For bid is a SIGNED, original 1902 Columbia, South Carolina FOOTBALL cabinet card photograph portrait of fullback JOHN L. WILDS in his SC football letterman's sweater and standing on old Melton Field. This is an oval portrait of Mr. Wilds with his hands at his hips and wearing his uniform. He signed the back of the card as follows: "J. L. Wilds for 'Bob Freeman Dec. 2. 11902." He obviously added a 1 to the year 1902. Bob Freeman was the varsity center on the team (he was captain of the 1901 team).
The 1902 South Carolina team famously upset Clemson on October 30 (day before Halloween) and the subsequent rivalry and the "Burning of the Tiger" tradition was born. This was also the team that gave rise to the "Gamecocks" mascot at USC.
GREAT photo in very good condition. It's been well-preserved all these decades later.. 124 years!