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.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1923
date used
1936 to 1960s
ID Number
1984.0331.08
accession number
1984.0331
catalog number
1984.0331.08
This sheet music is for for the song, "The Sports and Joys of Fishing” by "Bung." It was published by C. H. Keith in Boston, Massachusetts in 1854. As indicated on the cover, this was a "humorous song as sung by Ossian’s Bards."Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for for the song, "The Sports and Joys of Fishing” by "Bung." It was published by C. H. Keith in Boston, Massachusetts in 1854. As indicated on the cover, this was a "humorous song as sung by Ossian’s Bards."
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1854
publisher
C. H. Keith
ID Number
1986.0512.03
accession number
1986.0512
catalog number
1986.0512.03
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
printer
Stall & Dean Mfg. Co.
ID Number
1986.0368.06
accession number
1986.0368
catalog number
1986.0368.06
A black and white print of a black stallion running on a hastily erected race track, pulling a sulky. The rider is in a vest, tight pants, a white shirt, and a Homberg hat. The horse’s neck is disproportionately wide.
Description
A black and white print of a black stallion running on a hastily erected race track, pulling a sulky. The rider is in a vest, tight pants, a white shirt, and a Homberg hat. The horse’s neck is disproportionately wide. The center of ring contains two center pole tents with banners which read M…RSHAL and PR…DENT. A judge’s stand is in a circular grandstand with cone-shaped roof and American flag. Spectators line the periphery. The flag in the center of grounds is labeled: US Cr… Society. The scene is the US Agricultural Fair held in West Philadelphia on October 8, 1856.
Sherman Black Hawk was foaled on May 30, 1845 in Bridport, Vermont. He was sired by Black Hawk and Smith Mare, both Morgans, and owned by B.J. Myrick. He was a direct descendent of the founding Sire of the Morgan breed, “Figure” owned by Justin Morgan. At 15.2 hands, Sherman Black Hawk was reputed to be spirited, compact, and well made, and he could trot a mile in 2:40. This enabled him to win first place at both the Vermont State Fair in 1854 and the US Agricultural Fair in Pennsylvania (pictured here) in 1856. The man in the picture is thought to be Hiram Woodruff, a well-known and successful driver of the time. 50,000 attended the race at the 1856 Agricultural Fair in West Philadelphia, PA. Temporary open stands were constructed to seat up to 8,000 people, but people also flooded the infield to watch the main racing attractions.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
n.d.
maker
Bufford, John Henry
original artist
Humphrey, Charles S.
ID Number
DL.60.3529
catalog number
60.3529
Baseball signed by the 1949 Philadelphia Athletics.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1949 Philadelphia Athletics. That season, the A's finished 81-73, 5th in the American League.
Autographs include Connie Mack; Eddie Frost; Nellie Fox; Ferris Fain; Pete Suder; Eddie Joost; Hank Majeski; Wally Moses; Sam Chapman; Elmer Valo; Mike Guerra; Don White; Taffy Wright; Alex Kellner; Joe Coleman; Lou Brissie; Dick Fowler; Carl Scheib; Bobby Shantz.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
signer
Mack, Connie
Frost, Eddie
Fox, Nellie
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.129
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.129
Baseball signed by the 1933 New York Giants.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1933 New York Giants. That season the Giants went 91-61, winning the National League and beating the Washington Senators in the World Series 4 games to 1.
Autographs include Mel Ott; Carl Hubbell; Bill Terry; Hughie Critz; Blondy Ryan; Johnny Vergez; Kiddo Davis; Jo-Jo Moore; Gus Mancuso; Lefty O'Doul; Sam Leslie; Hal Schumacher; Freddie Fitzsimmons; Roy Parmelee; Hi Bell; Dolf Luque.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1933
associated institution
New York Giants
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.136
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.136
Baseball signed by the 1949 Chicago White Sox.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1949 Chicago White Sox. That season the White Sox finished 63-91, 6th in the American League.
Autographs include Luke Appling; Steve "Bud" Souchock; Ed Klieman; Fred Hancock; Mickey Haefner; Cass Michaels; Eddie Malone; Billy Pierce; Don Wheeler; Bob Kuzava; Floyd Baker; Howie Judson; Randy Gumpert; Marino "Chick" Pieretti; Ray Berres; Buster Mills.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
associated institution
Chicago White Sox
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.118
accession number
CL*310547
catalog number
CL*310547.118
Baseball signed by the 1949 Boston Red Sox.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1949 Boston Red Sox. That season, the Red Sox finished 86-58, 2nd in the American League.
