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 billiard ball, a gift of the Celanese Corporation, is made of cellulose nitrate, a substance eventually known as "celluloid." John Wesley Hyatt, a printer, was encouraged to develop the new substance when he saw an ad offering $10,000 to the person who invented a usable subs
Description
This billiard ball, a gift of the Celanese Corporation, is made of cellulose nitrate, a substance eventually known as "celluloid." John Wesley Hyatt, a printer, was encouraged to develop the new substance when he saw an ad offering $10,000 to the person who invented a usable substitute for ivory in billiard balls. Hyatt eventually achieved success with his new material, forming the Celluloid Manufacturing Co. in 1871, but never received the $10,000 award.
The ball is mounted on a walnut stand with a silver label stating, "Made in 1868 of Cellulose Nitrate, Celluloid. The Year John Wesley Hyatt Discovered This First Plastics Resin."
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1868
inventor
Hyatt, John Wesley
originator
Hyatt, John Wesley
ID Number
CH.334572
accession number
310799
catalog number
334572
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by David Knox, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.The monotony of camp life was relieved by every variety of amusement that was known, or could be devised.
Description
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by David Knox, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.
The monotony of camp life was relieved by every variety of amusement that was known, or could be devised. During the periods of inactivity, base ball, cricket, gymnastics, foot races, &c., were indulged in to a great extent, and on holidays horse races, foot races, and other games were allowed. Sometimes the men would put up a greased pole, with a prize on the top, for anyone who succeeded in climbing up to it, and not unfrequently a pig would be turned loose with a shaved and greased tail, for the men to catch. Any grip but a "tail hold" was illegitimate, but he who seized and held the pig by this appendage, carried it off in triumph to his mess.
Cock fighting, however, was quite unusual, and seldom permitted, except when some of the contrabands incited their captured Shanghais, or more ignoble fowls, to combat. Such displays were always ludicrous, and were generally exhibited for the amusement of the mess for whom the feathered bipeds were intended. Horses and mules perished by hundreds from ill-usage, but with thin exception it would be exceedingly difficult to cite an instance of cruelty to animals in the army. Fowls, dogs, kittens, and even wild animals, were made pets of, and were cared for most tenderly. Sometimes a regiment would adopt a dog, and woe to the individual who ventured to maltreat it. Several of the Western regiments carried pet bears with them, and one regiment was accompanied by a tame eagle in all its campaigns.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864-08
maker
Gardner, Alexander
ID Number
1986.0711.0283.26
accession number
1986.0711
catalog number
1986.0711.0283.26
All-American Glee Club. side 1: Rambling Wreck From Georgia Tech (track 1) Hail to Georgia (track 2) Cavalier Song/Virginia, Hail, All Hail (track 3); side 2: Carolina's Day (track 1) Hark!
Description
All-American Glee Club. side 1: Rambling Wreck From Georgia Tech (track 1) Hail to Georgia (track 2) Cavalier Song/Virginia, Hail, All Hail (track 3); side 2: Carolina's Day (track 1) Hark! The Sound of Tarheel Voice/Here Comes Carolina (track 2) (Victor 26684), from the album, College Songs, Vol. 3 - Southern (Victor P 34).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0384.25
accession number
1988.0384
maker number
26684
catalog number
1988.0384.25
Sometime around her 17th birthday, Canadian Bernice Palmer received a Kodak Brownie box camera (No. 2A Model), either for Christmas 1911 or for her birthday on 10 January 1912.
Description
Sometime around her 17th birthday, Canadian Bernice Palmer received a Kodak Brownie box camera (No. 2A Model), either for Christmas 1911 or for her birthday on 10 January 1912. In early April, she and her mother boarded the Cunard liner Carpathia in New York, for a Mediterranean cruise. Carpathia had scarcely cleared New York, when it received a distress call from the White Star liner Titanic on 14 April. It raced to the scene of the sinking and managed to rescue over 700 survivors from the icy North Atlantic. With her new camera, Bernice took pictures of the iceberg that sliced open the Titanic’s hull below the waterline and also took snapshots of some of the Titanic survivors. Lacking enough food to feed both the paying passengers and Titanic survivors, the Carpathia turned around and headed back to New York to land the survivors. Unaware of the high value of her pictures, Bernice sold publication rights to Underwood & Underwood for just $10 and a promise to develop, print, and return her pictures after use. In 1986, she donated her camera, the pictures and her remarkable story to the Smithsonian.
date made
ca 1912
user
Ellis, Bernice P.
maker
Eastman Kodak Company
ID Number
1986.0173.38
accession number
1986.0173
catalog number
1986.0173.38
The Nintendo Game Boy was released in 1989.
Description
The Nintendo Game Boy was released in 1989. It was a handheld video game console that combined aspects of Nintendo's successful Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) television video game console with their earlier handheld electronic games marketed under the name "Game & Watch." It contained an 8-bit Z80 processor with a monochrome LCD display and 4-channel stereo sound. Shortly after the introduction of the Game Boy, Sega and Atari released handheld games, the Sega Game Gear and the Atari Lynx. Both had superior color LCD displays but both also suffered from short battery life and limited game availability. Nintendo shipped over 100 million units of the Game Boy and its successor, the Game Boy Color around the world.
All original Game Boys were bundled with Tetris, an addictive game developed in 1985 by Russian mathematician Alexey Pazhitnov, assisted by Dmitry Pavlovsky and Vadim Gerasimov. As with the NES, game software was stored on removable cartridges, allowing users to switch games at whim. Nintendo also marketed a number of accessories with this version of the Game Boy, including a camera and printer attachment.
