1890s Yale football

Jay Wolt · #1 11-02-2015, 07:47 PM

Just noticed this thread, what a treat
Such awesome memorabilia, thanks for posting 'em

cfhofer · #2 11-04-2015, 06:03 PM

The 1891 Yale team featured 3x All-American William "Pudge" Walter Heffelfinger at guard (back row, far right in photo above). In 1892 he became the first recognized professional football player for the Allegheny Athletic Association. Below is a handwritten signed letter.

Duluth Eskimo · #3 11-04-2015, 08:40 PM

That is an awesome letter. Pudge was from my area (Minneapolis), but you rarely see any items like this even here. Beautiful item and thanks for posting. Jason

ramram · #4 11-05-2015, 04:23 PM

This is a little earlier than what you were looking for but I'll throw it on here anyway. It's a student writing about the Yale football team in 1886 with comments on several players including Harry Beecher.

Rob M.

"...Our room faces the New Haven Green, which puts me in mind of the Boston Common every time I look at it. There are thirteen Exeter men here, including Wurtenburgh, Sykes Lyman...Wurtie is doing fine work on the team. He is sub. half & quarter back. He does not want to do much football playing this year and so has not worked to get on the team. Ben is a half back but is too slow altogether. He is punting pretty well. He broke his nose in one of the practice games but it is well now. You ought to see how they play football here. The go in to win. There is three times as much slugging in a practice game as there is in the Exeter or Andover game. Hanson played one evening and Pike who was playing opposite him told him to get onside. Hanson did not stir and Pike drew off and hit him right in the eye, then Hanson as soon as he recovered himself hit Pike a dandy on the nose and they had a regular fight until the Captain yelled to them to stop. Hanson had a terrible eye and Pike a skinned nose. You ought to see Beecher play. He is something like Harding, one minute he is in the midst of a crowd and the next he has the ball and running for the goal. He has not layed up at all. He had a sore leg but plays just the same. Wurtie could get halfback if he wanted it but says he wants to study this year and then play football next year. I am afraid Ben will not stay here long. He flunks in great style. Himball played first base on the Freshman base ball team at Princeton in the Freshman-Sophomore game..."

Beecher Football pg1&4.jpg

Beecher Football pg2&3.jpg

cfhofer · #5 11-05-2015, 07:21 PM

Rob - That letter is a historic piece! Wurtenburg, Hanson and Pike were freshman in 1886. Wurtenburg actually played on the varsity squad from 1886-89. Beecher was elected captain the following season in 1887. Thank you for sharing.

CarltonHendricks · #6 11-07-2015, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramram

This is a little earlier than what you were looking for but I'll throw it on here anyway. It's a student writing about the Yale football team in 1886 with comments on several players including Harry Beecher.

Rob M.

"...Our room faces the New Haven Green, which puts me in mind of the Boston Common every time I look at it. There are thirteen Exeter men here, including Wurtenburgh, Sykes Lyman...Wurtie is doing fine work on the team. He is sub. half & quarter back. He does not want to do much football playing this year and so has not worked to get on the team. Ben is a half back but is too slow altogether. He is punting pretty well. He broke his nose in one of the practice games but it is well now. You ought to see how they play football here. The go in to win. There is three times as much slugging in a practice game as there is in the Exeter or Andover game. Hanson played one evening and Pike who was playing opposite him told him to get onside. Hanson did not stir and Pike drew off and hit him right in the eye, then Hanson as soon as he recovered himself hit Pike a dandy on the nose and they had a regular fight until the Captain yelled to them to stop. Hanson had a terrible eye and Pike a skinned nose. You ought to see Beecher play. He is something like Harding, one minute he is in the midst of a crowd and the next he has the ball and running for the goal. He has not layed up at all. He had a sore leg but plays just the same. Wurtie could get halfback if he wanted it but says he wants to study this year and then play football next year. I am afraid Ben will not stay here long. He flunks in great style. Himball played first base on the Freshman base ball team at Princeton in the Freshman-Sophomore game..."

Attachment 210818

Attachment 210819

WOW!!!!...let me know if you ever get tired of that!!

cfhofer · #7 12-03-2015, 07:51 PM

While technically this piece is post-1890s, I thought it was cool enough to share. This is a 13" x 9" signed photograph of Edward Harris "Ted" Coy. Coy was a 3x All-American fullback for Yale from 1907-09. As a senior in 1909, Coy led Yale to an undefeated 10�0 record, outscoring opponents 209�0. He coached the Bulldogs the following year and was an inaugural member of the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951. Coy passed away in 1935 at age 47, making his signature extremely tough.

ctownboy · #8 12-07-2015, 07:28 PM

Here are two different Yale Murphy cabinet cards. The Pach Brothers is when he was a student and the Newsboy is when he was a Major Leaguer.

David

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