Remarkable nearly 150 year-old artifact from the birth of the greatest annual rivalry in both Ivy League and college football history. One of only a small handful known to have survived – this is the official printed program from the very first encounter between Harvard and Yale, a game played on Saturday, November 13, 1875 at Hamilton Park in New Haven, CT. Interestingly, the game was an amalgamation of both rugby and soccer rules with 15 players to a side. Regarded as "The Father of American Football," Walter Camp was in the lineup and played halfback for Yale that day, though Harvard emerged with a 4-0 victory. Yale would return the favor almost exactly one year later at Hamilton Park, then remain unbeaten over the next 10 encounters between these storied rivals.
Scorecard remains fully intact with remnants of newsprint adhered to and around spine. White discoloration in present along both the interior and exterior of spine and gentle toning is present throughout, aside from the top-right corner where it is most pronounced. Handwritten notations pertaining to the game appear on back cover. Measures approx. 4" x 5.5".