Stanford v. California Football Program 1904 - "Big Game"

An early and quite rare "Big Game" football program, Stanford v. California 1904 in good condition. The cover is separated from the contents of the program and the rear cover is covered with the paper of a scrapbook page that it was removed from. The program was creased lengthwise at one time. The internal contents of the program are in very good condition and the colors of the cover are still vibrant.

The program is 48 pages and includes a unmarked scorecard and pictures of players from both teams. It also has pictures of the male Yell Leaders from each team and long bios for each. They were such important figures at the time that they warranted a full page in the program. The coaches of each team are also pictured, Stanford's was James F. Lanagan, whose image looks straight out of the Wild West. He is described as "ruling the gridiron with an iron hand, and no man dares shirk under his eye." The players are pictured wearing their respective long sleeve sweaters bearing either an "S" or a "C". Stanford's Captain is described in the program as a "lithe, dark-haired, squared-shouldered fellow George H. Clark. His crowning quality is a perfect coolness, which enables him to keep at all times a firm grasp upon the situation and never falter in a crisis." The game was played at California Field on the Cal Campus.

This was only the 14th meeting of the teams in this historic rivalry. This was the first "Big Game" that was played at one of the school's fields rather than in San Francisco. The program also contains period advertisements including one for Alta Vista Wines: "Natural - Sound - Healthful - Brilliant."

Despite the condition issues described, this is still a spectacular and historic program from one of the most storied rivalries in collegiate sports and over 110 years old.

Out of stock.