Part 4

Stand firmly with the heels about four inches apart, spring up as high as possible, throw the head back and down and try to describe a half circle with the feet landing in a position facing the same way as when starting. This should be performed with a “cut,” that is when the feet get well over the head catch the legs back of the knees and pull them down under the body. The way of using the hands in performing the back somersault will gradually come to the performer with practice.

_27. The Flip._

Sometimes called “Back Handspring.” Should be practiced over a moderately soft place. Stand with the back to the mat. Sink down so that knees come within a foot of the floor in front of feet. Throw the hands and head back. Strike hands on floor, about six inches apart, in a position such as is held while walking on hands. Do not let the head touch the ground. Then throw the feet up over the head and hands, describing a half circle, finishing facing the same way as when starting. Use the stomach and abdomen muscles when performing this act. Do not let the feet leave the ground until the hands are firmly placed.

_28. The Twister._

This is No. 26, the back somersault, with a half turn to the right or left, so that the finish is made facing in an opposite position from the position in starting. It is well in practising this act to try and turn just a little at first, then an inch further, and so on until the complete half turn is made.

_29. The Twist Flip._

Same as No. 27, the “flip,” only a half turn is made from the hands so as to finish facing in an opposite direction from that taken when starting.

_30. The Spotter._

This is the back somersault turned in such a way as to finish with the feet in the same spot they were when starting. It is best acquired by trying to make each finish nearer and nearer to the starting position.

_31. The Gainer._

Same as No. 30, except that the finish is made with the feet striking in front of the starting position.

_32. The Tuck-up._

This is a high back somersault performed without the “cut.” It is usually done as a finish to a succession of “flips.”

_33. The Standing Forward._

This is the forward somersault performed without a run. To do this one must jump high into the air, turning as he would in the running forward and “cut” by catching the legs in front, just above the ankles, and drawing them under the ankles. It is a difficult act.

_34. The Half Forward._

The first part of this act is performed as in No. 25, only, instead of having the feet describe a circle over the head, they stop in the air above head, and the landing is made on the hands. It is, in fact, a sort of jump or dive on the hands and stand there.

_35. The Half Back._

Like No. 26, only the finish is made onto the hands and the body balanced there. Instead of turning all the way around, jump back onto the hands and stand there. (See illustration.)

This concludes the article on “single acts.” In the next chapter I will describe how the acts can be suitably combined. A clever performer can make combinations other than these. In fact, there are an endless variety of combinations that can be made with the acts here described. Space will not allow of a longer or more thorough description.

COMBINATIONS

_36._ A succession of No. 5.

_37._ A combination of Nos. 2 and 3.

_38._ A succession of No. 6.

_39._ A combination of Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 11.

_40._ A combination of Nos. 11 and 8.

_41._ A combination of Nos. 10 and 8.

_42._ A succession of No. 8.

_43._ A succession of No. 11.

_44._ A succession of No. 10.

_45._ A combination of Nos. 7, 2 and 3.

_46._ A combination of Nos. 7, 2, 3, 4 and 11.

_47._ A combination of Nos. 7, 2, 3, 4, 11 and 23.

_48._ A succession of No. 21.

_49._ A combination of Nos. 8 and 33.

_50._ No. 13 through hoop.

_51._ A combination of Nos. 7 and 26.

_52._ A combination of Nos. 7 and 27.

_53._ A combination of Nos. 23 and 26.

_54._ A combination of Nos. 24 and 33.

_55._ A combination of Nos. 7, 27 and 26.

_56._ A combination of Nos. 7, 27, 26 and 33.

_57._ A combination of No. 7 and a succession of Nos. 27 and 32.

_58._ A succession of Nos. 8 and 34, then a succession of No. 27.

_59._ A combination of No. 7, a succession of Nos. 27 and 28, then a succession of Nos. 27 and 32.

Home Apparatus

“It is not so important to have big muscles as it is to have good digestion; it is not so important to have powerful muscles as it is, to have a strong, regular heart; it is not so important to have great skill with one’s muscles as to have good lungs and kidneys.”—_Extract from Spalding Athletic Library No. 161—“Ten Minutes’ Exercise for Busy Men.”_

The value of a few minutes’ exercise daily with scientific and properly designed apparatus, is rapidly becoming apparent to the vast number of business men who find it simply impossible to take regular outdoor exercise.

Spalding Gold Medal Indian Clubs

Model, material and finish as perfect as the most complete and up-to-date factory can make them.

_Natural Color, Lathe Polished, High Finish,_

Spalding Gold Medal Indian Clubs are made of selected first grade clear maple, in two popular models and are perfect in balance. Each club bears fac-simile of the Spalding Gold Medal. Each pair is wrapped in paper bag.

