Henry Walter Worth

“ Anticipating the present tendency of the American people toward a healthful method of living and enjoyment, Spalding’s Athletic Library was established in 1892 for the purpose of encouraging athletics in every form, not only by publishing the official rules and records pertaining to the various pastimes, but also by instructing, until to-day Spalding’s Athletic Library is unique in its own particular field and has been conceded the greatest educational series on athletic and physical training subjects that has ever been compiled. ”

“ Home Apparatus “It is not so important to have big muscles as it is to have good digestion; it is not so important to have powerful muscles as it is, to have a strong, regular heart; it is not so important to have great skill with one’s muscles as to have good lungs and kidneys.”—Extract from Spalding Athletic Library No. 161—“Ten Minutes’ Exercise for Busy Men.” ”

“ Under this system of merchandising, the profits to both the manufacturer and the jobber are assured; but as there is no stability maintained in the prices to the consumer, the keen competition amongst the local dealers invariably leads to a demoralized cutting of prices by which the profits of the retailer are practically eliminated.
This demoralization always reacts on the manufacturer. The jobber insists on lower, and still lower, prices. ”

“ To-day we find the greatest body of athletes in the world is the Public Schools Athletic League of Greater New York, which has had an entry list at its annual games of over two thousand, and in whose “elementary series” in base ball last year 106 schools competed for the trophy emblematic of the championship. ”

“ The exercise consists of throwing ball to one another, and the catching of it develops the chest, exercises the back, arms, legs; in fact, improves the whole system.
Home Apparatus “One of the aims of physical training is to make exercise interesting and enjoyable. To be beneficial in the highest sense it must be recreative. Particularly is this true of physical exercise for business men. As a class, in their daily work, they are kept on a constant mental strain. Besides, they are, to a large degree, physically inactive. Life becomes too intense, too serious, too sordid. ”

“ Gulick is an authority on all subjects pertaining to physical training and the study of the child.
JOHN B. FOSTER Successor to the late Henry Chadwick (“Father of Base Ball”) as editor of Spalding’s Official Base Ball Guide; sporting editor of the New York Evening Telegram; has been in the newspaper business for many years and is recognized throughout America as a leading writer on the national game; a staunch supporter of organized base ball, his pen has always been used for the betterment of the game. ”

“ If any defect is discovered during the first game in which it is used, or during the first day’s practice use, and if returned at once, we will replace same under this guarantee. We do not guarantee against ordinary wear nor against defect in shape or size that is not discovered immediately after the first day’s use.
Owing to the superb quality of every Spalding Foot Ball, our customers have grown to expect a season’s use of one ball, and at times make unreasonable claims under our guarantee which we will not allow.
Spalding All-Steel Playground Apparatus
Acknowledged as the Standard. ”

“ R. L. WELCH A resident of Chicago; the popularity of indoor base ball is chiefly due to his efforts; a player himself of no mean ability; a first-class organizer; he has followed the game of indoor base ball from its inception.
DR. HENRY S. ANDERSON Has been connected with Yale University for years and is a recognized authority on gymnastics; is admitted to be one of the leading authorities in America on gymnastic subjects; is the author of many books on physical training. ”

“ The mental benefit is derived from the pleasure found in practicing, as all recreation is a mental benefit. I feel that all I could preach, say or sing about the benefit of any certain exercise would be feeble indeed. Boys and young men—and they are the ones who will probably be most interested in this book—are not appealed to by advice on “what they ought to do.” They will never practice any of the feats described in this book for the good it will do them. They know that plenty of sleep is good for them, and they know that tobacco is bad for them ”

“ The “Spalding Policy” eliminates the jobber entirely, so far as Spalding Goods are concerned, and the retail dealer secures his supply of Spalding Athletic Goods direct from the manufacturer under a restricted retail price arrangement by which the retail dealer is assured a fair, legitimate and certain profit on all Spalding Athletic Goods, and the consumer is assured a Standard Quality and is protected from imposition. ”

“ Used by the leading athletic clubs, colleges and prominent oarsmen of the world, and pronounced the most perfect rowing machine ever produced. Fitted with the Kerns’ Patent Roller Seat and Shoes, the shoes having a three-inch adjustment, to suit either a tall or a short person. By turning a thumb-nut the belt can be tightened to any desired degree, and more or less friction thrown into the running parts, imitating the resistance which exists when forcing a row-boat through the water. The weaker sex can use the machine by simply loosening the thumb-nut which reduces the resistance ”

“ Take a quick run of about twenty yards, strike both feet together on the mat or floor. Jump well into the air, duck the head down and in, and try to describe a half circle through the air, with the feet landing in a position, the same direction as when starting. It is well to practice this over a very soft place, having a board or some hard object to turn from and land into hay, shavings, soft sand, sawdust or tan-bark. When one has a soft place on which to practice he should go at it boldly ”