Date made
1989
user
Huynh, Richard
patent holder
Nintendo Co., Ltd.
maker
Nintendo Co., Ltd.
ID Number
2003.0344.01
accession number
2003.0344
catalog number
2003.0344.01
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 plastic "Smothers Brothers" yo-yo was made by Playmaxx, Inc. in the 1990s. It has indented flat sides and a blue plastic design. Clear removable plastic disc seals on both sides. One side features a line portrait and the other a silhouette of the two performers.
Description (Brief)
This plastic "Smothers Brothers" yo-yo was made by Playmaxx, Inc. in the 1990s. It has indented flat sides and a blue plastic design. Clear removable plastic disc seals on both sides. One side features a line portrait and the other a silhouette of the two performers. The Smothers Brothers were a comedy variety act who parlayed their song “Yo-yo Man” into a successful instructional video and yo-yo line.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1990s
maker
Playmaxx
ID Number
2002.0246.27
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.27
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1974-12
depicted (sitter)
King, Billie Jean
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.104
catalog number
2014.0112.104
accession number
2014.0112
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 jumbo-size wooden yo-yo was made by Royal Manufacturing Company in the 1950s. It is blue with a gold stripe, and features a red and yellow crown graphic meant to look like the Crown of England. A blue and white decal reads “Royal Tops Mfg. Co. L.I City. N.Y.
Description (Brief)
This jumbo-size wooden yo-yo was made by Royal Manufacturing Company in the 1950s. It is blue with a gold stripe, and features a red and yellow crown graphic meant to look like the Crown of England. A blue and white decal reads “Royal Tops Mfg. Co. L.I City. N.Y. King Size Yo-Yo.” Royal was a major mid-century maker begun by Filipino immigrant Joe Radovan.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
maker
Royal Tops Manufacturing Co.
ID Number
2002.0246.24
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.24
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1923
date used
1936 to 1960s
maker
Beetleware Corporation
ID Number
1984.0331.11
accession number
1984.0331
catalog number
1984.0331.11
patent number
1458543
All-American Glee Club. College Songs, Vol. 4 - Pacific Coast (Victor P 36). 3-disc set. (album for 1988.0384.27 - .29).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
All-American Glee Club. College Songs, Vol. 4 - Pacific Coast (Victor P 36). 3-disc set. (album for 1988.0384.27 - .29).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1940
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0384.26
accession number
1988.0384
maker number
P 36
catalog number
1988.0384.26
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 pressbook is for the 1958 Warner Bros. musical film Damn Yankees, directed by George Abbott and Stanley Donen and starred Gwen Verdon, Tab Hunter, and Ray Walston.
Description
This pressbook is for the 1958 Warner Bros. musical film Damn Yankees, directed by George Abbott and Stanley Donen and starred Gwen Verdon, Tab Hunter, and Ray Walston. This pressbook was distributed to movie theater owners for the purchase of posters and other material as marketing tools for promotion of this movie.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1958
performing artist; depicted
Verdon, Gwen
publisher
Warner Brothers
ID Number
1986.0370.10
accession number
1986.0370
catalog number
1986.0370.10
Beginning in 1935, the Simplex Manufacturing Corporation of New Orleans made motorbikes, which were smaller and lighter than motorcycles. Their simple designs made personal transportation accessible to young people and adults.
Description
Beginning in 1935, the Simplex Manufacturing Corporation of New Orleans made motorbikes, which were smaller and lighter than motorcycles. Their simple designs made personal transportation accessible to young people and adults. Owners found many uses for Servi-Cycles, including errands, pleasure rides, and package delivery using a three-wheeled model. Top speed was 40 miles per hour, and average cruising speed was 30 miles per hour. Postwar sales were strong, but Servi-Cycle sales declined in the 1950s because of the growing popularity of imported motor scooters. Simplex ended motorbike production in 1960 but made motor scooters until 1972, when the company went out of business.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1935
maker
Simplex Manufacturing Company
ID Number
TR.317365
accession number
230387
catalog number
317365
Lawn darts (also known as jarts) were a popular backyard lawn game during the 1980s. This lawn dart set sold by DP Superdarts is composed of three yellow darts and three red darts, with two plastic circles as targets.
Description
Lawn darts (also known as jarts) were a popular backyard lawn game during the 1980s. This lawn dart set sold by DP Superdarts is composed of three yellow darts and three red darts, with two plastic circles as targets.
ID Number
2014.3006.02.1
nonaccession number
2014.3006
catalog number
2014.3006.02.1
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1923
date used
1936 to 1960s
maker
Beetleware Corporation
ID Number
1984.0331.04
accession number
1984.0331
catalog number
1984.0331.04
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 made by All Western Plastics in Nebraska during the 1950s. It has clear rounded sides and a yellow body, with a photo of movie cowboy Roy Rogers and his horse Trigger on one side.
Description (Brief)
This plastic yo-yo was made by All Western Plastics in Nebraska during the 1950s. It has clear rounded sides and a yellow body, with a photo of movie cowboy Roy Rogers and his horse Trigger on one side. The other side features a printed advertisement for a "King and Queen" top spinner contest. The retail package reads: “It’s smooth and fast, it’s inside walls are slick as glass, no rough wood to catch the string, does all the tricks...its Roundup King.”
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
depicted
Rogers, Roy
maker
All Western Plastics
ID Number
2002.0246.42
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.42
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1923
date used
1936 to 1960s
maker
Beetleware Corporation
ID Number
1984.0331.06
accession number
1984.0331
catalog number
1984.0331.06
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

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