England".
The diagram shows a layout that is more square than the current…

THE DETROIT NEWS, March 31, 1931 

* Knute Rockne killed(1st report)
* Notre Dame head football coach
* Terrific headline for display
* Early, same day breaking coverage

The fantastic large, bold banner headline announces: "ROCKNE KILLED" with subheads and photo of Rockne. Terrific for display. This is definitely the most displayable issue we have offered on this particular event. Would look great framed in a sport's enthusiast household, especially a Fighting Irish football fan. Also…

GREEN & RUSSELL'S BOSTON POST-BOY & ADVERTISER, June 18, 1759  

* Very rare Colonial publication
* French and Indian War era 

This is one of the less common colonial titles we have offered. A very handsome masthead with two ornate engravings, one of a sailing ship & the other of a horse-mounted post boy delivering the news.
Page 2 has reports from various American cities, including one item: "We hear from Albany that General Amherst, having received an express...from General Wolfe, immediately…

VALLEY SENTINEL, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1912 

* Jim Thorpe wins Olympic gold medal
* Decathlon - Stockholm Summer Olympic
* Best publication to be had (very rare)

Although legendary athlete Jim Thorpe was born & grew up in Oklahoma, he has very close ties with the city of Carlisle. It was in 1904 when Thorpe attended the Carlisle Indian Industrial School that his incredible athletic prowess was discovered by "Pop" Warner, one of the most influential coaches in early football…

THE TIMES, London, Aug. 25, 1851 

* 1st America's Cup
* Yacht "America" wins

Nearly half of page 5 is taken up with very detailed accounts of: "The Cowes Regatta" in England, which would become known as the famed America's Cup race.
This was the very first of this iconic race, and since won by the yacht "America" it would forever become known as the race for the "America's Cup".
Listed are each of the contenting yachts with details, and considerable reporting on the race. Part of the…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, Nov. 30, 1930

* Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Army Cadets
* 2nd to last collegiate game coached by Knute Rockne
* ND to be National Champions for 1930 season
* The prime rivalry at this time in the sport
* Great item for display - NCAA college football
* From the city where the game was played (very rare)

Here is truly a terrific issue on Notre Dame football. The front page has a nice banner headline that announces: "110,000 SEE ARMY LOSE, 7-6" with subheads.…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Dec. 26, 1885  The full front page is a famous Thomas Nast Christmas print: "Peace and Good Will Ringing In The Air -- Ding! Dong!!" showing two Santa Claus prints.
Other prints within include: "The Meet Of a Canadian Show-Shoe Club" and a great doublepage centerfold by Thomas Nast: "A Christmas Box" showing Santa Claus coming up from it.
Others include: "The Pride of the Christmas Feast" "New Station of the Hudson River Railroad..." "The Late Robert Toombs" "The…

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1781  Near the back is a section headed: "American News" which has a "Copy of a Letter from Brig. Gen. Arnold to his Excellency the Commander in Chief, dated Sound off Plumb Island, Sept. 8, 1781" which takes over an entire page & is signed by him in type: B. Arnold.
This is his detailed report on the taking of New London, Connecticut, known as the Battle of Groton Heights.
Also included is a letter from George Washington to Congress which prefaces…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 10, 1887  The full ftpg. is a Zogbaum print: "Mars & Venus at Fortress Monroe". A full page has many scenes of Castine captioned: "An Old Maine; Seaport". Another full page has 6 prints of: "The Annual Meet of the American Canoe Association".
But by far the best print in this issue is the terrific double page centerfold captioned: "Thrown Out On Second" which is a great view of a baseball play in progress, a much closer view of game action than is…

OFFICIAL (Baseball) RECORD, New York, July 9, 1886 

* Very rare baseball periodical

This is a volume two issue of a very rare & historically important baseball newspaper, the very first daily sports newspaper dedicated entirely to the national game of professional baseball. 
Although the masthead reads: "Official Record" the title at the top of pages 2, 3 & 4 reads: "Official Baseball Record". This issue has a terrific baseball-themed masthead, featuring two crossed bats (barrel handles with 3…

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, a trio of issues for May 16, July 17 and 18, 1941 

* Joe DiMaggio's famous hitting streak
* It begins - breaks record - and ending
* New York Yankees - MLB baseball
* 3 issue lot from his hometown publication

