Sporting, The Cyclists Life Boat, Launched at Hartlepool,1887

From The Graphic Magazine, National Lifeboat Institution, 1887

Date: 1887

Publisher: The Graphic Magazine

Paper Size: 305 x 410mm

Print Size: 237 x 327mm x 2

Condition: Good

Technique: Wood engraving with later hand colouring

Price: $395

Description: Beautiful depiction of the Cyclists Lifeboat launch at Hartlepool England

Provenance

The History of English Sport

The English have always been 'addicted to sport' all through the ages and the games that people played often depended on their status in life.

Upper-class men spent their time at field sports like hunting, fishing and shooting as many were landowners and were able to host hunting events and shooting parties.

In the 1870s James Starley began manufacturing pennt farthing bicycles. These bicycles had one large wheel in the front and 2 smaller wheels at the back. In 1885, his nephew, John, built his famous Rover which had all the featuresof today's bicycles.

Two types of cycles evolved as time progressed and the original design, the penny-farthing cycle, became known as "The Ordinary" The second design with two even sized wheels. As these grew in popularity, races were often held between Bicycles and Ordinaries and all accounts report that the competition was fierce

Rowing had been used as a means of transport in Egypt, Greece and Rome but became a sport England in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The oldest rowing contest in the world is said to be Doggett's Coat and Badge Race which has been held annually since 1715 and has been contested by watermen and lightermen for more than 300 years.

Other renowned boat races began in 1828 with the Oxford-Cambridge University boat race and the Henley Royal Regatta which started in 1839. The sport was exported to America in the 19th century. Rowing has been staged at all editions of the Olympic Games except in 1896 when a stormy sea caused cancellation of the event.

To learn more click here: The History of English Sport 

 Everyone watches sport for basically the same reasons today. In the past during Tudor times, it was often to relieve anger and stress. Today, it is more about getting together for fun and relaxation. They watch for entertainment and pleasure

Sports in England have come a long way since the 1400s. They are not nearly as brutal as they used to be, though at times still rough. Rules are now official and are pretty much the same all over the world but the reasons for watching sport are all still the same. They serve as a reason for gatherings and meetings and for recreation.