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.

Date: 1980s

The John Curry Skating Company program, 1983

Color program from the 1983 John Curry Skating Company.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Color program from the 1983 John Curry Skating Company.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1983
ID Number
2017.3021.098
nonaccession number
2017.3021
catalog number
2017.3021.098

St. Louis Cardinals Jersey, worn by Ozzie Smith

Osborne Ozzie Smith (b. 1954) played shortstop in the Major Leagues for the San Diego Padres (1978-1981,) before joining the St.
Description
Osborne Ozzie Smith (b. 1954) played shortstop in the Major Leagues for the San Diego Padres (1978-1981,) before joining the St. Louis Cardinals (1982-1996.) Beloved player by fans who delighted in his exuberance, Smith was a rarity who attained stardom primarily due to his defensive abilities.
One of the best fielding shortstops in history, Smith's amazing glove work led him to be known as The Wizard of Oz. Setting Major League records for assists and double plays at his position, the reliable Smith earned 13 gold glove recognitions and made 15 National League All Star Teams.
With Smith anchoring the infield, the Cardinals reached the World Series three times, winning in 1982. After retirement Smith has remained active in baseball and had been a television host, author and entrepreneur. He was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1986
user
Smith, Ozzie
maker
Rawlings
ID Number
2017.0084.09
accession number
2017.0084
catalog number
2017.0084.09

Washington Generals vs. Harlem Globetrotters

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1986-02-20
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.148
catalog number
2014.0112.148
accession number
2014.0112

A Very Special Christmas

Phonograph record entitled A Very Special Christmas produced in 1987 by Jimmy Loving as a tribute to his father. It is a compilation album with various music artists singing standard Christmas music as well as original compositions.
Description (Brief)
Phonograph record entitled A Very Special Christmas produced in 1987 by Jimmy Loving as a tribute to his father. It is a compilation album with various music artists singing standard Christmas music as well as original compositions. It is an ongoing series with nine records produced over the years. 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
1987
maker
A&M Records
ID Number
2017.0331.16
accession number
2017.0331
catalog number
2017.0331.16

Button from the 1984 Summer Olympic Games held in Los Angeles, California

Round pin-back button with a printed design of "LA 84 / I'm A Part if History" in lavendar, pink, orange and green.
Description (Brief)
Round pin-back button with a printed design of "LA 84 / I'm A Part if History" in lavendar, pink, orange and green. Korean printed within an orange band at top.
The 1984 Summer Olympics, also known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad were held in Los Angeles, California with 140 countries, 5,263 men and 1,566 women athletes participating. These Games were boycotted by fourteen countries, including the Soviet Union because of America’s boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. American Carl Lewis won four gold medals in track and field while Joan Benoit won gold for the U.S. in the first women’s marathon. Mary Lou Retton dominated women’s gymnastics becoming the first American to win the gymnastics all-around competition and the American men won the gold in the gymnastics team competition. With the addition of women’s only events of rhythmic gymnastics and synchronized swimming and the addition of women’s events in track and field, shooting and cycling, women athletes were just beginning to see results from Title IX legislation of twelve years prior. The United States won the medal count with 174.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1984
ID Number
1985.0297.17.3
accession number
1985.0297
catalog number
1985.0297.17.3

Karate matches

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1981-05-08
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.053
catalog number
2014.0112.053
accession number
2014.0112

Margo Oborg

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1981-11-25
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.070
catalog number
2014.0112.070
accession number
2014.0112

Louis "Red" Klotz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1986-02-20
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.161
catalog number
2014.0112.161
accession number
2014.0112

Autograph book used by Special Olympian Marty Sheets

Dark blue, hardcover book with white pages that are filled with celebrity and athlete autographs beginning in 1987 through 1995 and collected by Marty Sheets.
Description (Brief)
Dark blue, hardcover book with white pages that are filled with celebrity and athlete autographs beginning in 1987 through 1995 and collected by Marty Sheets. There are twelve white paper strips with autographs held together by a piece of black yarn placed in the back of the book.
Marty Sheets was born with Downs Syndrome in 1953 but through Camp Joy, a camp for kids with intellectual disabilities, he found a love of sports. Invited to participate in the first International Special Olympic Games in Chicago in 1968, Marty formed a life long bond with founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Over the course of the next 40 years Sheets won over 250 medals while competing in golf, swimming, Alpine skiing, tennis and power lifting. His favorite sport was golf and In 2006, he was the PGA’s national volunteer of the year for his work at the Wyndham Championship in his hometown of Greensboro, N.C. He is also included in the portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and other Special Olympians which now resides in the National Portrait Gallery collections.
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
1987
ID Number
2017.3064.01
nonaccession number
2017.3064
catalog number
2017.3064.01