The sports page of May 16 has a report on the game with the Chicago White Sox, noting a 13-1 defeat, but also including the box score which shows Joe DiMaggio had a hit. Also a neat subhead noting: "Joe Singles", likely because Joe is from San Francisco.
…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 28, 1888  The entire front page is taken up with one of the best 19th century baseball prints to be found, showing a batter, catcher & umpire captioned: "A Ball Or A Strike--Which?" drawn by T. de Thurstrup.
There are also many other prints within this issue including a fullpg. with 6 vignettes: "View of Town & Country in Honduras'"; a small print of "The Palais Bourbon"; a halfpg: "Sketches in the French Chamber of Deputies" and another full page with 2 prints…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 4, 1863  Half of the front page is taken up with a somber print: "Execution, by Hanging, of Two Rebel Spies, Williams and Peters, In the Army of the Cumberland" with text as well.
The best print in this issue is the half page: "Raid of Second South Carolina Volunteers (Col. Montgomery) Among the Rice Plantations on the Combahee, S.C."  Although she is not mentioned by name, this was the work of the remarkable Harriet Tubman.
Known as the Combahee River Raid,…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, October 22, 1922

* Ohio Stadium "The Horseshoe" dedication
* Michigan-Ohio State college football rivalry
* First game played between rivals at stadium

The front page has a terrific banner headline for display: "OHIO BOWS TO MICHIGAN, 19-0" with subheads. (see images) Very unusual having such a nice sport's headline on the front page. Rare as such. Coverage continues in the sport's section with Quarter by quarter description and lineups. Other college football…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 8, 1886  The full ftpg. shows: "Some Setters & Pointers at the Dog Show" with a related article inside. Other prints include: "The Canoe Exhibition", a Thomas Nast political cartoon: "The Root Of The Matter"; a doublepage centerfold of: "Trinity Church, Boston"; and a fullpg: "Unveiling the Statue of Senator Hill at Atlanta".
But the prime print is the terrific & very displayable full page captioned: "A Double Play--First League Game, New York Against Boston,…

HARPER'S WEEKLY October 14, 1893 Full front page print: "Columbian Exposition - The Grand Arch of the Peristyle." Inside includes a half page: "Columbian Exposition - The Johnson Family Visit the Lapland Village"; halfpg: "Two of Philadelphia's Cricket Clubs"; fullpg: "The Centenary of Williams College" which includes a portrait of "Franklin Carter: President of Williams College."
Fullpg. print: "The Harvest Dance of the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico". Also the text of: "The Adventures of…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, August 22, 1885  Many nice prints in this issue, but certainly the prime piece is the terrific full page baseball print by T. deThulstrup captioned: "The Winning Run--How Is It, Umpire?" being a dramatic print of a runner sliding into home plate showing the catcher, umpire and several players in the field.
This is one of the best baseball prints to be had from Harper's, accompanied with a full column story on the following page.
Other prints include a full front…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, August 22, 1885 

* Illustrator Thure de Thulstrup
* Great baseball action engraving 

Many nice prints in this issue, but certainly the prime piece is the terrific full page baseball print by T. deThulstrup captioned: "The Winning Run--How Is It, Umpire?" being a dramatic print of a runner sliding into home plate showing the catcher, umpire and several players in the field.
This is one of the best baseball prints to be had from Harper's, accompanied with a…

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, New York, Nov. 17, 1877 

* Historic Phonograph invention
* Early Pre-public unveiling 
* Thomas Edison - inventor
* Early baseball science

A page 2 article headed: "A Wonderful Invention--Speech Capable Of Indefinite Repetition From Automatic Records" reports this about Edison's latest invention: "...The possibility is simply startling...a strip of indented paper travels through a little machine, the sounds of the latter are magnified....Speech has become, as it…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 8, 1886 

* Collectible 19th century baseball print

The full ftpg. shows: "Some Setters & Pointers at the Dog Show" with a related article inside. Other prints include: "The Canoe Exhibition", a Thomas Nast political cartoon: "The Root Of The Matter"; a doublepage centerfold of: "Trinity Church, Boston"; and a full page: "Unveiling the Statue of Senator Hill at Atlanta".
But the prime print is certainly the terrific & very displayable full page captioned:…