MODEL E

_Weights specified are for each club._

½ lb. Model E. Pair, =$ .60= ¾ lb. Model E. Pair, =.60= 1 lb. Model E. Pair, =.70= 1½ lb. Model E. Pair, =.80= 2 lb. Model E. Pair, =1.00= 3 lb. Model E. Pair, =1.20=

MODEL B

_Weights specified are for each club._

½ lb. Model B. Pair, =$ .50= ¾ lb. Model B. Pair, =.50= 1 lb. Model B. Pair, =.55= 1½ lb. Model B. Pair, =.60= 2 lb. Model B. Pair, =.70= 3 lb. Model B. Pair, =1.00=

Spalding Trade-Mark Indian Clubs

Stained Finish.

The following clubs bear our Trade-Mark, are made of good material, and are far superior in shape and finish to the best clubs of other makes. Furnished in two popular models. Each pair wrapped in paper bag.

MODEL ES

_Weights specified are for each club._

½ lb. Model ES. Pair, =$ .35= ¾ lb. Model ES. Pair, =.35= 1 lb. Model ES. Pair, =.40= 1½ lb. Model ES. Pair, =.50= 2 lb. Model ES. Pair, =.60= 3 lb. Model ES. Pair, =.70=

MODEL BS

_Weights specified are for each club._

½ lb. Model BS. Pair, =$ .30= ¾ lb. Model BS. Pair, =.30= 1 lb. Model BS. Pair, =.35= 1½ lb. Model BS. Pair, =.45= 2 lb. Model BS. Pair, =.55= 3 lb. Model BS. Pair, =.65=

Spalding Exhibition Clubs

Handsomely finished in ebonite and made for exhibition and stage purposes. The clubs are hollow, with a large body, and although extremely light, represent a club weighing three pounds or more.

No. =A.= Ebonite finish. =$3.50= No. =AA.= With German Silver Bands. Pair, =$5.00=

Spalding Indian Club and Dumb Bell Hangers

Made of iron and nicely japanned.

No. =1.= For Indian Clubs or Dumb Bells. Per pair, =16c.=

No. =1M.= For Indian Clubs or Dumb Bells, mounted on oak strips. Per pair, =25c.=

Spalding Gold Medal Wood Dumb Bells

There is Skill Used in Turning Spalding Dumb Bells. They Feel Right Because They Are So

Natural Color, Lathe Polished, High Finish

Spalding Gold Medal Dumb Bells are made of selected first grade clear maple, and are perfect in balance. Each bell bears fac-simile of the Spalding Gold Medal. Each pair is wrapped in paper bag. Weights specified are for each bell.

½ lb. ¾ lb. 1 lb. 1½ lb. 2 lb. Pair, =40c.= =45c.= =50c.= =55c.= =65c.=

Spalding Trade-Mark Wood Dumb Bells

Stained Finish

Spalding Trade-Mark quality. Made of good material and superior in shape and finish to the best wood dumb bells of other makes. Each pair wrapped in paper bag. Weights specified are for each bell.

½ lb. ¾ lb. 1 lb. 1½ lb. 2 lb. Pair, =30c.= =30c.= =35c.= =45c.= =55c.=

Spalding Iron Dumb Bells

Made on approved models, nicely balanced and finished in black enamel.

Sizes 2 to 40 pounds, =6c.=

Over 40 pounds, =8c.=

Bar Bells, any weight, wrought iron handles, any length made specially. Pound, =10c.=

Spalding Nickel-Plated Dumb Bells

=1N.= 1 lb. =$ .25= =2N.= 2 lb. =.50= =3N.= 3 lb. =.65= =4N.= 4 lb. =.75= =5N.= 5 lb. =1.00=

Spalding Nickel-Plated Dumb Bells

With Rubber Bands

=1B.= 1 lb. =$ .65= =2B.= 2 lb. =.75= =3B.= 3 lb. =1.00= =4B.= 4 lb. =1.15= =5B.= 5 lb. =1.25=

=Savage Bar Bell=—Especially designed by DR. WATSON L. SAVAGE.

=Model S.= Has large pear-shaped ends with a flexible hickory shaft ½-inch in diameter, producing a vibratory exercise, similar to that obtained with the French wand. Per dozen, =$6.00=

Spalding Ash Bar Bells

No. =2.= Selected material, highly polished, 5 feet long. Per dozen, =$5.00=

Spalding School Wand

No. =3.= 3½ feet long. Made of straight grain maple. Per dozen, =$1.30=

Spalding Calisthenic Wand

No. =4.= 4½ feet long. 1-inch diameter. Per dozen, =$1.60=

Home Apparatus

“If a man gets plenty of food, and his digestive apparatus works it up into good rich blood; if the heart is strong and regular so that this good blood goes to all parts of the body with vigor and regularity, and if the respiratory and excretory apparatus is in such good order that this blood is kept pure, the fundamental conditions of health are laid.”—“_Extracts from Spalding Athletic Library No. 161._”—“_Ten Minutes’ Exercise for Busy Men._”

Rational exercise with simple but correct apparatus will enable almost any man to arrive at approximately a correct state of health.

