Check out these University of Penn football pictures we discovered....any info appreciated

Allen

While moving an elderly man some boxes were set aside to be thrown away. Some included film that we thought may have WWII Military images, instead it was a variety of family and aviation photos, but mixed in were these four photos that are from a University of Penn football game, based on the other photos they are probably from 1938 or 1939. We had the photos developed and put on a disc at Wal-Mart. Think these are worth having real prints made of?

If anyone knows what game this could be from or if there are any HOFers on the field your input would be appreciated. I read that the first televised football game was at Penn in 1939 so I suppose the possibility exist that these could be from that game. If you don't know anything about them, then sit back and enjoy these never before seen images.

fur72

Very cool thanks for sharing. Not sure on the history but I bet there are some Penn alumni who could help and possibly be interested in the photos.

leadoff4

Beautiful photos... man, talk about a PACKED house!

Pigs

Awesome pictures Allen. I didn't realize college has always had the goal posts on the back of the end zone. I know the NFL had them up on the goal line in the early years. It's cool just to stare at the pictures trying to pick up something interesting off them. Thanks for showing them.

georgebailey2

Hello,

I can't help with any specifics.
I am amazed at the temporary stands in front of the field house. It looks as though they may have 5k people packed on there, let alone all of the SRO people on the field track. I would guess the attendance at around 80k+. The most I ever saw at Franklin Field was around 35k for a couple of games against Yale and Harvard in in 84 and 85.

Thanks for the pictures.

Paul
(Wh '86)

jeffcbay

Could be Paterno's first game! lol

nice pics!

Goot

Franklin Field and the Palestra are amazing and historic venues, and both are right next to each other. I was able to see some Big 5 Philly basketball at the Palestra, and was able to walk around Franklin Field for a little while during the same day while the Lacrosse team was practicing.

ga5150

In the last picture that shows the scoreboard, in the upper left corner, does that say Yale 13? Also, how do you know this is Penn? Is there something in the photos, or did the elderly person give the info? At any rate, these are very cool photos! Just curious...

Rodney

Beck6

Based on past schedules I think Yale played at Penn in 1938 but lost 28-0. Penn played at Yale in 1936 and 1937 and 1939. Yale beat Penn in 1935 31-20 at Penn. In 1940 Yale lost 50-7. This could definately be the Yale game in 1935.

Really cool pictures.

georgebailey2

I think it says "VIS", not Yale. From what I can see it seems to be VIS 13, XXXX 11 in the 3rd quarter?

The team with the lighter jersey with the dark (red/blue) striped arms is most likely Penn (picture Bednarik's 55 All-American card).

No games would match up in 36 or 37. In 1938, they (Penn) beat Columbia 14-13. I don't know if Columbia had pale blue back then so I don't think they could be ruled out. In 1939, they lost to Michigan 17-19. Not enough detail in the picture although I would assume the yellow on the helmet would have appearred by 1939. In 1940, they beat Cornell 22-20 and in 1941 they beat Columbia 19-16. None of the other games I saw on a web-site had scores that would have finished up from a 11-13 3rd quarter score.

2cardguys

<< <i>I think it says "VIS", not Yale. From what I can see it seems to be VIS 13, XXXX 11 in the 3rd quarter?

The team with the lighter jersey with the dark (red/blue) striped arms is most likely Penn (picture Bednarik's 55 All-American card).

No games would match up in 36 or 37. In 1938, they (Penn) beat Columbia 14-13. I don't know if Columbia had pale blue back then so I don't think they could be ruled out. In 1939, they lost to Michigan 17-19. Not enough detail in the picture although I would assume the yellow on the helmet would have appearred by 1939. In 1940, they beat Cornell 22-20 and in 1941 they beat Columbia 19-16. None of the other games I saw on a web-site had scores that would have finished up from a 11-13 3rd quarter score. >>



I agree it looks like Vis to me as well and the second line looks to be U of P... I don't see any color... aren't these pictures black and white or is it time to head to the eye doctor?

georgebailey2

Your eyes are ok. I noticed a two-shade dark grey sleeve, knew the school colors (Hurrah for the Red and the Blue!) and the 55 Chuck Bednarik card and made a leap of faith.

2cardguys

<< <i>No games would match up in 36 or 37. In 1938, they (Penn) beat Columbia 14-13. >>



Blowing it up further I am sure it's Vis and Uof P.... but if that Vis score is a 10 and not a 13; then 14-13 Penn Columbia could indeed be the game and score... definately could be a 0 and not a 3...
(I blew up my screen zoom to 1,000% then walked away about 10 feet.... gave the same feel as being at the game and looking at the board from a distance).... tried that with the sign by the clock tower as well but couldn't quite make it out)

Ken

glad to hear the eyes are still ok....

bhelser

when you blow it up, you can really tell that it is 13 next to the VIS score....especially if you compare the 3 in the quarter box....

larryallen73

Love those old photos. Cool stuff!

Allen

Thanks guys, glad you are enjoying these. They are a little clearer when you blow up the originals, but I don't have them on this PC. I will add them later.

I knew it was Penn because you can see the U of P on the score board better on the originals when zoomed. I knew nothing about the pictures, but I did some more research on another picture that featured "Laurel Hill" tunnel and found out it was in PA and not opened until 1940 so I am think these pictures are 194 or 1941 based on a few other date keys I saw. I googled Laurel Hill tunnell and found out when it opened it closed in 1964, and on a bizarre side note I found out this:

Laurel Hill Tunnel is 4541 feet (1384 m) long. Its western portal is marginally visible from the current eastbound turnpike roadway.
Unlike the Sideling Hill and Rays Hill Tunnels, the Laurel Hill Tunnel is not on the bypassed section commonly known as the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike, and the property is still owned by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. In addition, the tunnel is not open to the public. It is routinely patrolled by the Pennsylvania State Police, who strictly enforce "no trespassing" signs. In 2009 it was confirmed in Racecar Engineering [1] that the current usage of the tunnel is for Chip Ganassi Racing, where it is being used as a massive wind tunnel for their NASCAR and IndyCar programs. Visitors to the eastern portal have confirmed seeing Ganassi's IndyCar and NASCAR haulers, equipment and supplies.[2][1]
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