Autographs include Billy Goodman; Bobby Doerr; Vern Stephens; Johnny Pesky; Al Zarilla; Dom DiMaggio; Ted Williams; Birdie Tebbetts; Matt Batts; Mel Parnell; Ellis Kinder; Joe Dobson; Chuck Stobbs; Jack Kramer; Walt Masterson.
Location
Currently not on view
signer
McCarthy, Joe
DiMaggio, Dom
Doerr, Bob
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.133
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.133
Baseball signed by the 1943 New York Yankees. That season the Yankees finished 98-56, winning the World Series over the St.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1943 New York Yankees. That season the Yankees finished 98-56, winning the World Series over the St. Louis Cardinals 4 games to 1.
Autographs include Joe McCarthy; Spud Chandler; Joe Gordon; Frank Crosetti; Bill Dickey; Billy Johnson; Nick Etten; Charlie Keller; Tuck Stainback; Johnny Lindell; Bud Metheny; Marius Russo; Hank Borowy; Tiny Bonham; Roy Weatherly; Snuffy Stirnweiss.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1943
associated institution
New York Yankees
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.124
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.124
Baseball signed by the 1949 Philadelphia Phillies.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1949 Philadelphia Phillies. That season the Phillies finished 81-73, 3rd in the National League.
Autographs include Schoolboy Rowe; Curt Simmons; Stan Lopato; Robin Roberts; Dick Sisler; Eddie Miller; Granny Hamner; Willie Jones; Bill Nicholson; Richie Ashburn; Del Ennis; Andy Seminick; Stan Hollmig; Eddie Waitkus; Mike Goliat; Buddy Blattner; Ken Heintzelman; Russ Meyer; Hank Borowy; Curt Simmons; Jim Konstanty.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
associated institution
Philadelphia Phillies
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.135
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.135
Baseball signed by the 1949 Cincinnati Reds.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1949 Cincinnati Reds. That season, the Reds finished 62-92, 7th in the National League.
Autographs include Dixie Howell; Bucky Waters; Ted Kluszewski; Jimmy Bloodworth; Virgil Stallcup; Grady Hatton; Johnny Wyrostek; Lloyd Merriman; Peanuts Lowrey; Walker Cooper; Harry Walker; Danny Litwhiler; Bobby Adams; Dixie Howell; Ken Raffensberger; Howie Fox; Herm Wehmeier; Johny Vander Meer; Eddie Erautt; Buddy Lively; Ewell Blackwell.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
associated institution
Cincinnati Reds
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.142
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.142
Autographed baseball signed by the 1949 Detroit Tigers.
Description
Autographed baseball signed by the 1949 Detroit Tigers. That season the Tigers finished 87-67, 4th in the American League.
Autographs include Johnny Groth; Paul Campbell; Neil Berry; Johnny Lipon; George Kell; Vic Wertz; Johnny Groth; Hoot Evers; Aaron Robinson; Don Kolloway; Pat Mullin; Eddie Lake; Bob Swift; Hal Newhouser; Virgil Trucks; Art Houtteman; Ted Gray; Fred Hutchinson; Dizzy Trout; Red Rolfe.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
associated institution
Detroit Tigers
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.121
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.121
Baseball signed by the 1943 St. Louis Cardinals.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1943 St. Louis Cardinals. That season the Cardinals finished 105-49, 1st in the National League, losing to the New York Yankees in the World Series 4 games to 1.
Autographs include Stan Musial; Lou Klein; Whitey Kurowski; Harry Walker; Walker Cooper; Ray Sanders; Danny Litwhiler; Marty Marion; Mort Cooper; Debs Garms; Johnny Hopp; Max Lanier; Al Brazle; Ken O'Dea; Frank Demaree; Sam Narron; Ernie White.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1943
signer
Musial, Stan
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.151
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.151
Baseball signed by players and coaches who played on the Milwaukee Braves during the 1950s.Autographs include Mel Roach; Bucky Waters; Ed Mathews; John Logan; George Crowe; Danny O'Connell; Hank Aaron; Bill Bruton; Bobby Thomson; Del Crandall; Joe Adcock; Andy Pafko; Chuck Tanner
Description
Baseball signed by players and coaches who played on the Milwaukee Braves during the 1950s.
Autographs include Mel Roach; Bucky Waters; Ed Mathews; John Logan; George Crowe; Danny O'Connell; Hank Aaron; Bill Bruton; Bobby Thomson; Del Crandall; Joe Adcock; Andy Pafko; Chuck Tanner; Warren Spahn; Lew Burdette; Bob Buhl; Gene Conley; Chet Nichols; Ray Crone; Ernie Johnson.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1955
associated institution
Milwaukee Brewers
maker
Spalding
ID Number
CL.310547.160
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.160
Baseball signed by the 1957 Milwaukee Braves. That year the Braves finished 95-59, 1st in the National League.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1957 Milwaukee Braves. That year the Braves finished 95-59, 1st in the National League. The team defeated the New York Yankees to win the World Series 4 games to 3.
