Sports & Leisure

Tennis Racket

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.

Topic: Yo-Yos

Duncan Tournament Yo-Yo

This green wooden "Duncan Tournament" yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company from about 1960-1965. It is known as a “crossed flags” model, because of its gold leaf stamped seal featuring two crossed flags.
Description (Brief)
This green wooden "Duncan Tournament" yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company from about 1960-1965. It is known as a “crossed flags” model, because of its gold leaf stamped seal featuring two crossed flags. The yo-yo is an example from the last wooden "Duncan Tournament" line produced before Duncan went bankrupt in 1965. .
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2007.0158.12
accession number
2007.0158
catalog number
2007.0158.12

Wooden Mexico Yo-Yo

Green, hand-carved wooden yo-yo reading “Mexico.”Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Green, hand-carved wooden yo-yo reading “Mexico.”
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2007.0158.11
accession number
2007.0158
catalog number
2007.0158.11

Hummingbird Starburst Yo-Yo

This "Hummingbird Starburst" was made by Hummingbird To Co., Ltd. in the 1980s. It is light-blue with a star design featuring five embedded jewels.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This "Hummingbird Starburst" was made by Hummingbird To Co., Ltd. in the 1980s. It is light-blue with a star design featuring five embedded jewels.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hummingbird
ID Number
2007.0158.33
accession number
2007.0158
catalog number
2007.0158.33

Gorham Silver Yo-Yo

This metal yo-yo was made by the Gorham Manufacturing Company in the 1970s. It has flat sides and a sterling silver shell. The yo-yo features an ornate repousse leaf pattern and is engraved at the center.
Description (Brief)
This metal yo-yo was made by the Gorham Manufacturing Company in the 1970s. It has flat sides and a sterling silver shell. The yo-yo features an ornate repousse leaf pattern and is engraved at the center. The Gorham Manufacturing Company was originally founded in Rhode Island in 1831 as a sterling silver maker.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1970s
maker
Gorham
ID Number
2002.0246.07
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.07

Coca-Cola Bob Rola World Champion Yo-Yo

This plastic yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s. It has a pink body and clear rounded sides. It features an image of yo-yo champion Bob Rola on one half and multi-colored dots on the other.
Description (Brief)
This plastic yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s. It has a pink body and clear rounded sides. It features an image of yo-yo champion Bob Rola on one half and multi-colored dots on the other. It reads “Duncan Yo-Yo for Coca-Cola World Champion,” and “Best Wishes, Bob Rola.”
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.37
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.37

Duncan Yo-Yo Contest Pin

This round metal pin was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s. It is red and white and reads “Are your Kids in the Yo-Yo Contest.” Duncan often held contests and demonstrations to generate interest and sales.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This round metal pin was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1950s. It is red and white and reads “Are your Kids in the Yo-Yo Contest.” Duncan often held contests and demonstrations to generate interest and sales.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.67
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.67

Stinger Yo-Yo

This plastic yo-yo was made by Small Minds Press in 1996. Called the Stinger, it remains unopened on a display card. It has indented flat sides. A real scorpion has been embedded inside of one half.
Description (Brief)
This plastic yo-yo was made by Small Minds Press in 1996. Called the Stinger, it remains unopened on a display card. It has indented flat sides. A real scorpion has been embedded inside of one half. There is educational information about scorpions on the reverse of the card.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1996
maker
Small Minds Press
ID Number
2002.0246.51
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.51

Royal Thunderbird Yo-Yo

This wooden "Thunderbird" model yo-yo was made by the Royal Tops Manufacturing Company in 1962. It features Royal's crown and chevron logo.
Description (Brief)
This wooden "Thunderbird" model yo-yo was made by the Royal Tops Manufacturing Company in 1962. It features Royal's crown and chevron logo. The yo-yo is in a blister pack that reads “Precision designed by the original Filipino yo-yo experts to rigid tournament specifications,” and “Be a Champion…and win a Prize!” Eight different tricks are listed on the back of the card.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1962
maker
Royal Tops Manufacturing Co.
ID Number
2007.0158.01
accession number
2007.0158
catalog number
2007.0158.01

