{"product_id":"harper-s-weekly-feb-26-1876-early-american-football-thomas-nast-cartoons-frere-art-complete-issue-vg","title":"Harper’s Weekly Feb 26 1876 – Early American Football, Thomas Nast Cartoons, Frere Art, Complete Issue VG","description":"Harper’s Weekly Feb 26 1876 – Early American Football, Thomas Nast Cartoons, Frere Art, Complete Issue VG\n\n\n---\n\nDESCRIPTION\n\nThis is an original, complete issue of Harper’s Weekly, dated February 26, 1876, in very good condition. This edition is best known for featuring one of the earliest published images of American football, a historically important moment in the evolution of the sport.\n\nThe issue also includes multiple Thomas Nast political cartoons, European genre art, and a variety of compelling Gilded Age illustrations.\n\nA strong copy—clean, well-preserved, and ideal for collectors of early sports history, political Americana, or 19th-century illustration.\n\n\n---\n\n⭐ \"Football At the Wall\"\nEarly American Football Illustration (Key Feature)\n\nOne of the earliest visual depictions of American football to appear in a major American publication.\n\nThis pre-helmet, rugby-style scene captures:\n\nEarly scrimmage formations\n\nPlayers in period athletic attire\n\nThe rough, chaotic nature of the sport before modernization\n\nA historically significant moment prior to major rule standardizations (1880s–90s)\n\n\nThese early football engravings are scarce and highly desirable, especially framed.\n\n\n---\n\n⭐ Other Major Illustrations in the Issue\n\n• Thomas Nast Cartoon – “No Rudder—No Aim…”\n\nA political cartoon poking at Republican leadership in the post-Civil War era.\nNast remains America’s most influential political cartoonist, and 1870s Nast pages are increasingly collectible.\n\n\n---\n\n• Two Nast Cartoons – “Another ‘Dead Issue’ Turned Up” \u0026amp; “News!”\n\nSmaller, sharp political pieces, each approx. 4.75\" x 4.5\", surrounded by period advertisements.\n\n\n---\n\n• Edouard Frère – “Gathering Wood” (¾-page engraving)\n\nA beautiful domestic genre scene by the noted French painter.\nSoft, emotional lines typical of Frère’s work, excellent for framing.\n\n\n---\n\n• “The Dinner Bell – A Sketch Near Silberhausen, Saxony” (¾-page Supplement Illustration)\n\nOriginally accompanied by a short article.\nRural European life rendered in fine detail.\n\n\n---\n\nAdditional Content\n\nAs in all Harper’s Weekly issues:\n\nSerialized literature\n\nNational and international news\n\nEngravings of public figures\n\nGilded Age advertisements\n\nEditorial commentary\n\n\nYour complete issue includes all text and images from front to back.\n\n\n---\n\n📏 Size\n\nStandard Harper’s folio: approx. 16 x 11.25 inches\n\n\n---\n\n📜 Condition — Very Good (VG)\n\nComplete issue\n\nLight age toning only\n\nStrong image impressions\n\nTight fold\n\nMinor expected edge wear\n\nNo major tears or losses\n\n\nA well-preserved 148-year-old newspaper.\n\n\n---\n\n🖼️ Framing Available\n\nI offer professional custom framing for the football page, Nast cartoons, or the Frère illustration.\n\nOptions include:\n\nAcid-free matting\n\nUV-protective acrylic\n\nMultiple frame styles\n\n\nMessage me for mockups or recommendations.\n\n\n---\n\n📦 Shipping\n\nShips flat, never rolled.\n\n\n---\n\n🎁 Perfect For:\n\nFootball historians\nSports collectors\nNCAA alumni gifts\nCollectors of Thomas Nast\n19th-century illustration enthusiasts\nArt lovers (Frère, European scenes)\nGilded Age Americana collectors\n\n\n---\n\nSEO TAGS\n\nharpers weekly 1876, early football print, american football history, thomas nast cartoon, edouard frere engraving, 19th century sports art, victorian newspaper, antique football illustration, 1870s americana, harpers weekly original issue, gilded age political cartoons, vintage sports history","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52264011530460,"sku":null,"price":85.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0849\/4759\/9580\/files\/58f30497-il_fullxfull.7488182884_afpt.jpg?v=1786496611","url":"https:\/\/thekeenantiquarian.com\/products\/harper-s-weekly-feb-26-1876-early-american-football-thomas-nast-cartoons-frere-art-complete-issue-vg","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}