Sports & Leisure

The nation's passion for sports is obvious every day—at NASCAR races, kiddie soccer matches, and countless other contests. From a handball used by Abraham Lincoln to Chris Evert's tennis racket to a baseball signed by Jackie Robinson, the roughly 6.000 objects in the Museum's sports collections bear witness to the vital place of sports in the nation's history. Paper sports objects in the collections, such as souvenir programs and baseball cards, number in the hundreds of thousands.

Leisure collections encompass a different range of objects, including camping vehicles and gear, video games, playing cards, sportswear, exercise equipment, and Currier and Ives prints of fishing, hunting, and horseracing. Some 4,000 toys dating from the colonial period to the present are a special strength of the collections.

This type of wooden one-piece yo-yo was produced by the Duncan Toys Company from 1953 through the 1960s. It is white with four rhinestones embedded in each half.
Description (Brief)
This type of wooden one-piece yo-yo was produced by the Duncan Toys Company from 1953 through the 1960s. It is white with four rhinestones embedded in each half. The stamped seal reads “Duncan Jeweled Tournament Yo-Yo, Tops.” The Duncan Jeweled was one of the best-selling yo-yos after World War II, inspiring other brands to produce their own jeweled examples.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.22
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.22
This wooden spinning top was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s as part of a Campbell’s Soup promotion. It is red with a white plastic tip and has an image of the Campbell’s mascot "Soup Boy" in gold.
Description (Brief)
This wooden spinning top was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s as part of a Campbell’s Soup promotion. It is red with a white plastic tip and has an image of the Campbell’s mascot "Soup Boy" in gold. It reads “A Duncan Brand Toy.” The top's string is wound around a separate string holder.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.58
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.58
This wooden yo-yo was made by Duncan Toys Company in the 1960s. It is black on one half and red on the other. A Duncan Beginners Yo-Yo, it is part of a line made since the 1930s. Yo-Yos from this line are usually wooden with pegged strings.
Description (Brief)
This wooden yo-yo was made by Duncan Toys Company in the 1960s. It is black on one half and red on the other. A Duncan Beginners Yo-Yo, it is part of a line made since the 1930s. Yo-Yos from this line are usually wooden with pegged strings. This example features a very early image of Duncan's mascot “Mr. Yo-Yo.”
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1930s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.10
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.10
This plastic yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s. It is green with clear rounded sides. An insert under the sides has a graphic of a flying eagle and the text “Genuine Duncan Yo-Yo, Professional Para Campeonato, El Aguila.”Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This plastic yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s. It is green with clear rounded sides. An insert under the sides has a graphic of a flying eagle and the text “Genuine Duncan Yo-Yo, Professional Para Campeonato, El Aguila.”
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.38
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.38
This trophy was awarded during Yo-Yo Contests during the 1950s. The trophy is a solid brass statuette of Duncan Toys Company mascot "Mr. Yo-Yo" atop a wooden base.
Description (Brief)
This trophy was awarded during Yo-Yo Contests during the 1950s. The trophy is a solid brass statuette of Duncan Toys Company mascot "Mr. Yo-Yo" atop a wooden base. The plaque reads “A Good Sport Always Wins, Genuine Duncan Yo-Yo Champion." Duncan held a variety of contests in conjunction with newspapers, retailers and other firms during this periods to generate publicity and interest in the sport.
Date made
1950s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.64
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.64
This developmental prototype for a whistling yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company. It is made of stained wood with slotted pink and white plastic center pieces (diaphragms) attached to each half.
Description (Brief)
This developmental prototype for a whistling yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company. It is made of stained wood with slotted pink and white plastic center pieces (diaphragms) attached to each half. There are eight small air holes on each side that produce a whistling sound when spun. Duncan’s previous whistling yo-yos were metal and manufactured by the Cayo Manufacturing Company. This example is likely an attempt by Duncan to self-produce a wooden whistler.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.21
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.21
This plastic yo-yo was briefly made by Duncan in the middle of the 1950s. Called the “Pony Boy,” it was intended for beginners. The yo-yo has green rounded sides, a red and orange rim, and a BB pellet inside that makes noise when spun.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This plastic yo-yo was briefly made by Duncan in the middle of the 1950s. Called the “Pony Boy,” it was intended for beginners. The yo-yo has green rounded sides, a red and orange rim, and a BB pellet inside that makes noise when spun.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.40
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.40
This plastic yo-yo was manufactured by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1980s. It is plastic with clear sides.
