1940-41 FB Seasons Scrapbook

BilldGopher

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Was in Anoka yesterday enjoying Mrs. Billd's birthday by doing some antiquing in some local shops. One of the things I always look for is UM football memorabilia and the like.

Sure enough in one of the cases was a card on top of a bound album that read "1940s Minnesota Football Season" or similar. I had the case opened and the binder brought out to find where some fan had pulled the sports articles from every game creating their own personal record of the football games that were played. Probably 90% was taken from the Minneapolis Star peach section that had the game write-ups plus the picture diagram galleries that were done back in the day to show how a play unfolded.

Deep Gopher football scholars will note the significance of the two seasons that were included: 1940 and 1941. These were the two undefeated Natties with the team led by Heisman Trophy winner Bruce Smith. Not a surprise that a lot of the clippings were focused on Smith and his exploits that were monumental at the time.

Anywho, the asking price was pretty steep so I called Mrs. Billd over to look as we paged through the articles. Its condition wasn't great but hey it happened 85 years ago so probably shouldn't be too critical.

Just like we marvel today over witnessing some really great players...Eslinger comes to mind with his recent nomination to the Hall of Fame...whoever put that together knew they were watching someone special in Maroon and Gold. It is now back in the display case until the next person comes along and asks for it to be brought out to page through and maybe even purchase. Really should be in the McNamara Center or in the trophy case but that's another issue. Regardless, pretty cool to see. Ski U Mah.
 



Hi guys. $300 was the asking but I'm sure it could be bartered down. How far who knows but I'd already decided to purchase some other items and just wasn't motivated to go further in the moment.

Nonetheless very interesting find. There also was a gold-colored 1970s Frisbee with this fella on it:

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$20 for it and thought hard on this one too. You never know what you'll find in these places. As for Mrs. Billd, she's a sneaky one so we'll see what my birthday or Christmas might bring...
 

Thank you for sharing—priceless. My dad is hale & hearty at nearly 94. He attended the 1940 Washington game and the 1941 Pittsburgh game. (He has seen games in about 80 different seasons.) My mom’s folks went to all the home games in 1940 and 1941 and the 1941 game at Ann Arbor which was the de facto national championship. (I have their pictures from that game.). Inspired by these stories and Danny Spewak’s book I’ve been able to find more than half of the programs from the 16 games including the away 1940 Ohio State game. I’ll admit though it’s not the hard work of BilldGopher haunting antique stores but online purchases of curated items. So there’s an asterisk. I wouid love to buy the scrapbook for my dad.
 


Thank you for sharing—priceless. My dad is hale & hearty at nearly 94. He attended the 1940 Washington game and the 1941 Pittsburgh game. (He has seen games in about 80 different seasons.) My mom’s folks went to all the home games in 1940 and 1941 and the 1941 game at Ann Arbor which was the de facto national championship. (I have their pictures from that game.). Inspired by these stories and Danny Spewak’s book I’ve been able to find more than half of the programs from the 16 games including the away 1940 Ohio State game. I’ll admit though it’s not the hard work of BilldGopher haunting antique stores but online purchases of curated items. So there’s an asterisk. I wouid love to buy the scrapbook for my dad.
The asking was $300 but I'm sure a reasonable counter would be entertained. I was already purchasing some other items and just was not motivated enough to go further.

Amore Antiques in Anoka

Amoré Antiques

Always something Antique, Vintage, and Collectible!
amoreantiques.com
amoreantiques.com
763-576-1871
 

Thank you for sharing—priceless. ... I’ll admit though it’s not the hard work of BilldGopher haunting antique stores but online purchases of curated items. So there’s an asterisk. I wouid love to buy the scrapbook for my dad.
Anoka is the Halloween Capitol of the World...

At least in their minds....:)
 





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