THE VILLAGE VOICE, New York, Sept. 2, 1965 

* Bob Dylan & his electric guitar
* His famous Forest Hills concert

The front page features a photo of Bob Dylan captioned: "Dylan Stirred Up Forrest Hills". Also on the ftpg, & concluding inside, is a detailed account of the Dylan's very notable & controversial performance at Forest Hills of just 5 days earlier. Portions include: "...teenage throng was bitterly divided between New York equivalents of Mods and Rockers. The Mods--folk purists, new…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, August 16, 1873  The front page features the portrait of John Tyndall with accompany article. Full page illustrations are: 'Town and Country' and 'Giving the Chicks A Dip' shows children swimming. Contains the full page famous Homer print: 'The Nooning' shows young boys with a hound dog.
Supplement: Nearly full page: 'Interior of a Japanese Theatre'.
Complete in 16 pages and contains additional prints and related text.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Feb. 17, 1872 This issue features a full page Thomas Nast print in which he portrays Victoria Woodhull as the devil, captioned: 'Get Thee Behind Me, Mrs. Satan!'  Not shown in the photo here is an unhappy woman who '...in climbing the rugged hill of life is compelled to bear alone the burden of a drunken husband & her little children.', who is tempted by Mrs. Woodhull who proclaims: 'Be Saved by Free Love!' Text includes quotes by Mrs. Woodhull, although her name is…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 2, 1895  Certainly the prime content in this issue is not just the page 6 article: "Death of Frederick Douglass" which takes over three-quarters of the first column, but the related illustration of him appearing on page 4 which takes one-third of the page, captioned: "Frederick Douglass, Died Feb. 20, 1895" (see).
The full front page is a political cartoon by W. a. Rogers captioned: "The Strike Against Strong. Walking Delegate Platt In Albany." Other pages…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 12, 1874  Although there are many very nice prints within, the most desired is the full page print by Winslow Homer: "Seesaw--Gloucester, Massachusetts".  
Also within is a full page: "The American Baseball Players in England--Match between the Red Stockings and the Athletics..." plus a half page baseball print captioned: "The Maple Leaf Baseball Club of Guelph, Ontario, Canada" showing the players in uniform with bats.
Additional prints include 3 on the:…

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, March 23, 1889  

* Great baseball prints - illustrations

Note: this is just a portion of the issue, 8 pages but including the mentioned centerfold.
This terrific double page centerfold is captioned: "The American Baseball Players at Kennington Oval--Visit of the Prince of Wales". It includes some 19 scenes of various "plays" in baseball, and also has round portraits of the 18 baseball players involved. Among the two notables are Cap Anson and…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 12, 1874 

* Famous Winslow Homer print

Although there are many very nice prints within, the most desired is the full page print by Winslow Homer: "Seesaw--Gloucester, Massachusetts".  
Also within is a full page: "The American Baseball Players in England--Match between the Red Stockings and the Athletics..." plus a half page baseball print captioned: "The Maple Leaf Baseball Club of Guelph, Ontario, Canada" showing the players in uniform with bats.
…

GLEASON'S PICTORIAL, Boston, Oct. 4, 1851 

* 1st America's Cup race
* Schooner Yacht "America"

Inside has a nice half-page print captioned: "The Celebrated Yacht America" being the vessel which won the now-famous international yacht race the very first year it was held, hence the name "America's Cup".
This race remains yacht racing's most coveted prize to this day. There is a detailed description of the yacht on the adjacent page.
About a third of a page has a print: "American Reaping…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 5, 1860  The prime feature of this issue would have to be the great doublepage centerfold print captioned: "Bloody, Brutal, and Blackguard Prize-Fight In England, Between Heenan and Sayers, On April 17, 1860" which shows hundreds of spectators.
This historic boxing match is considered the very first world boxing championship. It is a terrific boxing print (see). Page 2 has a related article titled: "The Brutal Prize-Fight" and takes close to half of the page…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, Feb. 14, 1921 

* Chicago White (Black) Sox scandal 
* Baseball World Series fix trial
* Best title to be had ? rare as such

The top of page 18 begins with column heads: "BASEBALL GATES FOREVER CLOSED TO INDICTED SOX". Included is a small photo of "Judge K.M. Landis, the Commissioner of Major League Baseball.
This concerns the infamous Black Sox scandal of the 1919 Major League Baseball World Series.
The article notes in part: "It is the opinion of many baseball…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 27, 1874  Within this complete issue is a great full page print captioned: "International Baseball--The Boston Champions" showing the entire team in uniform. The name of each player is captioned below, the list including Al Spaulding and James O'Rourke among others. A related article as well. A great companion issue to join the 2004 Boston champions--130 years later. 
Other prints within include: "The New York Yacht Club Regatta", a full front page political…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, Oct. 4, 5, 6 & 7, 1996

* Tiger Woods very 1st victory (20 years old)
* PGA Professional Golf Association
* Las Vegas Invitational - Nevada

A nice four issue set on Tiger Woods' very 1st PGA Tour victory. Unfortunately the first three issues only show the leader board list in the sport's sections. Probably because this was not a important tournament like the Masters or U.S. Open. And also the fact that Tiger was somewhat far behind the first three days as you can see.…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, Dec. 13, 1920

* First professional football championship game
* Akron Pros vs. Decatur Staleys - Wrigley Field
* Extremely rare item from the city were it happened