“ Standard Policy A Standard Quality must be inseparably linked to a Standard Policy.
Without a definite and Standard Mercantile Policy, it is impossible for a manufacturer to long maintain a Standard Quality. ”

“ Stand erect, fall slowly forward on the hands, keeping the body perfectly straight. Break the force of the fall by letting the arms bend slightly, but straighten them immediately. Curl up, bringing the knees well up toward the chin and carry the feet through between the hands, not letting them touch the floor; extend legs in front of arms, curl up again, carry feet back through hands and straighten into the “handstand.” This is a difficult feat, but it may be practiced with perfect safety. It is excellent practice for developing the muscles of the stomach and abdomen. ”

“ The Laflin Friction Rowing Machine Do not use oil on friction cylinder. If its action is not perfectly smooth a little clear soap rubbed on its surface will properly correct its action. The means used to produce the resistance is a simple friction clutch, which takes instant hold at the commencement of the stroke and retains the pressure till its completion, when it instantly releases it precisely as in a boat. Quickly taken apart without loosening any bolts or screws. Each machine is adjustable to any amount of friction or resistance. ”

“ What we all need in this world is encouragement. I should like to encourage every 6boy who wishes to learn. Don’t be discouraged because it takes you so long to learn the handspring; when that is once learned, the other acts will be easier. ”

“ Continue to eat heavy meals and take no exercise and your health will be affected, not because of the food you have eaten so much as on account of the lack of exercise. A little exercise is all that is necessary to keep you in good condition. ”

“ America’s national game is now vying with other indoor games as a winter pastime. This book contains the playing rules, pictures of leading teams, and interesting articles on the game by leading authorities on the subject. ”

“ Stand erect, throw left hand hard down on the floor, about two feet from the left foot, follow with the right hand, two feet from the left hand, then the right foot down about two feet from the right hand, and so on. The feet and hands should be placed as nearly on a straight line as possible. ”

“ Stand in an erect position with hands hanging at sides, spring up a foot-and-a-half from the ground and give a quick jerk or switch with the body and come down facing in the opposite direction. Do not jump around. The turn is made by a twist of the body, not with the feet or legs. ”

“ Lockers made from wire mesh or expanded metal afford little security, as they can be easily entered with wire cutters. Clothes placed in them become covered with dust, and the lockers themselves present a poor appearance, resembling animal cages. ”

“ Grasp left foot with right hand, with thumb of right hand under great toe joint; fingers of right hand over top of toes with backs of fingers up. Jump over hand and foot with right foot. The point to be observed in performing this trick is to keep the right hand and left foot perfectly still while jumping with the right. If moved, they are apt to trip the foot when jumping. This is excellent practice in developing quickness in handling the feet, which is an important factor in tumbling.
15. The Hop Back. Jump back to original position from finish of No. ”

“ We allow four inches for stretch in all our sweaters, and sizes are marked accordingly. It is suggested, however, that for very heavy men a size about two inches larger than coat measurement be ordered to insure a comfortable fit. ”

“ The hands should be placed on the ground near shoulders and neck. Give a quick hard whip with the feet and legs over toward first position and a hard snap or push up with the neck, shoulders and hands. With a little practice it can be done without the aid of the hands. It is a pretty act and a good “finish” to every act ending with a fall on the back. (See illustration.)
12. The Elephant Walk. A comical contortion act. Place hands on floor in front of feet as near to toes as possible. Do not bend the knees. Walk. ”

“ Weights are 5-pound iron dumb-bells, one to each carriage, and may be removed and used as dumb bells. Wall and floor boards are hard wood, nicely finished and stained. All castings heavily japanned. Every part of machine guaranteed free of defect. ”

“ Strike hands on ground in front of feet, letting the left strike a little before the right, as in the cart-wheel. Place them about ten inches apart, at the same time swing the body over and around, so as to land in a sitting position directly opposite the one in starting. ”

“ Stand with the feet about one foot apart, bend over, keeping the legs perfectly straight, until the finger tips nearly touch the toes, then fall back to a sitting position on the floor. Do not bend the knees. If performed correctly this can be done on a very hard floor without hurting the performer in the least. ”

“ A quick hard run is the important thing, and a leap of about five feet should be made before striking the take-off. (See illustration.)
26. The Back Somersault. This is done from a standing position. Get two men to hold you up while trying. The “lungers” that are generally used in the gymnasium—“coward-strap” they are called—may be used with perfect safety. ”

“ The wheels are iron, turned true on centers, and have hardened steel cone point bearings. The guide rods are spring steel, copper-plated. The weight carriage has removable felt bushings, noiseless and durable. ”