Her First Game- Puck Magazine

This spirited Puck magazine cover by Frank A. Nankivell captures the culture clash between Victorian sensibility and the rough-and-tumble world of late nineteenth century football. Two fashionably dressed women, one a nervous newcomer and the other a seasoned enthusiast, watch from the sidelines as players pile atop one another in what appears to be a dangerous scrimmage. The dialogue beneath delivers the punchline: when Mrs. Newcome worries they will kill the man underneath, her daughter cheerfully reassures her that he is unconscious by now. Nankivell's chromolithographic technique brings the scene to vivid life, with rich yellows and greens contrasting against the black finery of the spectators. The composition brilliantly juxtaposes the elegant world of Gilded Age society with the brutal athleticism of early American football, a sport then facing serious scrutiny for its violence. A wonderful example of turn-of-the-century social satire from America's premier humor magazine, this cover speaks to the era's fascination with both genteel propriety and rough masculine sport. A standout piece for collectors of American illustration or early sports imagery. Artist: Frank A. Nankivell