HARVARD CRIMSON ROWING 1959-1960 HENRY ROYAL REGATTA CREW TEAM

Item #1476

Harvard sweeps Henley! 1959 was a historic year for the Harvard Crew teams at the Henry Royal Regatta. The Crimson varsity eight, which had been undefeated in the United States that year, and won the Eastern Sprints, secured the prestigious Grand Challenge Cup. They also won the Thames Challenge Cup, making them the first American college to win both of these prestigious events at Henley. The heavyweight and lightweight crews both had monumental wins in this unofficial world championships in the sport of rowing.

This spiral-bound 10” x 11 1/2” photo album with black pages covered by plastic sheaths is packed with Crimson Harvard history. Inscribed on cover using black pen ink reads: “J.A.F. Rows with Harvard — Henley Regatta 1959, 1960”.

This album is honed into the sport of rowing at Harvard University during the years 1959-1960. These pivotal moments in Crimson history are displayed here through a sparse fourteen photographs. All photographs were made at the renowned Henley Royal Regatta. Additionally, there are forty newspaper clippings announcing the wins, and celebrating the record-breaking years of the Harvard rowing teams. In 1960 Harvard placed first at Henley for the third year in a row.

One official program from the Henley Royal Regatta dated June 30th 1960. “J.A. French” is signed at top right corner of front cover. Jon French was a lightweight rower and the second seat behind E.L. Westbrook at the bow during the 1960 Regatta. According to a column featuring Harvard Oarsman Jonathan French, French began rowing upon entry into Harvard. At the time of publication (date unknown), the “Harvard lights [were] undefeated in 26 races over a three-year period, [and] are seeking to become the first American crew ever to capture the Thames Cup in three consecutive years.” And that they did!

Beside the 14 photographs which range in size 5” x 3 1/2” to 9 7/8” x 7 7/8” there are 47 newspaper clippings and articles, and 2 entire issues. Articles entertain Crimson Crew stats, speculations, events, and celebrations. There is one Harvard Crimson from Oct. 24, 1959 and one Boston Globe from June 15, 1961.

The Harvard Crimson paper out of Cambridge, Massachusetts, October 24, 1959 with a typeset address to Mr. Howard B. French—the father of Jonathan “Jon” French, former Harvard student and Crimson Crew Member. The paper is folded to page three where the article title claiming: “Crimson Eight Score Double Win at Henley; Crews Take Grand Challenge and Thames Cup”. The article is accompanied by a photo of the winning team and a photocopy of the resolution to congratulate Harvard University on their wins issued by the House of Representatives. An excerpt from the article entertains: “As the races approach, speculation and rumor spread eagerly, and spying and cunning release of misinformation become increasingly valuable. One afternoon when the heavies were commuting from Henley to their lodgings in Shiplake, someone asked the Crimson manager what time the train left. “6:32,” he replied. By the next morning it was common knowledge that the heavies had rowed a trial heat in 6.32, only two seconds short of the record.” In actuality, most of their races in the meet were over 7, except their Thames win which came in just under at 6.57.

Newspaper clippings and articles were collected from The Boston Sunday Herald, The New York Times, The London Evening News, The New York Herald Tribune, and The New York World-Telegram and Sun.

Additionally:
- The London Evening News invokes, “ Victory Could Mean A Ticket for Olympics” July 1960
- The Boston Globe copy June 15, 1961 with the headline “3000 Get Degrees at Harvard Today” beside other headlines of the day including: “Federal Judge Says No to Robt. Kennedy Plea in Virginia School Case” and “Pressure Increases to Resume A-Tests”.
- Newspaper clipping, article title: “Coach’s Orders: Beer Every Day”.

Price: $600.00