The top of page has a one column heading: "STALEYS BATTLE AKRON TEAM TO DEADLOCK, 0 TO 0" with lineups. (see images) There is a small piece torn away along the right margin of this heading but not affect readability. (see images) Great to have from the city where this game was played. Exceedingly rare…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, August 21, 1886  Full ftpg. is a famous Frederic Remington print: 'Soldiering in the Southwest--The Rescue of Corporal Scott, a Black soldier.'
Fullpg: 'A Forest Fire'. Halfpg: 'Types From Arizona' includes Indians & soldiers. Displayable fullpg. print: 'Annapolis, Md.' being 5 views. Also present is "ELEPHANTS IN A BATH", which is a print of P.T. Barnum's elephants.
Note: The Supplement, "Hard Lacrosse - 'Hard Pressed'", by T. de Thulstrup (9th image) is not…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 2, 1870  Certainly the prime feature of this issue is the upper half of a doublepage centerfold which shows an expansive view of a baseball game in progress, between the Brooklyn Atlantics and the Cincinnati Red Stockings. The caption reads: "Base Ball.--The Match Between the 'Red Stockings' and the 'Atlantics' " In this historic game the Atlantics defeated the Red Stockings 8-7. The victory by the Brooklyn team snapped the 84 game winning streak by the Red…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 3, 1869  The front page features an article on "Henry J. Raymond" with a large illustration of him. A fullpage illustration "Peace - Finale, Boston, June, 1869".
Perhaps the best print is a very nice half page: 'The Picked Nine of the Red Stocking Baseball Club, Cincinnati' showing ten players in uniform with some equipment.
Another half-page illustration is the "Farewell Dinner to Hon. A. G. Curtin, at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia, June 12, 1869". Half of a…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Oct. 15, 1859 Ftpg. shows: 'A German Beer Garden in N.Y. City on Sunday Eve.' Nice fullpg: 'The English Cricketers--the Eleven of All England'. Half of the dblpgctrfld. is a terrific illus. of: 'A Base Ball Match at the Elysian Fields, Hoboken' showing a game in progress. A very displayable print, showing almost the entire field. The other half shows a cricket match.   This issue also contains a serialized portion of "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens and a…

NEW YORK TIMES, February 21, 1918 

* Knute Rockne named head coach
* Note Dame Fighting Irish
* NCAA college football

Here is a terrific report for any Notre Dame fan. A small one column head in the bottom half of page 12 announces: "NEW NOTRE DAME COACH" "Rockne Appointed to Succeed Harper as Athletic Director" which tells of the hiring of Knute Rockne as the new coach for the Fighting Irish. Rockne would put Notre Dame on the map as a football powerhouse.
Searches in other…

CHICAGO SUNDAY TRIBUNE, Dec. 21, 1924

* Red Grange wins Big Ten football MVP
* Illinois Fighting Illini college football HB
* Chicago Tribune Silver Football award
* Very 1st year of this award (very rare as such)

The front page of the sport's ection has a terrific banner headline for display: "RED GRANGE AWARDED TRIBUNE TROPHY" with subheads and pictorial. (see images) Of course this is the only publication to report this, very rare as such. This was the very 1st year of this award…

Harper's Weekly, various dates from September 1, 1866 through November 18, 1876. This is a six issue set of Harper's Weekly containing various prints pertaining to events and/or buildings in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The set provides more than a 10% discount over purchasing the issues individually.  This is a great set of issues for anyone interested in Philadelphia, PA, early U.S. architecture, or U.S. history.

This set would look great displayed in one of our 17 inch by 14 inch display…

BOSTON EVENING TRANSCRIPT, Sept. 29, 1920  

* Chicago White "Black" Sox
* World Series Scandal breaks
* Players suspended from team
* Pitcher Eddie Cicotte confession
* Shoeless Joe Jackson confession

The top of the ftpg. has column heads on the infamous "Black Sox" scandal with: "BASEBALL PLOT BARED" "Cicotte and Jackson Make Complete Confession" "First-Named Tells of Receiving $10,000" "Gamblers Obliged to Place It Under Pillow" "Jackson Was Promised $20,000; Got $5000" "Scandal…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 15, 1870  Certainly the most historic or noteworthy print in this issue is the somewhat nondescript political cartoon by famed artist Thomas Nast on the back page titled: "A Live Jackass Kicking a Dead Lion".
Its significance is that this is the very first appearance of the Democratic Donkey, which has remained the image of the Democratic party to this day. Thomas Nast is credited with creating both the Democratic donkey and the Republican elephant, as well as…

THE OMAHA EVENING BEE, Nebraska, October 8 - 10, 12-13, 1914  

* Boston Braves (Atlanta)
* Philadelphia Athletics
* World Series of baseball
* Complete set for all games

This is a five-issue set (the 11th was a Sunday, no issue was printed) covering the 1914 World Series between the Boston Braves and Philadelphia Athletics. This was the first four-game sweep in World Series history, excluding any tie games.
Each issue has a pink-colored front page that carries the coverage of the…