Postcards of Turn-of-the-Century Wrestling Heroes

1 minute read

In the years leading up to World War I, wrestling enjoyed a golden age in Europe and America, as the grapplers and men of strength who toured in the traveling road shows and carnivals of the 19th century became huge stars of the ring. Like today’s WWE and its imitators, the rules of the bouts were fluid—drama and performance were valued just as much as winning and losing. Promoted by top impresarios, complete with a narrative of colorful villains and likable heroes, the wrestlers’ matches were held in the largest venues of the day, and the top stars gained huge followings. These cards, collected over fifteen years from flea markets in Europe and the U.S., were sold as souvenirs to the fans who lined up to buy tickets to the event.

Wrestlers postcards
Liutov, a photo postcard; his sash declares him to be the champion of Russia Rykoff Collection
Wrestlers Postcards
Raoul Le Boucher, a photo postcard, French Rykoff Collection
Wrestlers Postcards
Unknown Woman, a photo postcard; the sport included a few female starsRykoff Collection
Wrestlers Postcards
Risbacher, a photo postcard; The caption, written in Russian, describes him as the champion of ViennaRykoff Collection
Wrestlers Postcards
Pierri Le Grec, lithograph. Published in FranceRykoff Collection
Wrestlers Postcards
"Prise de Lutte", a photo postcard The phrase translates as "wrestling hold"Rykoff Collection
Wrestlers Postcards
Bogatyrev, a photo postcard, RussianRykoff Collection
Wrestlers Postcards
George Hackenschmidt, a mass-produced photo card; Though he was one of the most talented of the turn-of-the-century champions, Hackenschmidt suffered in popularity because he was a poor showman.Rykoff Collection
Wrestlers Postcards
Vakhdurov, Russian, a photo postcard; His sash declares him to be a champion somewhere, but the place name is illegible. Rykoff Collection
Wrestlers Postcards
Arvid Anderson, a photo postcard, SwedenRykoff Collection

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