Joe Louis Barrow, known as “The Brown Bomber,” was arguably the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. His career spanned from 1934 to 1951 and he reigned as the Heavyweight Champion of the World from 1937 until his temporary retirement in 1949. During that time, he successfully defended 25 consecutive title defenses, a record for...
The Chicago Park District Recreation Division published this Weightlifting Instruction Manual originally in 1939 and followed it up with a second printing in 1940, and then with this third printing in 1950. Norbert B. Grueber, the Editor for Body Builder Magazine, published this manual under the supervision of the Division of Recreation of the Chicago...
The Stars of the Mat booklet is part of the Ottley Coulter Collection. Ottley was an American strongman, circus performer, weightlifter, wrestler, and police officer. He was a co-founder of the American Continental Weightlifting Association, and the author of a book about strength athletics. The booklet features well known bodybuilders and wrestlers and contains photos...
The University of Texas has hosted many interscholastic championship events over the years in every sport imaginable. This booklet, generously donated by Waneen Spirduso, is from the 1913 interscholastic championship track meet for the state of Texas. This was a massive event attended by public and private high schools and held at Clark Field on...
Early pioneer of professional tennis, University of Texas Longhorns Hall of Honor member, and U.S. Davis Cup Coach, Bruce Barnes, published this fun and informative pamphlet to introduce people to tennis. Barnes went undefeated in dual match play his entire career at the University of Texas, dominated singles and doubles play in the Southwest Conference,...
Max MacLevy rented the property from James L. Ewell and moved to the old 65 acre Babylon Westminster Kennel Club estate around 1915. MacLevy was well-known for his vaudeville boxing exhibitions and gymnasium in Brooklyn. In addition, “Professor” MacLevy was a health mentor to Teddy Roosevelt. As a physical culturalist, MacLevy turned Westminster’s once-glorious clubhouse...
The origins of Swedish Massage are credited to a Swedish physiologist named Per Henrik Ling, who lived from 1776-1839, and was a highly respected master fencer and gymnast. He believed that the therapeutic massage technique that consisted of gliding strokes and gentle touch promoted relaxation and well-being by encouraging circulation in the body and softening...
Dennis Tinerino was a prominent bodybuilder in the 1960s and 1970s. He won the Mr. Universe title four times in 1968, 1975, 1980 and 1981 and Mr. World in 1971 in the tall man’s category, and Mr. America in 1978. He was an inductee of the National Fitness Hall of Fame, IFBB Hall of Fame and National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. These are...
Strength & Beauty are a series of booklets published by Rosslyn News out of Studio City, California. These booklets showcase Strongwomen who not only have strength but are beautiful. These Strongwomen come from a variety of athletic backgrounds and are shown in different poses. Here is one example from the series: Strength & Beauty No....
