Early Women Boxers Photo Archive, 1910s-1950s

Women Sports, Photography

Photo Archive

[Women Sports] [Early Photography] Archive of 16 black and white photographs of women boxers from the 1910s-1950s. 6 silver gelatin and one real photo postcard. Measure between 2.5" x 3.5" to 3.5" x 5.25". Boxing has always been a controversial sport due to it's brutality and was largely prohibited for women in the 19th century. However, some rebel women were recorded as partaking in matches since the 1700s. Women's boxing first appeared in the Olympic Games as a demonstration sport in 1904, in St. Louis, and in the 1920s, Professor Andrew Newton formed a Women's Boxing Club in London. However, it wasn't until 2012 that Women's Boxing became an official sport in the Olympics. The earliest photo in this archive shows two women facing each other in corsets and long cotton and wool dresses with boxing gloves, surrounded by a group of men and women. This real photo post card has a pencil inscription en verso that reads "August 1914 - For fun - women boxers - Francis + Edith." Another early photo from the 1900s shows two women in front of a snowy background, their boxing gloved fists raised and an inscription en verso, "Grace + Miss Vandehei boxing - This is Grace's roommate. A fine girl, she's here now." Two photos from the 1920s shows a boxing match between a man and a woman, the woman wears women's pants which were primarily worn for sport, and high heels. One photo shows the two with their fists raised getting ready for a throw, while the second photo shows the woman swinging her arm with her gloved fist in the man's chest. Another interesting photo shows a crew of people on a ship deck, two women, one in a hair curler cap and day dress and heels, the other just slightly out of frame in a dress and flats, raise their gloved fists as a crowd of men and women overlook. Through the legal and social ramifications of women's participation, many women partook behind closed doors for sport and leisure. This rare collection uncovers the fierce spirit of several women whose efforts proved women's physical strength and prowess at a time of rapidly changing social norms. Photos are crisp and clear, overall very good condition.

Item #20186

Price: $1,250.00