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: Children

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

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

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

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

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

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

Goofy Foot Skateboard

The ‘Goofy Foot Sidewalk Surfer’ from NASH, shown here, was one of the original, mass produced skateboards of the late 1960s. This was sold in toy stores and marketed to kids as a toy.
Description (Brief)
The ‘Goofy Foot Sidewalk Surfer’ from NASH, shown here, was one of the original, mass produced skateboards of the late 1960s. This was sold in toy stores and marketed to kids as a toy. The plastic wheels and metal ball bearings made riding dangerous and only the skilled rider could perform tricks or rode downhill with any success. It wasn't until 1970 with the introduction of the urethane wheel by Frank Nasworthy, that skateboarding became a legitimate competition sport. The urethane wheel provided a smooth ride and enabled skaters to go faster and maneuver the skateboard in ways they couldn’t with the cumbersome metal, clay or plastic wheel.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1960 - 1969
maker
Nash
ID Number
1992.0116.01
catalog number
1992.0116.01
accession number
1992.0116

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

Bunny Martin Yo-Yo

This dark brown wooden yo-yo was made by the Wallace Toy Company in the 1990s. Wallace built this example for yo-yo-entertainer and competitor Bunny Martin. The front features a gold embossed silhouette of a rabbit at center and the words “Martin Yo-Yo”.
Description (Brief)
This dark brown wooden yo-yo was made by the Wallace Toy Company in the 1990s. Wallace built this example for yo-yo-entertainer and competitor Bunny Martin. The front features a gold embossed silhouette of a rabbit at center and the words “Martin Yo-Yo”. The back has Martin's signature and “World Champion” printed around the rim.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2007.0158.19
accession number
2007.0158
catalog number
2007.0158.19

Duncan Wheels Long-Spin Yo-Yo

This plastic "Duncan Long-Spin" yo-yo was made by Flambeau Products in the 1980s. Made to resemble tires and rims, Duncan's "wheel" models were popular due to their long spin times.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This plastic "Duncan Long-Spin" yo-yo was made by Flambeau Products in the 1980s. Made to resemble tires and rims, Duncan's "wheel" models were popular due to their long spin times.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Duncan
ID Number
2007.0158.23
accession number
2007.0158
catalog number
2007.0158.23

Toss front Center Field, Little League

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1992
associated date
1993
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2018.0193.0006
accession number
2018.0193
catalog number
2018.0193.0006

Scrapbook

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
ca 1880
ID Number
DL.301846.0001
catalog number
301846.0001
accession number
301846

World Map Yo-Yo

This type of tin yo-yo was produced around 1990 by several different manufacturers. It features a colorful world map lithograph.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This type of tin yo-yo was produced around 1990 by several different manufacturers. It features a colorful world map lithograph.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2007.0158.21
accession number
2007.0158
catalog number
2007.0158.21

American Spinners Yo-Yo

This wooden yo-yo was made by the American Spinners Yo-Yo Corporation. It is black with a red, yellow and green speckle design on both sides.
Description (Brief)
This wooden yo-yo was made by the American Spinners Yo-Yo Corporation. It is black with a red, yellow and green speckle design on both sides. Clear, oval-shaped plastic packaging reads “American’s Best One Piece Wooden Yo-Yo.” American Spinners was founded in 1988.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2007.0158.07
accession number
2007.0158
catalog number
2007.0158.07

The Great International Caledonian Games Held at Jones Woods, New York City, July 1st, 1867 ... 1868

Colored print of Scottish Games. Proof before letters. A ring of spectators, many dressed in kilts with bagpipes, surrounding participants engaged in a variety of games on an open field. Tents in background.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Colored print of Scottish Games. Proof before letters. A ring of spectators, many dressed in kilts with bagpipes, surrounding participants engaged in a variety of games on an open field. Tents in background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1868
publisher
Kelly & Whitehill
maker
Giles, John Lawrence
printer
Hart, Charles
ID Number
DL.60.2404
catalog number
60.2404
accession number
228146