Autographs include Warren Spahn; Satchel Paige; Johnny Sain; Eddie Mathews; Del Crandall; Red Schoendienst; Joe Adcock; Andy Pafko; Bob Hazle; Frank Torre; Felix Mantilla; Lew Burdette; Del Rice; Carl Sawatski; Nippy Jones; Juan Pizarro; Ernie Johnson; Bob Buhl; John DeMerit.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1957
maker
Spalding
ID Number
CL.310547.146
catalog number
310547.146
accession number
310547
Baseball signed by the 1949 Pittsburgh Pirates.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1949 Pittsburgh Pirates. That season, the Pirates finished 71-83, 6th in the National League.
Autographs include Johnny Hopp; Monty Basgall; Stan Rojek; Pete Castiglione; Wally Westlake; Dino Restelli; Ralph Kiner; Clyde McCollough; Danny Murtaugh; Ed Stevens; Eddie Bockman; Tom Saffell; Dixie Walker; Ed Fitz Gerald; Murry Dickson; Bill Werle; Lefty Chambers; Bob Chesnes; Vic Lombardi; Eddie Bonham; Elmer Riddle; Hugh Casey; Billy Meyer.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
associated institution
Pittsburg Pirates
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.140
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.140
Autographed baseball signed by the 1949 Washington Senators.
Description
Autographed baseball signed by the 1949 Washington Senators. That season the Senators finished 50-104, 8th in the American League.
Autographs include Eddie Robinson; Al Kozar; Sam Dente; Eddie Yost; Bud Stewart; Clyde Vollmer; Gil Coan; Al Evans; Sherry Robertson; Sam Mele; Buddy Lewis; Sid Hudson; Ray Scarborough; Paul Calvert; Mickey Harris; Lloyd Hittle; Joe Haynes; Dick Weik; Mickey Haefner; Joe Kuhel.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
associated institution
Washington Senators
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.115
accession number
CL*310547
catalog number
CL*310547.115
Baseball signed by the 1949 New York Yankees.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1949 New York Yankees. That year the Yankees won the American League with a 97-57 record, winning the World Series by beating the Brooklyn Dodgers 4 games to 1.
Autographs include Joe DiMaggio; Yogi Berra; Joe Page; Allie Reynolds; Bobby Brown; Tommy Henrich; Jerry Coleman; Phil Rizzuto; Hank Bauer; Cliff Mapes; Gene Woodling; Billy Johnson; Johnny Lindell; Dick Kryhoski; Snuffy Stirnweiss; Vic Raschi; Eddie Lopat; Tommy Byrne; Joe Page; Fred Sanford.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
associated institution
New York Yankees
signer
DiMaggio, Joe
Berra, Yogi
Page, Joe
Reynolds, Allie
Brown, Bobby
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.125
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.125
Baseball signed by the 1949 St. Louis Browns.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1949 St. Louis Browns. That season the Browns finished 53-101, 7th in the American League.
Autographs include Zack Taylor; Roy Sievers; Jack Graham; Jerry Priddy; Eddie Pellagrini; Bob Dillinger; Dick Kokos; Stan Spence; Roy Sievers; Sherm Lollar; Paul Lehner; Les Moss; Whitey Platt; John Sullivan; Ned Garver; Bill Kennedy; Cliff Fannin; Al Papai; Joe Ostrowski; Karl Drews; Red Embree; Tom Ferrick.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
associated institution
St. Louis Browns
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.116
accession number
CL*310547
catalog number
CL*310547.116
Baseball signed by the 1949 New York Giants.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1949 New York Giants. That season the Giants finished 73-81, 5th in the National League.
Autographs include Leo Durocher; Bob Thomson; Sam Webb; Don Mueller; Johnny Mize; Hank Thompson; Buddy Kerr; Sid Gordon; Willard Marshall; Whitey Lockman; Wes Westrum; Bill Rigney; Jack Lohrke; Ray Mueller; Walker Cooper; Larry Jansen; Monty Kennedy; Dave Koslo; Sheldon Jones.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
associated institution
New York Giants
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.137
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.137
Baseball signed by the 1950 Chicago Cubs. That season the Cubs finished 64-89, finishing 7th in National League.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1950 Chicago Cubs. That season the Cubs finished 64-89, finishing 7th in National League. While the ball is marked "Cubs-1949," the autographs correspond to the 1950 Chicago Cubs team.
