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.
890
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Chronodrometer or Horse Timing Watch
- Description
- This is a watch designed as a timer for horses. A horseracing craze in the 1850s influenced product designers at the American Watch Company in Waltham, Massachusetts, to add the chronodrometer (from the Greek roots: chrono - time, drom - running/race, meter - measure) to their line of conventional watches. The chronodrometer was the first mass-produced stopwatch.
- The chronodrometer's dial could mark quarter seconds, but it was unlike any other stopwatch in use then or now. A sweep hand in the center of the dial revolved once every four minutes; at the bottom of the dial, a small hand revolved once every four seconds. At the top was a conventional dial with numerals 1 through 12 and hour and minute hands for indicating the correct time of day. When the watch was used as a timer, the time train inconveniently stopped.
- Between 1858 and 1861, the American Watch Company made about four hundred chronodrometers-not a huge number by mass-production standards. The stopwatch sold for $50, compared to $150 to $250 for a high-grade import. At that time, stopwatches of any kind were still rare.
- The American Watch Company had been launched in 1849 in a corner of the Howard & Davis clock factory in Roxbury, near Boston, where Edward Howard and Aaron Dennison experimented with completely new designs for watches and the machines to make them. Howard, a clockmaker, had absorbed techniques for the mass production of firearms with interchangeable parts during a visit to the Springfield Armory. Why not, he thought, try it with watches? With expert help from a cadre of experienced mechanicians and funding from Howard's father-in-law, the Boston mirror maker Samuel Curtis, the enterprise got under way.
- From shaky beginnings as America's first watch business, the Waltham firm would go on to pioneer mass-production techniques and teach the rest of the world how to make watches by machine. Waltham remained an important innovative force in both watch and machinery design for the rest of the century. The firm's success spawned a raft of competitors, and the American watch industry began to turn out movements and watches by the millions.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1859
- patent date
- 1859-02-08
- manufacturer
- American Waltham Watch Co.
- ID Number
- ME.316148
- catalog number
- 316148
- accession number
- 225117
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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McClellan's Chess Set
- Description
- Physical Description
- Wooden box covered with black paper. Inscribed on the cover “Geo. B. McClellan.” Paper label on the inside of cover bearing maker's name and address “Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, 19 Maiden Lane, New York.” One white pawn and one black knight are missing.
- Specific History
- Used by George McClellan during the Civil War.
- date made
- 1860
- user
- McClellan, George B.
- maker
- Schuyler, Hartley & Graham
- ID Number
- AF.17501
- catalog number
- 17501
- accession number
- 61384
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Bone Dice
- Description
- Gambling usually was banned aboard whaling ships, on the grounds that it could cause too much strife among the crew. But “bones” or dice were easily concealed from a ship’s officers, and crews found out-of-the-way places to spend their free time wagering their earnings, tobacco, or other assets.
- date made
- 1800s
- ID Number
- AG.024849.1
- accession number
- 1875.4423
- catalog number
- 24849.1
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Fox and Geese Game Board
- 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.
- Date made
- 1883
- ID Number
- AG.057950
- catalog number
- 057950
- accession number
- 12158
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Hyatt Celluloid Billiard Ball
- 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. Though he eventually achieved success with his new material, forming the Celluloid Manufacturing Co. in 1871, it seems he never received the $10,000 award.
- The ball is mounted on a walnut stand and has 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
- 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
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Baseball, signed by the 1935 Washington Senators
- Description
- Baseball signed by the 1935 Washington Senators. That season the Senators finished 67-86, 6th in the American League.
- Autographs include Joe Kuhel; Buddy Myer; Ossie Bluege; Cecil Travis; John Stone; Jake Powell; Heinie Manush; Cliff Bolton; Red Kress; Fred Schulte; Dee Miles; Sammy Holbrook; Earl Whitehill; Bump Hadley; Bobo Newsome; Ed Linke; Jack Russell; Leon Pettit; Bucky Harris.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1935
- maker
- A. J. Reach Co.
- ID Number
- CL.310547.114
- accession number
- CL*310547
- catalog number
- CL*310547.114
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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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
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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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
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Baseball, signed by the 1936 Chicago White Sox
- Description
- Autographed baseball signed by the 1936 Chicago White Sox. That season the White Sox finished 81-70, 4th in the American League.
- Autographs include Zeke Bonura; Jackie Hayes; Luke Appling; Jimmy Dykes; Mule Haas; Mike Kreevich; Rip Radcliff; Luke Sewell; Tony Piet; Larry Rosenthal; Vern Kennedy; John Whitehead; Sugar Cain; Ted Lyons; Monty Stratton; Clint Brown; Ray Phelps; Jimmy Dikes.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1936
- associated institution
- Chicago White Sox
- maker
- A. J. Reach Co.
- ID Number
- CL.310547.117
- accession number
- CL*310547
- catalog number
- CL*310547.117
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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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
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Baseball, signed by the 1953 Chicago White Sox
- Description
- Autographed baseball signed by the 1953 Chicago White Sox. That season, the White Sox finished 89-65, 3rd in the American League.
