1905 BOSTON POSTCARD BROWN UNIVERSITY IVY LEAGUE FOOTBALL DARTMOUTH

Description: Description: This fantastic recent find is among the earliest known college football postcards -- it depicts actual players and features postal cancellations from two branches of the United States Post Office. Dating from the second year of college football postcard production, this 1905 postcard, was issued exclusively for the November 25, 1905 game between Brown University and Dartmouth University. The Boston Post-Card (Postcard) Co. printed this “Dominoe Card” (Domino Card) in 1905. It is speculated that there may have originally been a postcard issued for each Ivy League team as well as a few of the other top gridiron squads. However only five such Ivy League postcards (Harvard, Yale, Penn, Dartmouth, and Brown) are currently confirmed to exist. According to contemporary sources, the color of the front of the postcard matched the primary team color. On the front side, “The Brown Eleven” are pictured in two dominos or quadrants of 5 and 6 respectively, hence the term “Dominoe Card.” Notables inclusions are Brown University Athletics’ Hall of Fame Members Captain Gustavus Adolphus Russ (1906, inducted 1974), Frank E. “Spike” Dennie (1909, inducted 1973), and Arthur J. “Pop” Kirley (1909, inducted 1979). Also of significance on the team (and shown on this postcard) is Right Guard Albert M. Fletcher, a Walter Camp Second Team All-American for 1905 and only the second such Brown football player (and first after the 19th Century) to achieve this honor. It is meaningful that in 1905, Brown University scored more points (281) than any other team before or since. The Brown Bruins’ record in 1905 was 7-4 with the only losses occurring against Penn (Pennsylvania), Harvard, Yale and Dartmouth. Additional writing on the front includes the score of the game in ink (6 to 23 – different than that which is recorded on the James Howell All-Time NCAA Football Scores website) and the three initials (in graphite) of the person who sent the postcard. On the back side, the postcard is neatly addressed to Miss Edwena Wallace, Oak Grove Seminary, Vassalboro, Maine. There is a 1-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp (U.S. Scott #300, 1902-1903 series), with postal cancellations from Springfield, Massachusetts on November 29, 1905 as well as from Vassalboro, Maine, also in November 1905. There is a small illustration in the lower-left-hand-corner of a hand with two fingers pointing, done in ink. For the serious Bears (or Bruins) football fan, Brown University historical archives, Ivy League aficionados, savvy investors and advanced collectors, this is the ultimate item from the very origins of postcard production in the early 20thCentury. Also included in this lot are printed biographies of each of the three Hall of Fame members of Brown University Gustavus Adolphus Russ '06 Hometown: Hancock, NY Sport: Football Year Inducted: 1974 Gustavus Adolphus Russ '06 wrote an amazing football story at Brown. A 6-0, 185 pound end playing in the pre-forward pass era, Russ managed to set records for touchdowns one game (5), most points game (30), and most points season (90). The native of Hancock, NY, also shares the Brown record for touchdowns season (12) and conversions one game (7). His career total of 154 points is second only to the 174 points scored by Dave Fultz '98. Russ captained the 1905 team, which posted a 7-4 record and scored more points (281) than any Brown team before or since. The rawboned Russ did most of his scoring when moved from end to a halfback spot when the Bruins got within the enemy's 10-yard line, although he also reached the end zone on spectacular dashes of 40, 50, and 60-yards with recovered fumbles or blocked punts. Russ spent his boyhood years in Norwich, Conn., attended Worcester Academy, and captained the 1901 Academy team to a 6-1 record. His Brown coach, John "Daff" Gammons '98 once noted that while most wingmen of that era had responsibility for driving the play in and spilling the interference, Russ was able to scatter the blockers and come up with the ball carrier as well, putting his large hands and strong arms to good use. A teammate, the late Fred Schwinn '05, put it this way: Gus loved to hear the bones rattle." Russ was Class Prophet and a member of Delta Phi fraternity. He spent most of his working years as a roofing contractor in Des Moines, Iowa. Now residing with his niece, Eunice Carson, in Mevis, Minn., Gus Russ will celebrate his 95th birthday on November 