INVREF#CL41
1901 Score Card & Postcard Harvard vs Yale Narional Championship Football Game
This historical item is an authentic 1901 Yale-Harvard football game die-cut souvenir scorecard. It was distributed as a promotional piece by the New York Journal for "The Game" played in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Saturday, November 23, 1901 at Soldier Field.
The piece features a distinctive football-shaped layout outlining the legendary lineups, including captains Gould for Yale and Campbell for Harvard. The bottom edge outlines the vintage scoring rules of the era, where a touchdown was worth 5 points and a field goal was worth 5 points.
Also included, super rare 1901 Raphael Tuck & Sons postcard depicting the 1901 Harvard-Yale football game, played at Soldiers Field in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Context & Historic Significance
- The Matchup: Held on November 23, 1901, Harvard defeated Yale 22–0. This win secured the Intercollegiate Football Championship for the undefeated 1901 Harvard Crimson team.
- The Venue: The game took place on the open gridiron of Soldiers Field. This was the final time the famous rivalry was played at this specific field layout before the iconic, permanent Harvard Stadium was opened on the same grounds in 1903.
- Early Football Layout: The image captures historical elements of early American football, including the massive wooden bleachers packed with spectators and the distinctive H-shaped goalposts positioned right on the goal line.
Match Details
- Location: Soldiers Field, Cambridge, MA
- Final Score: Harvard Crimson 22, Yale Bulldogs 0
- Key Stats: Harvard scored three touchdowns, two extra-point goals, and a brilliant field goal, playing the entire game without making a single substitution.
The National Championship Context
- Contemporary View: Newspapers and publications like Harper's Weekly and the Chicago Tribune viewed the winner of this year-end showdown as the national champion. Harvard finished the season undefeated (12–0). The loss for Yale was their only loss on the season.
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