Hummingbird OhZone Yo-Yo

This wooden "Oh!Zone" yo-yo was made by the Hummingbird Toy Company around 1992. It is green with a yellow paint-drip design running through the center. A version appearing in the film "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2" (1991) popularized the model.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This wooden "Oh!Zone" yo-yo was made by the Hummingbird Toy Company around 1992. It is green with a yellow 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
2007.0158.13
accession number
2007.0158
catalog number
2007.0158.13

Speech by President John F. Kennedy to the Kennedy Foundation Mental Retardation Group

Speech by President John F. Kennedy to the Kennedy Foundation Mental Retardation Group and given to Mary Hammerbacher (Manner) as a counselor at Camp Shriver, 1962.Camp Shriver began in Eunice Shriver’s backyard at her Timberlawn estate in 1962.
Description (Brief)
Speech by President John F. Kennedy to the Kennedy Foundation Mental Retardation Group and given to Mary Hammerbacher (Manner) as a counselor at Camp Shriver, 1962.
Camp Shriver began in Eunice Shriver’s backyard at her Timberlawn estate in 1962. Shriver, the sister of President John F. Kennedy and Rose, an intellectually disabled sister, decided to hold a day camp for intellectually disabled kids from DC and Maryland. The high school age counselors were taught how to teach the campers different skills through play and introduced them to horseback riding, swimming, canoeing and group games, many of the campers experiencing these activities for the first time. Camp Shriver continued each summer until 1968 when the first Special Olympics Games were held in Chicago which has grown into the largest organization for intellectually disabled athletes in the world. Mary Hammerbacher (Manner) applied to be a volunteer at the camp through her parochial high school and worked there from 1962-1967.
From its beginnings as Camp Shriver in Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s backyard, to the first international games in 1968, Special Olympics has been about giving people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in sport. This participation builds confidence, provides emotional support and offers social opportunities for the athletes and their families. With state chapters and a global presence through its World Games, “Special Olympics is the largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities with 5 million athletes in 170 countries worldwide.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1964
user
Manner, Mary H.
ID Number
2017.0239.10
accession number
2017.0239
catalog number
2017.0239.10

Street Baseball, Caracas

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1992
associated date
1993
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2018.0193.0005
accession number
2018.0193
catalog number
2018.0193.0005

Tom Kuhn DDS Yo-Yo

This white wooden yo-yo was made by Tom Kuhn around 1995 to advertise his dental practice. Its front side features an image of Kuhn, a.k.a. “Dr. Yo,” and the text "Celebrating 25 years at 2383 California St. 1970-2995". The back reads "Tom Kuhn YOYO San Francisco est.
Description (Brief)
This white wooden yo-yo was made by Tom Kuhn around 1995 to advertise his dental practice. Its front side features an image of Kuhn, a.k.a. “Dr. Yo,” and the text "Celebrating 25 years at 2383 California St. 1970-2995". The back reads "Tom Kuhn YOYO San Francisco est. 1977."
Kuhn was first introduced to yo-yoing by the legendary "Mr. Yo-Yo," Bob Rule. He was given the nickname of "Dr. Yo" by Tom Smothers of the Smothers Brothers. Kuhn is known as the father of the modern yo-yo due to his invention of 3-in-1 design and sticker response system.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2007.0158.17
accession number
2007.0158
catalog number
2007.0158.17

Hallmark Snoopy Yo-Yo

This white plastic yo-yo was made by Hallmark Cards Inc. in the 1980s. It features an image of the characters Snoopy and Woodstock from the comic strip Peanuts.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This white plastic yo-yo was made by Hallmark Cards Inc. in the 1980s. It features an image of the characters Snoopy and Woodstock from the comic strip Peanuts.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2007.0158.32
accession number
2007.0158
catalog number
2007.0158.32

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