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1989-01-12
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.112
catalog number
2014.0112.112
accession number
2014.0112

Margo Oborg

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1981-11-25
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.071
catalog number
2014.0112.071
accession number
2014.0112

Walt Frazier and Walt Frazier Jr.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1989-02-12
depicted (sitter)
Frazier, Walt
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.186
catalog number
2014.0112.186
accession number
2014.0112

Special Olympics 20th Anniversary clipboard belonging to Eunice Shriver

Special Olympics 20th Anniversary clipboard belonging to Eunice Shriver is white with blue printing on the back and front.
Description (Brief)
Special Olympics 20th Anniversary clipboard belonging to Eunice Shriver is white with blue printing on the back and front. This was created for the annual conference of 1998 in Reno, Nevada.
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
1988
ID Number
2017.0331.20
accession number
2017.0331
catalog number
2017.0331.20

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

A Salute to Special Olympic Athletes program, 1988

A Salute to Special Olympic Athletes program, 1988 is entitled, "They used to be called 'Retarded.
Description (Brief)
A Salute to Special Olympic Athletes program, 1988 is entitled, "They used to be called 'Retarded. Now they call them 'Champs."
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
1988
ID Number
2017.3156.03
nonaccession number
2017.3156
catalog number
2017.3156.03

Tony Hawk's Powell Peralta skateboard

This wood laminate skateboard displays Tony Hawk’s Birdhouse logo graphic designed by Vernon Cortlandt Johnson and was used by Tony Hawk in competitions during the mid-1980s.
Description (Brief)
This wood laminate skateboard displays Tony Hawk’s Birdhouse logo graphic designed by Vernon Cortlandt Johnson and was used by Tony Hawk in competitions during the mid-1980s. An archaic lapper band is attached to the rear truck and was used in 1980s vert skating to make the transition to the half pipe rail smoother. The wheels seen on the skateboard today are not original to the board -- these are modern SPF formula Bones wheels which were on the board when Tony donated the board at the "Quicksilver All '80's Vert Challenge in 2011. Tony Hawk began competing at age 12 and turned pro at 14. An innovative vert skater, Hawk competed in over 100 competitions before he was 25 and was the first to land a 900 in competition. Hawk retired in 1999 but continues to skate in exhibitions and demos. In that same year, Hawk created ‘Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater’ video game franchise which became one of the most popular video games in history. The Tony Hawk Foundation has funded over $5 million to over 550 skate park projects throughout the world.
Vernon Courtlandt Johnson joined Powell Peralta in 1978 and began creating many of the iconic images we see in skateboarding today. The skull imagery was prevalent in Courtlandt’s black and white ink drawings during this time as were the sword and dragon. The images reflected the philosophy of skating as individualistic, drawing on the powerful symbols of life and death to convey the skate community’s audacious spirit. Courtlandt created specific designs for each rider – Tony Hawk and his Birdhouse logo, Mike McGill and his snake and skull logo – producing a strong, almost personal bond to the athlete and his followers. Courtlandt’s images from the 1980s are much sought after by collectors as works of art. His designs today are creating a new allegiance of admirers.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1986
user
Hawk, Tony
ID Number
2011.0017.01
accession number
2011.0017
catalog number
2011.0017.01

Program for the 20th Anniversary of the Special Olympics belonging to Special Olympian Marty Sheets

Program for the 20th Anniversary of the Special Olympics belonging to Special Olympian Marty Sheets.Marty Sheets was born with Downs Syndrome in 1953 but through Camp Joy, a camp for kids with intellectual disabilities, he found a love of sports.
Description (Brief)
Program for the 20th Anniversary of the Special Olympics belonging to Special Olympian Marty Sheets.
Marty Sheets was born with Downs Syndrome in 1953 but through Camp Joy, a camp for kids with intellectual disabilities, he found a love of sports. Invited to participate in the first International Special Olympic Games in Chicago in 1968, Marty formed a life long bond with founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Over the course of the next 40 years Sheets won over 250 medals while competing in golf, swimming, Alpine skiing, tennis and power lifting. His favorite sport was golf and In 2006, he was the PGA’s national volunteer of the year for his work at the Wyndham Championship in his hometown of Greensboro, N.C. He is also included in the portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and other Special Olympians which now resides in the National Portrait Gallery collections.
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
1988
ID Number
2017.3064.13
nonaccession number
2017.3064
catalog number
2017.3064.13