19. Frank E. "Spike" Dennie '09 Hometown: Brockton, MA Sport: Football Year Inducted: 1973 Frank E. "Spike" Dennie '09 caught Brown's first touchdown pass, became the first collegian to score two touchdowns on Yale in the same game, and holds the Brown record for the longest return with a fumble recovery. He also had the distinction of being elected to Walter Camp's All-American second team in 1908 and then selected again ten years later on Camp's All-Service team. A brilliant athlete in football, basketball, and baseball at Brockton (MA) High and Williston Academy, Dennie later became respected in Eastern collegiate circles for his tough two-way end play. Playing on the varsity as a freshman in 1908, Dennie picked up a fumble at Franklin Field and raced 100 yards for a touchdown against Penn, still a Brown record. A versatile performer, Dennie was used as a return man on punts and kickoffs and for extra points. With the arrival of passing star Bill Sprackling in 1908, Dennie blossomed forth as an able pass receiver. In the opener against New Hampshire he took a 40-yard scoring pass from Sprackling, the first touchdown pass in Brown's history. In the classic 10-10 tie with Yale that year, Dennie became the first collegian to score twice on the Eli's in one game, crossing the line on a nine-yard pass from Sprackling and again on a 35-yard interception. During his four-year career, Dennie scored 78 points on 12 touchdowns (5 points then) and 18 conversions. He served three years in World War I as a captain of engineers with the 89th Division and won a citation from General Pershing for exceptional duty in the Argonne. He was a member of the faculty of the School of Mines at Rolla, Mo., from 1909 until his death on Jan. 13, 1952, serving as professor of mathematics, director of physical education, and head football coach. He was also a leading football official in the Midwest and Southwest. Arthur J. "Pop" Kirley '09 Hometown: Mansfield, MA Sport: Football Year Inducted: 1979 Arthur J. "Pop" Kirley '09 was one of the finest tackles in the first 50 years of Brown football. He was twice selected to All-Time Brown teams by Coach Edward North Robinson '96 and New York sportswriter George Trevor. The 6-4, 220-pounder was an early-day Iron Man, playing in every minute of every game for four years, except for the first game of his sophomore season when he was KO'd by something called "an entrance condition." His forte was opening huge holes for such Bruin backs as Bill Sprackling '12, Russ McKay '11, and Johnny Mayhew '09. He also had a brutal charge on defense and never, but never, let a runner get away once he got his hands on him. The tackles back-play was a big part of the Brown offense at that time, and Kirley was an effective ball carrier, scoring 30 points in his career. During Kirley's four varsity seasons, Brown had a 25-13-1 record, including a memorable 23-0 victory over Dartmouth and a 10-10 tie with a fine Yale squad led by the immortal Ted Coy. The late Al Gurney '07, former alumni secretary, once described Pop Kirley this way: "Pop was the finest influence on a team that any coach or player could have. He was full of fight but rarely got angry. When the going got tough, it was Pop Kirley's thundering voice that exhorted his teammates to battle, and his voice could be heard clearly up in the stands." Born on a farm in Fairfield, Vt., the youngest of 14 children, Kirley attended Brigham Academy before entering Brown. He was a weight man on the track team for four years and competed in swimming. He was president of the Pop Kirley Coal and Ice Co. in Mansfield, Mass., from 1938 until his death on Nov. 22, 1969. Important Facts: Everything ships fast and free with insurance as well as tracking. When comparing us to others, consider that Irishhosta prices are always net and your items will go out the same or next business day. What you buy from Irishhosta, your purchases will also be packaged very carefully and great care will be taken. Additionally, items valued over $500.00 are usually delivered to you the next business day via FedEx. For our Canadian customers, we ensure that your net price will be exactly what your eBay invoice amount is—in other words, all additional expenses (e.g., duty, taxes, customs, freight, insurance, shipping, fees, etc.) are exclusively billed to our account. 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Price: 2500 USD

Location: Fort Myers, Florida

End Time: 2024-08-04T01:13:33.000Z

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