Description (Brief)
This plastic yo-yo was manufactured by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1980s. It is plastic with clear sides. Under one side there is a "magic motion" holographic portrait of DC Comics character Clark Kent wearing glasses, which when tilted, turns into an image of his alter-ego Superman. The yo-yo's other side features a red and yellow Superman “S" on a blue background.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1980s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.32
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.32
This plastic yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s. It is pink with clear edges. There is a decal on each side of an eagle in flight and the words “Genuine Duncan Yo-Yo, El Aguila, Professional Para Campeonato.”Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This plastic yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s. It is pink with clear edges. There is a decal on each side of an eagle in flight and the words “Genuine Duncan Yo-Yo, El Aguila, Professional Para Campeonato.”
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.36
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.36
This blue wooden yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in 1952. It was given as an award to 1952 yo-yo champion, David Jarol.
Description (Brief)
This blue wooden yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in 1952. It was given as an award to 1952 yo-yo champion, David Jarol.
Date made
1952
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.66
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.66
This plastic yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1960s. Resembling a black bowling ball, it was made as a promotion for Amflite’s bowling line. It was one of the last lines Duncan produced before it was bought by Flambeau Products Corp. in 1968.
Description (Brief)
This plastic yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1960s. Resembling a black bowling ball, it was made as a promotion for Amflite’s bowling line. It was one of the last lines Duncan produced before it was bought by Flambeau Products Corp. in 1968. The success of the bowling ball model prompted Duncan to create an entire "Sportsline" series of yo-yos imitating balls from various sports.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1960s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.48
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.48
This wooden yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s. It is made of wood and has one black side and one red side. This is a "Beginners Yo-Yo," which were less expensive than the company's tournament models.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This wooden yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s. It is made of wood and has one black side and one red side. This is a "Beginners Yo-Yo," which were less expensive than the company's tournament models.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.11
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.11
This plastic yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1960s. It has a clear plastic frame embedded with multi-colored plastic shards. The yo-yo was made to promote the Walt Disney Company's "Wonderful World Of Color" television show, which began in 1954.
Description (Brief)
This plastic yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1960s. It has a clear plastic frame embedded with multi-colored plastic shards. The yo-yo was made to promote the Walt Disney Company's "Wonderful World Of Color" television show, which began in 1954. One side features a golden hot -stamped globe and the words “Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.” The other side reads “Duncan Yo-Yo Return Top.”
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1960s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.43
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.43
This red cloth award ribbon was given by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s to yo-yo tournament champions. It features a drawing in black of Duncan mascot Mr.
Description (Brief)
This red cloth award ribbon was given by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s to yo-yo tournament champions. It features a drawing in black of Duncan mascot Mr. Yo-Yo performing the trick “Rocking the Cradle.” It reads “Duncan Yo-Yo Champ.” The ribbon is attached to a blue and white round pin reading “Duncan Yo-Yo Tourney Expert.”
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.63
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.63
This blue plastic yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s. Clear plastic covers on its rounded sides reveal red, white and black designs featuring graphics of charging bulls. There are loose pieces inside the yo-yo which make a slight noise when spun.
Description (Brief)
This blue plastic yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s. Clear plastic covers on its rounded sides reveal red, white and black designs featuring graphics of charging bulls. There are loose pieces inside the yo-yo which make a slight noise when spun. The sides read “Genuine Duncan Yo-Yo, El Toro.”
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.20
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.20
This paddleboard game was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s as part of a Campbell’s Soup promotion. The board is a red and white cardboard paddle. A hole in the center of the paddle holds a rubber cord and ball.
Description (Brief)
This paddleboard game was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s as part of a Campbell’s Soup promotion. The board is a red and white cardboard paddle. A hole in the center of the paddle holds a rubber cord and ball. There is a graphic of the "Campbell Soup Kids" on one side.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.59
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.59
This wooden yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1930s. It has a green design with a broad red stripe. The seal reads “Genuine Duncan Yo-Yo, Reg.