- Autographs include Nelson Fox; Bob Elliott; Ferris Fain; Chico Carrasquel; Bob Elliot; Sam Mele; Jim Rivera; Minnie Minoso; Sherm Lollar; Bob Boyd; Red Wilson; Tom Wright; Billy Pierce; Virgil Trucks; Mike Fornieles; Fritz Dorish; Saul Rogovin; Sandy Consuegra; Joe Dobson; Bob Keegan.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1953
- associated institution
- Chicago White Sox
- maker
- Zacko's
- ID Number
- CL.310547.119
- accession number
- 310547
- catalog number
- 310547.119
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Baseball, signed by the 1933 Detroit Tigers
- Description
- Baseball signed by the 1933 Detroit Tigers. That season the Tigers finished 75-79, 5th in the American League.
- Autographs include Mickey Cochrane; Schoolboy Rowe; Hank Greenberg; Jo Jo White; Cy Perkins; Charlie Gehringer; Billy Rogell; Marv Owen; John Stone; Pete Fox; Gee Walker; Ray Hayworth; Harry Davis; Frank Doljack; Firpo Marberry; Tommy Bridges; Vic Sorrell; Carl Fischer; Chief Hogsett; Vic Frazier; Buckey Harris; Del Baker.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1934
- signer
- Cochrane, Mickey
- Rowe, Schoolboy
- Greenberg, Hank
- White, Jo Jo
- Perkins, Cy
- associated institution
- Detroit Tigers
- maker
- Amateur
- ID Number
- CL.310547.120
- catalog number
- 310547.120
- accession number
- 310547
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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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
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Baseball, signed by the 1943 New York Yankees
- 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
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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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
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Baseball, signed by the 1957 New York Yankees
- Description
- Baseball signed by the 1957 New York Yankees. That season, the Yankees finished 98-56, 1st in the American League, losing the World Series to the Milwaukee Braves, 4 games to 3.
- Autographs include Mickey Mantle; Yogi Berra; Whitey Ford; Don Larsen; Bob Turley; Hank Bauer; Sal Maglie; Bill Skowron; Bobby Richardson; Gil McDougald; Andy Carey; Enos Slaughter; Tony Kubek; Elston Howard; Harry Simpson; Jerry Coleman; Tom Sturdivant; Johnny Kucks; Bobby Shantz; Art Ditmer; Tommy Byrne; Bob Grim; Murry Dickson.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1957
- associated institution
- New York Yankees
- maker
- MacGregor
- ID Number
- CL.310547.126
- accession number
- 310547
- catalog number
- 310547.126
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Baseball, signed by the 1958 New York Yankees
- Description
- Baseball signed by the 1958 New York Yankees. That year the Yankees won the American League with a 92-62 record, winning the World Series by defeating the Milwaukee Braves 4 games to 3.
- Autographs include Mickey Mantle; Yogi Berra; Whitey Ford; Don Larsen; Bob Turley; Hank Bauer; Sal Maglie; Bill Skowron; Bob Richardson; Gil McDougald; Andy Carey; Enos Slaughter; Tony Kubek; Elson Howard; Tom Sturdivant; Johnny Kucks; Bobby Shantz; Art Ditmar; Norm Siebern; Bob Grim; Murry Dickson; Virgil Trucks; Marv Thorneberry; Zach Monroe; Duke Maas; Ryne Duren; Darrell Johnson; Jerry Lumpe.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1958
- associated institution
- Milwaukee Brewers
- maker
- MacGregor
- ID Number
- CL.310547.127
- accession number
- 310547
- catalog number
- 310547.127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Baseball, signed by the 1935 Philadelphia Athletics
- Description
- Baseball signed by the 1935 Philadelphia Athletics. That season, the A's finished 58-91, 8th in the American League.
- Autographs include Connie Mack; Jimmie Foxx; Roger Cramer; Skeeter Newsome; Wally Moses; Rabbit Warstler; Eric McNair; Pinky Higgins; Bob Johnson; Paul Richards; Lou Finney; Charlie Berry; Johnny Marcum; Bill Dietrich; George Blaeholder; Whitey Wilshere; Roy Mahaffey.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1935
- associated institution
- Philadelphia Athletics
- maker
- Davega Sports
- ID Number
- CL.310547.128
- accession number
- 310547
- catalog number
- 310547.128
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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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
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Baseball, signed by the 1935 Cleveland Indians
- Description
- Baseball signed by the 1935 Cleveland Indians. That season, the Indians finished 82-71, 3rd in the American League.
- Autographs include Ed Gharrity; Stan O’Neill; Hal Trosky; Boze Berger; Bill Knickerbocker; Odell Hale; Bruce Campbell; Earl Averill; Joe Vosmik; Eddie Phillips; Roy Hughes; Milt Galatzer; Ab Wright; Mel Harder; Willis Hudlin; Monte Pearson; Thornton Lee; Oral Hildebrand; Lloyd Brown; Lefty Stewart.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1935
- associated institution
- Cleveland Indians
- maker
- Draper-Maynard
- ID Number
- CL.310547.130
- accession number
- 310547
- catalog number
- 310547.130
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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