Pre War Vintage Fencing

[Laxcat]

I fenced a little in college and absolutely loved it. I've slowly picked up vintage fencing books/photos and such. Stumbled across this. As best I can tell is that it is a British Army Fencing team RPPC. The man in the white tunic had an emblem with crossed swords on it.

It was attached to the book with a letter signed, I believe, by the men in the photo to their SGT.

Just wanted to share to see if anyone else collects vintage fencing stuff.

[Laxcat]

Here is the list that was with the RPPC & the book.

[Laxcat]

1890 printing of Fencing by H.A. Colmore Dunn.

The book was owned Phillip V O Van Vechten and gifted by Helen Van Vechten, his wife, to a friend. Helen has a very neat history when it comes to the profession of printing.

Here is a link
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Van_Vechten

[vintagesportscollector]

Matt. I don't collect any fencing items, but I've always found this Spalding fencing vest to be interesting. Have you ever seen one? There was one on ebay last year that if I recall went for a reasonable price.

image.jpg

[Laxcat]

My first fencing instructor was a man by the name of Kermit. He was at least 70, wouldn't give actual age, but had been fencing for 60 years. He wore something very much like that. He refused to wear a mask when we attacked, just that vest.

Way cool. Thanks for sharing.

[Michael B]

I have a few photos in my archives. They are all U.S. Olympians. All of these images are going to be on the website I am currently building. They are

Millard Bloomer - 1920 Olympian. One of two Millards who competed for the U.S. at the Olympics. The other one was Millard Hampton in athletics

Adeline Gehrig - two studio photos. Though from New York, she is no relation to Lou.

George Calnan and Joe Levis - These are glass plate negatives. In the posed photo it is Harvard fencing coach Renee Percy, Calnan and Levis. Levis was the first intercollegiate champ at MIT in any sport. Later in life he was a competitive ballroom dancer with his wife. Calnan was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. Eight months after the Olympics he died in the explosion of the dirigible U.S.S. Akron off the coast of New Jersey

[Laxcat]

That's great. Those shoes! Great bit of History on those. MIT college champion? Super neat. That's like the gold medal for fishing. Never going to happen again.

[Laxcat]

I've been finding some very cool stuff lately. If yall don't mind, I think I'll turn this into my fencing pick up thread.

Fencing book signed by Joseph Vince.

This guy was awesome.
http://usfencinghalloffame.com/wp/vince-joseph/

[Laxcat]

1890's(?) Cabinet Russian Military Cadet with sword. Fencing was most definitely a part of the curriculum.

[Laxcat]

1928 RPPC of what I'm guessing is a fencing class. I believe it to be French or Belgian.

[Laxcat]

Snapshot of a guy practicing his posture and form with a book on his head

[Laxcat]

1938 Le Sphero Olympic Trade Card