Great 1886 YALE LETTER WITH BEECHER CONTENT
October 26, 1886. New Haven. An autograph letter signed “W.A. McConnel” to a friend, describing Yale’s football team: “…Our room faces the New Haven Green, which puts me in mind of the Boston Common every time I look at it.
There are thirteen Exeter men here, including Wurtenburgh, Sykes & Lyman…Wurtie is doing fine work on the team. He is sub. half & quarter back. He does not want to do much football playing this year and so has not worked to get on the team. Ben is a half back but is too slow altogether. He is punting pretty well. He broke his nose in one of the practice games but it is well now. You ought to see how they play football here. They go in to win. There is three times as much slugging in a practice game as there is in the Exeter or Andover game. Hanson played one evening and Pike who was playing opposite him told him to get onside Hanson did not stir and Pike drew off and hit him right in the eye, then Hanson as soon as he recovered himself hit Pike a dandy on the nose and they had a regular fight until the Captain yelled to them to stop. Hanson had a terrible eye and Pike a skinned nose. You ought to see Beecher play. He is something like Harding, one minute he is in the midst of a crowd and the next he has the ball and running for the goal. He has not layed up at all. He had a sore leg but plays just the same. Wurtie could get halfback if he wanted it but says he wants to study this year and then play football next year. I am afraid Ben will not stay here long. He flunks in great style. Himball played first base on the Freshman base ball team at Princeton in the Freshman-sophomore game…”.
Henry W. Beecher, known as “Harry” Beecher, was the grandson of Henry Ward Beecher, a famous minister. He captained and quarterbacked the Yale team and is regarded as one of the early stars of college football.
His N162 Goodwin Champions card is considered the first true football card.
This letter was written four days before the Bulldogs defeated Wesleyan 136-0 in football, setting an all-time record for scoring. Yale won the collegiate championship that year. The letter is in outstanding condition with white paper and dark ink.
$250
Rob M.
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