Walt Frazier Jr.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1989-02-06
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.169
catalog number
2014.0112.169
accession number
2014.0112

Seattle Supersonics vs. New York Knicks

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1982
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.031
catalog number
2014.0112.031
accession number
2014.0112

Margo Oborg

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1981-11-25
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.068
catalog number
2014.0112.068
accession number
2014.0112

Schmitt Stix sticker

Rectangular shaped skateboarding sticker is white with 'Schmitt Stix The Ultimate Rails' printed in pink in the center of the sticker.
Description (Brief)
Rectangular shaped skateboarding sticker is white with 'Schmitt Stix The Ultimate Rails' printed in pink in the center of the sticker. Paul Schmitt of PS Stix, owns and operates one of the largest and most successful skateboard manufacturing companies in the United States and is known to many in the industry as 'Professor Schmitt". For almost 30 years Schmitt’s company has been considered an innovative leader in design and manufacturing of high quality skateboards.
Skateboard stickers have always played an important role in skateboard advertising especially in the late 1980s and early 90s when small skate companies were emerging. Skate companies used this inexpensive and visually appealing media to advertise their companies, board models, skate contests, and skate teams. The stickers were often offered free through magazine offers and at skate shops where the most sought after were kept behind the counter.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980s
user
Schmitt, Paul
ID Number
2013.0224.09.06
accession number
2013.0224
catalog number
2013.0224.09.6

Street Survival scrapbook

Scrapbook describing the making of the “Street Survival” video through photographs, a calendar of the shooting schedule, marketing strategies and notes. The scrapbook was created by Michael Hays, one of the directors of the “Street Survival” video.
Description (Brief)
Scrapbook describing the making of the “Street Survival” video through photographs, a calendar of the shooting schedule, marketing strategies and notes. The scrapbook was created by Michael Hays, one of the directors of the “Street Survival” video. "Street Survival" is an instructional video that teaches viewers rudimentary information about the sport & lifestyle of skateboarding and skateboarding tricks. The video was written, produced and directed by the donors George Leichtweis President and Producer of Reel Thing Productions, Inc. and Owner of Modern Skate and Surf Company; and Michael Hays Vice President and Director of Reel Thing Productions. Inc. and Manager of Modern Skate and Surf, Company. Before video was common, skateboarders had to rely on skate magazines to learn tricks through photographs. Videos, such as this one, revolutionized the way skaters learned tricks and increased the sport’s popularity worldwide.
The star of the video is Bill Danforth also known as "The American Nomad" for his compulsion to travel anywhere to skate. A Detroit native, Bill Danforth began skating in the 1970s with his first skate deck issued in 1986. He became a member of Tony Alva's skate team in the late 1980s and skated in Thrasher’s King of the Road in 2005. Danforth still skates and teaches today and is widely respected among old and new skaters for his resilience and natural ability.
Please follow this link to view the scrapbook in its entirety:
http://edan.si.edu/slideshow/slideshowViewer.htm?damspath=/Public_Sets/NMAH/NMAH-CIS/2015_3003_01
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980s
ID Number
2013.3045.03
nonaccession number
2013.3045
catalog number
2013.3045.03

Newsletter used by Rebecca Kittredge Rosenstein while a member of the Brown University gymnastic team

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1989
user
Rosenstein, Rebecca
ID Number
2020.0010.06.1
accession number
2020.0010
catalog number
2020.0010.06.1

Baseball, used in the 1983 Cracker Jack Old Timers Baseball Classic.

Baseball used in the 1983 Cracker Jack Old Timers Baseball Classic. The game was played at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. on July 18.Currently not on view
Description
Baseball used in the 1983 Cracker Jack Old Timers Baseball Classic. The game was played at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. on July 18.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1983
associated institution
Cracker Jack Old Timers Baseball Classic
maker
Rawlings
ID Number
1984.0229.01
accession number
1984.0229
catalog number
1984.0229.01

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