Cheerio Practice Yo-Yo

This type of wooden Cheerio brand yo-yo was made by Wilfred Schlee during the 1950s and 1960s in Ontario, Canada. It has flat sides and a pale green and white design.
Description (Brief)
This type of wooden Cheerio brand yo-yo was made by Wilfred Schlee during the 1950s and 1960s in Ontario, Canada. It has flat sides and a pale green and white design. There is a gold, red and black foil sticker on one side reading “Tested and Approved for Practice, Tournament Practice Cheerio, Return Top 25, By Official Worlds Champions.” Cheerio was the best selling yo-yo brand in Canada and England during the 1930s, and became one of the Duncan Toy Company's main U.S. competitors after World War II.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Cheerio
ID Number
2002.0246.18
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.18

Russell Australian Coca-Cola Yo-Yo

This plastic yo-yo was manufactured by the Jack Russell Company during the 1960s.
Description (Brief)
This plastic yo-yo was manufactured by the Jack Russell Company during the 1960s. It has white sides which read, “Genuine Russell Yo-Yo, Made in Australia, Pause for Coke, Trademark Registered, Be Really Refreshed, Championship.” Jack Russell began his career as a Duncan yo-yo professional before creating a foreign promotions company for the Duncan Toys Company in the early 1950s. In 1958 Russell formed his own promotional firm which primarily worked with the Coca-Cola Company. This is an example of an Australian Coca-Cola promotion.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1960s-1980s
maker
Russell
ID Number
2002.0246.26
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.26

Joe Namath Professional Yo-Yo

This white plastic yo-yo was made by the Union Wadding Company of Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1975. It features a central color photograph of NFL quarterback Joe Namath (1943- .) The display card is shaped and colored like a football.
Description (Brief)
This white plastic yo-yo was made by the Union Wadding Company of Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1975. It features a central color photograph of NFL quarterback Joe Namath (1943- .) The display card is shaped and colored like a football. The card's back features yo-yo instructions as well as a discount offer for the Joe Namath Instructional Football Camp.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1976
depicted (sitter)
Namath, Joe
ID Number
2007.0158.05
accession number
2007.0158
catalog number
2007.0158.05

Oriental Trading Company American Flag Yo-Yo

This steel yo-yo was made by the Oriental Trading Company in the 1990s. This yo-yo has flat sides and a red, white, and blue American flag design on both halves.
Description (Brief)
This steel yo-yo was made by the Oriental Trading Company in the 1990s. This yo-yo has flat sides and a red, white, and blue American flag design on both halves. The Oriental Trading Company, begun as a gift shop in Omaha, is a large wholesale company that sells arts and crafts, toys and novelties.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1990s
maker
Oriental Trading Company
ID Number
2002.0246.08
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.08

SAMCO Italian Coca-Cola Yo-Yo

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

Baltimore Bullets Basketball Yo-Yo

This plastic yo-yo produced by Festival during the early 1970s resembles a basketball. It features the logo of the Baltimore Bullets NBA franchise. This example was given out as a promotion at Bullets games.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This plastic yo-yo produced by Festival during the early 1970s resembles a basketball. It features the logo of the Baltimore Bullets NBA franchise. This example was given out as a promotion at Bullets games.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2007.0158.29
accession number
2007.0158
catalog number
2007.0158.29

Duncan Shrieking Sonic Satellite Yo-Yo

This wooden yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1960s. It is displayed on a white, teal, and black display card. The yo-yo has rounded sides with a red glitter and white rims. There are holes through both rims that creates a whistling sound when spun.
Description (Brief)
This wooden yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys Company in the 1960s. It is displayed on a white, teal, and black display card. The yo-yo has rounded sides with a red glitter and white rims. There are holes through both rims that creates a whistling sound when spun. This model was part of Duncan’s "Satellite" line, inspired by the era's space race.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1960s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.50
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.50