Autographs include Frank Frisch; Preston Ward; Wayne Terwilliger; Roy Smalley; Bill Serena; Bob Borkowski; Andy Pafko; Hank Sauer; Mickey Owen; Phil Cavarretta; Rube Walker; Carmen Mauro; Hal Jeffcoat; Ron Northey; Hank Edwards; Bob Rush; Johnny Schmitz; Paul Minner; Frank Hiller; Monk Dubiel; Doyle Lade; Johnny Klippstein; Dutch Leonard.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
associated institution
Chicago Cubs
maker
Spalding
ID Number
CL.310547.157
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.157
Black and white photograph of Ben Levine, manager of the Metroplitan Association A.A.U. Boxing Team, receiving the Point Trophy upon winning the team trophy at the National Boxing Championships in April of 1952.
Description (Brief)
Black and white photograph of Ben Levine, manager of the Metroplitan Association A.A.U. Boxing Team, receiving the Point Trophy upon winning the team trophy at the National Boxing Championships in April of 1952. Levine is receiving the trophy from Charles Ivers of the Dilboy Post. Levine was a participant in the development of amateur sports competition from 1902 as a boy of 13 when he went to work for James Sullivan, President of the Amateur Athletic Union until his retirement from the A.A.U. in 1968. Levine's primary contribution was to Amateur boxing, which he first promoted prior to 1920. He staged the first Golden Gloves and was the Assistant Manager of te U.S. Boxing teams at the 1924 and 1928 Olympic Games and an international jurist in boxing at the Olympics in 1932.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1952
depicted (sitter)
Levine, Ben
ID Number
1991.0049.31
accession number
1991.0049
catalog number
1991.0049.31
This 9-inch square board with 32 holes was made for playing Fox and Geese, a game of strategy between two players. The 19 pegs representing geese and a single longer peg for the fox are long gone from this particular board made in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
Description
This 9-inch square board with 32 holes was made for playing Fox and Geese, a game of strategy between two players. The 19 pegs representing geese and a single longer peg for the fox are long gone from this particular board made in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Fox and Geese was among the games played by fishermen during idle times on sailing schooners working in the North Atlantic fisheries. This board was part of a display on “Habits of Fishermen,” at the International Fisheries Exhibition in London in 1883. Other games in the display, all from Gloucester, included cards, a checkerboard, backgammon, and a diamond puzzle.
The rules of play for Fox and Geese are simple: one player controls the fox, while the other controls the geese. The fox can move in a straight line in any direction and, as it jumps over geese, the geese are removed from the board. To win, the fox must break through the entire line of geese. The geese are only allowed to move forward or sideways. To win, they must corner the fox so it cannot move.
The Oxford English Dictionary cites a 1633 reference to the game from a play called Fine Companion by Shackerley Marmion: “Let him sit in the shop . . . and let him play at fox and geese with the foreman.” The game was played in colonial America and, with minor variations, well into the 19th and 20th centuries.
This game board was one of several items donated to the Smithsonian by Capt. George Merchant Jr., of Gloucester.
Location
Currently not on view (Pegs from gameboard)
Date made
1883
ID Number
AG.057950
catalog number
057950
accession number
12158
“The Say Hey Kid” Willie Howard Mays Jr. (b.1931) began his career in the Negro Leagues (1947) before joining the Major League’s New York Giants in 1951.
Description
“The Say Hey Kid” Willie Howard Mays Jr. (b.1931) began his career in the Negro Leagues (1947) before joining the Major League’s New York Giants in 1951. Excepting time in military service (1952-1953,) the exuberant center fielder became a mainstay of the Giants, who relocated to San Francisco in 1958. In 1973 Mays signed with the New York Mets, where he would play his final two seasons.
Mays started his Major League career by winning the 1951 National League Rookie of the Year Award. A two time National League Most Valuable Player (1954, 1965) Mays led the Giants to victory in the 1954 World Series, where in game one, he famously caught a ball, hit by Cleveland Indian Vic Wertz, over his shoulder. Now simply referred to in baseball lore as “The Catch,” the play is the best remembered of the many defensive efforts that earned the speedy outfielder 12 gold gloves to go along with his 24 All Star Game recognitions.
Mays finished his career with .302 batting average, 3,283 hits, 660 home runs, 1,903 runs batted in, and 338 stolen bases. One of the greatest all-around players the sport has ever seen, Mays was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979. In 2015 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1970-1972
user
Mays, Willie
ID Number
2017.0084.13
accession number
2017.0084
catalog number
2017.0084.13

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