1898 Vintage Basketball

[ramram]

My apologies as I know there's not too many 19th century vintage basket ball fans out there but I'll post this for those that may be interested. Anything 19th century is very tough to find.

Below are two Germantown Spiders team images. One from the 1898-1899 season and the other I believe from 1897-1898 (or possibly from 1896-1897 noting how much younger the boy is in the middle) as there are some of the same players in this one but they are obviously younger. Germantown (Philadelphia) had a team in the very first professional league (the NBL) in 1898, the Germantown Nationals. They apparently had at least two other independent teams as well - this Germantown Spiders team being one of them.

The manager in the back row is George A. Glassey and to the right of him is his son, George Allen (Al) Glassey who played several years in the earliest pro basket ball leagues. It's possible that some of these other ballers did as well.

Rob M

Germantown Spiders (1).jpg

Germantown Spiders (2).jpg

Glassey.jpg

[Bill Rayburn]

Love the 19c basketball ramram. This photo is believed to be the 1897 Temple team or possible the Philadelphia Textile team. I haven't done any research lately so any info would be appreciated. I really like the quilted pants.

[ramram]

Great image Bill.

Rob M

[GaryPassamonte]

Rob- I enjoyed both of your recent basketball posts. Although I don't collect basketball, the early pictorial history is significant. Any 1890s basketball image is great to see.
Nice one, Bill.