Duncan Beginner Yo-Yo

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

No-Jive Mandala Yo-Yo

This "No-Jive Mandala" yo-yo was made by Tom Kuhn during the 1990s. It features a laser carved seal of a two overlapping star shapes. The No-Jive models could be taken apart and their faces flipped to change them from a standard yo-yo to a butterfly.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This "No-Jive Mandala" yo-yo was made by Tom Kuhn during the 1990s. It features a laser carved seal of a two overlapping star shapes. The No-Jive models could be taken apart and their faces flipped to change them from a standard yo-yo to a butterfly.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2007.0158.18
accession number
2007.0158
catalog number
2007.0158.18

Duncan Imperial Yo-Yo

This plastic Duncan Imperial yo-yo was made in the early 1960s. It has a marbled design hot-stamped with a fleur-de-lis.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This plastic Duncan Imperial yo-yo was made in the early 1960s. It has a marbled design hot-stamped with a fleur-de-lis.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1960s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.29
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.29

Buzz Lightyear Yo-Yo

This red and yellow plastic yo-yo was made by Disney Pixar around 1999. The yo-yo has a holographic image of the Pixar character Buzz Lightyear from the film Toy Story 2 on one side, and the word ”BUZZ” on the other.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This red and yellow plastic yo-yo was made by Disney Pixar around 1999. The yo-yo has a holographic image of the Pixar character Buzz Lightyear from the film Toy Story 2 on one side, and the word ”BUZZ” on the other.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2007.0158.31
accession number
2007.0158
catalog number
2007.0158.31

Festival Bowling Ball Yo-Yo

This plastic yo-yo was made by Festival in the 1970s. It is colored silver and is meant to resemble a bowling ball. It is part of Festival’s "Professional Model" line which made yo-yo that looked like various sports balls.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This plastic yo-yo was made by Festival in the 1970s. It is colored silver and is meant to resemble a bowling ball. It is part of Festival’s "Professional Model" line which made yo-yo that looked like various sports balls.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2007.0158.22
accession number
2007.0158
catalog number
2007.0158.22

Festival Donald Duck Yo-Yo

This blue plastic yo-yo was made by Festival during the 1970s. It features an image of Walt Disney cartoon character Donald Duck.
Description (Brief)
This blue plastic yo-yo was made by Festival during the 1970s. It features an image of Walt Disney cartoon character Donald Duck. Festival, a division of the Union Wadding Company, had a license with Disney during the 1970s to produce a line featuring the company's characters.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2007.0158.28
accession number
2007.0158
catalog number
2007.0158.28

Duncan Litening Yo-Yo

This wooden yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys company from 1956-1959. The overall crackle design was created through a double-coat painting process. The sticker reads “Duncan ‘Litening’ Yo-Yo Top”.
Description (Brief)
This wooden yo-yo was made by the Duncan Toys company from 1956-1959. The overall crackle design was created through a double-coat painting process. The sticker reads “Duncan ‘Litening’ Yo-Yo Top”. This was one of the first yo-yos to be packaged and sold upon a blister card.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2002.0246.15
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.15

Hummingbird Smothers Brothers Yo-Yo

This wooden "Smothers Brothers" yo-yo was made by the Hummingbird Toy Company in 1988. The yo-yo is unopened upon its original yellow, red and black display card that also holds an owner’s manual.
Description (Brief)
This wooden "Smothers Brothers" yo-yo was made by the Hummingbird Toy Company in 1988. The yo-yo is unopened upon its original yellow, red and black display card that also holds an owner’s manual. Silhouette images of the brothers holding musical instruments are printed on the card. The yo-yo has flat sides and a stamped drawing of Dick Smothers (1939- ). The Smothers Brothers were a duo 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
1988
depicted
Smothers Brothers
maker
Hummingbird Toy Company, Ltd.
ID Number
2002.0246.52
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.52

Hummingbird OhZone Yo-Yo

This wooden "Oh!Zone" yo-yo was made by the Hummingbird Toy Company around 1992. It is orange with a black paint-drip design running through the center. A version appearing in the film "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2" (1991) popularized the modelCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
This wooden "Oh!Zone" yo-yo was made by the Hummingbird Toy Company around 1992. It is orange with a black paint-drip design running through the center. A version appearing in the film "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2" (1991) popularized the model
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hummingbird
ID Number
2007.0158.14
accession number
2007.0158
catalog number
2007.0158.14

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