Description (Brief)
This wooden yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1930s. It has a green design with a broad red stripe. The seal reads “Genuine Duncan Yo-Yo, Reg. US Pat.” This was an early version of the Duncan Genuine Yo-Yo, produced soon after Donald Duncan bought the trademark term “yo-yo” from inventor Pedro Flores. This yo-yo's seal is reminiscent of the one used by Flores.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1930s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.17
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.17
This Tenite plastic yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1960s. It is unopened on a display card that reads "Duncan Mardi Gras Yo-yo Return Top, no. 700." The card features an image of a man in a party hat and mask.
Description (Brief)
This Tenite plastic yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1960s. It is unopened on a display card that reads "Duncan Mardi Gras Yo-yo Return Top, no. 700." The card features an image of a man in a party hat and mask. The yo-yo has flat sides with a metal axle and an abstract white, red, black and glitter design .
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1960s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.55
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.55
This steel Duncan yo-yo was made by the Cayo Manufacturing Company in the 1930s. It has flat sides and a red, yellow and blue starburst lithograph seal design on both halves. There are two small air holes that make a whistling sound when the toy is spun.
Description (Brief)
This steel Duncan yo-yo was made by the Cayo Manufacturing Company in the 1930s. It has flat sides and a red, yellow and blue starburst lithograph seal design on both halves. There are two small air holes that make a whistling sound when the toy is spun. The decal reads “Genuine Duncan Whistling Yo-Yo.” The Duncan Toys Company contracted its metal yo-yos to the Cayo Manufacturing Company until World War II.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1930s
maker
Duncan
Cayo Manufacturing Company
ID Number
2002.0246.03
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.03
This red plastic yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company. It has flat sides and features an image of Campbell's Soups mascot "Soup Boy."Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This red plastic yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company. It has flat sides and features an image of Campbell's Soups mascot "Soup Boy."
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.34
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.34
This orange plastic “Duncan Butterfly” yo-yo was made Flambeau Products in the late 1990s. The Duncan Toys Company lost its trademark for the term “yo-yo” in 1965. The legal costs of the decision forced the company into bankruptcy.
Description (Brief)
This orange plastic “Duncan Butterfly” yo-yo was made Flambeau Products in the late 1990s. The Duncan Toys Company lost its trademark for the term “yo-yo” in 1965. The legal costs of the decision forced the company into bankruptcy. Flambeau, who had been making plastic yo-yos for Duncan since 1955, bought Duncan's name in 1968.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1990s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.44
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.44
This wooden butterfly yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company from 1958-1965.
Description (Brief)
This wooden butterfly yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company from 1958-1965. It is painted with a light blue glitter enamel paint, and has a stamped gold butterfly design with the words “Duncan Butterfly Yo-Yo.” Butterfly yo-yos have beveled rims tapering inward toward the axle to improve its string catching ability. Although the Duncan company lost its trademark on the term “Yo-Yo” it retains the trademark for“Butterfly.”
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1960s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.23
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.23
This plastic yo-yo was made by SAMCO in the early 1960s. SAMCO, an Italian company, made this yo-yo to promote Coca-Cola brand soda. The yo-yo has rounded sides and a red, white and yellow design depicting a boy pointing to a Coca-Cola bottle.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This plastic yo-yo was made by SAMCO in the early 1960s. SAMCO, an Italian company, made this yo-yo to promote Coca-Cola brand soda. The yo-yo has rounded sides and a red, white and yellow design depicting a boy pointing to a Coca-Cola bottle.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1960-1965
maker
Duncan
SAMCO
ID Number
2002.0246.35
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.35
This pin was made in Italy by the Duncan Toys Company during the 1950s. It is metal, shield-shaped, and colored red, blue, and silver. It reads “Coca-Cola, Yo-Yo Duncan Esperto,” (Coca-Cola Duncan Yo-Yo Expert.)Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This pin was made in Italy by the Duncan Toys Company during the 1950s. It is metal, shield-shaped, and colored red, blue, and silver. It reads “Coca-Cola, Yo-Yo Duncan Esperto,” (Coca-Cola Duncan Yo-Yo Expert.)
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.62
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.62

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