007 – 1894 Boy’s Own Teamgroup

Today’s scan appeared in an 1894 copy of Boy’s Own Comic.

006 – In Remembrance of Arsenal

In the late 1800s a fad developed of supporters having ‘In Remembrance’ cards printed to be given to opposing fans after a victory.   As these were normally made of cheap paper, and no doubt not so gratefully received, I thought it would be interesting to put a scan of one I have up.   Needless to say rumours of Arsenal’s demise were rather wide of the mark.

 

005 – Top of the League

In the 1890s one of the main sporting magazines, which included all kinds of sporting fixture lists for the upcoming week as well as match reports from all kinds of sports.   The clippings below are from an 1891 copy that has an early ‘league table’ showing Arsenal top.  Of course.

 

 

004 – Match Photo 1890s Stylee

In the late 1800s magazines relied on drawings to show match action.  The two I’ve scanned below are both from The Penny Illustrated magazine, the first from October 1890 and the second from October 1891.

 

003 – Winning a Trophy

In 1889/90 Royal Arsenal entered the FA Cup (in the qualifying rounds) for the first time.  As well as that we won our first competitions.

We won the Kent Senior Cup (beating Thanet 3-0) and the Kent Junior Cup.  Old Westministers beat us 1-0 in the final of the London Cup before we got our revenge by beating them 3-1 to win the London Charity Cup.  The cutting above is scanned from the Daily Graphic of April 7th, 1890.

002 – 1888 Team Group

I must admit I rather adore Victorian teamgroup photographs.  Find a grand background, slouch around all nonchalant, and take the shot.  Far more enjoyable than rows of players looking straight forward.

 

I’m sure looking at the writing you think I’ve reversed the scan but that is actually how it is.  It’s part of a long card with various magazine sports pictures stuck on it, presumably to be shown through some type of mirrored or reversing projector.  For the record the other images include cricket, women skating on a frozen lake and a ladies hockey match.

001 – Dial Square and The Royal Arsenal

Where else to start?

Firstly, I am sure you’ve all heard of Dial Square where many of the founders worked, well this is the sundial over the entrance to Dial Square that gave it it’s name.

You can see another picture from a wider angle on the Royal Arsenal website here: http://www.royalarsenalwoolwich.org.uk/DialSq.jpeg

The Royal Arsenal at Woolwich was one of the three main Royal Arsenal’s of the time and was a sprawling mass of factories and laboratories.  Below are pictures of the Bullet Factory and the ‘Big Hammer’ at Woolwich.

Please feel free to add any information via the comments.

(Picture one taken by a friend and used with his permission, the other two pictures are scans of postcards issued around the time)