Today's Tidbit... Two Items in Spalding's 1905 Catalog

Paging through the 1905-06 Spalding's Fall and Winter catalog led to two items being deemed worthy of discussion. One involved a piece that covered the gap between the vest and pants combination commonly worn at the time. I covered the item briefly in another story about football union suits but did not address their purpose. The other item of note was a new combination pad worn under the pants. Designed by Pop Warner, the combination must have served a purpose, but that purpose continues to elude me.

(Personal collection)

In the 1905 era, football players often wore outfits that resembled union suits: a colored long-sleeve jersey, a canvas vest, and canvas or moleskin pants to the knees. Wool stockings to the knees, black shoes, and shin guards completed the outfit. Many players and teams skipped the vest, but the union suit was among the standard looks of the day.

(1905-1906 Spalding Fall & Winter catalog)