SPALDING IMPROVED MEDICINE BALLS

An excellent form of exercise for business men

Weigh from four to eleven pounds. The covering is of selected tan leather, sewn in the same manner as our foot balls. Quality throughout has been much improved and the balls as now made are extremely durable. The exercise consists of throwing ball to one another, and the catching of it develops the chest, exercises the back, arms, legs; in fact, improves the whole system.

No. =11.= 4-pound Ball. Each, =$5.00= No. =12.= 6-pound Ball. Each, =6.00= No. =13.= 9-pound Ball. Each, =7.00= No. =14.= 11-pound Ball. Each, =10.00=

Home Apparatus

“One of the aims of physical training is to make exercise interesting and enjoyable. To be beneficial in the highest sense it must be recreative. Particularly is this true of physical exercise for business men. As a class, in their daily work, they are kept on a constant mental strain. Besides, they are, to a large degree, physically inactive. Life becomes too intense, too serious, too sordid. Exercise therefore, for business men, must be largely recreative, relaxing and restful.”—_Extract from Spalding Athletic Library, No. 262—“Exercises with the Medicine Ball.”_

SPALDING HAND BALLS

Hand ball, played indoors, will keep base ball players and other athletes in good condition during hard weather when outdoor athletics are out of the question.

The leather-covered hand balls we make are wound by hand, and are the same as those used by the best ball players in this country.

No. =1.= Match, regulation size and weight, leather cover. Each, =$1.25=

No. =2.= Expert, leather cover. =.85=

No. =6.= Rubber, best quality, almost solid. =.40=

No. =4.= Amateur, leather cover. =.25=

No. =5.= Rubber hand ball. =.25=

The Irish Regulation Balls have been improved in quality and will give excellent satisfaction.

RED ACE, IRISH REGULATION red rubber ball. Each, 50c. BLACK ACE, IRISH REGULATION black rubber ball. Each, 50c.

For other balls suitable for Hand Ball Game, see page devoted to Lawn Tennis Balls.

Spalding Hand Ball Gloves and Mitts

No. =A.= Gloves. Best quality glove leather with stitched front and special wrist pad. Pair, =$4.00=

No. =B.= Mitts. Lightly padded. =3.00=

No. =C.= Gloves. Full fingered. =1.50=

No. =D.= Fingerless Gloves. =.75=

Sandow’s Patent

Spring Grip

Dumb Bells

A. G. SPALDING & BROS.

SOLE AMERICAN AND CANADIAN LICENSEES

An entire system of Physical Culture is embraced within the exercises possible with these wonderful dumb bells.

The bells are made in two halves connected by steel springs, the effort necessary in gripping compelling the pupil to continually devote his whole mind to each movement. This concentration of will power on each muscle involved is what is responsible for the great results obtained through properly exercising with them.

Sandow’s Patent Spring Grip Dumb Bells

No. =6. MEN’S=. Nickel-plated; fitted with seven steel springs. Per pair, =$3.00=

No. =4. LADIES’=. Nickel-plated; fitted with five steel springs. Per pair, =$2.50=

No. =2. BOYS’=. Nickel-plated; fitted with four steel springs. Per pair, =$2.00=

=We include with each pair of Sandow Dumb Bells a chart of exercises by Sandow and full instructions for using. Also a piece of selvyt cloth for keeping dumb bells in good condition.=

Spalding Home Apparatus

Exercise acts on the health of an individual in the same way as the draught does on the fire in a furnace. Pile on the coal and shut off the draught and you kill the fire. Continue to eat heavy meals and take no exercise and your health will be affected, not because of the food you have eaten so much as on account of the lack of exercise. A little exercise is all that is necessary to keep you in good condition. Some rational, pleasant and interesting exercise, persisted in with regularity and, preferably, with Spalding Home Apparatus, will help you to retain your health.

Spalding Chest Weight No. 2

An ideal machine for home use. Well made and easy running. Rods are ⅜-inch coppered spring steel. Bearings are hardened steel cone points running in soft, gray iron, noiseless and durable. Weight carriage packed with felt, good for long wear, but easily removed and replaced when necessary without the use of glue or wedges of any kind. Weight carriage strikes on rubber bumpers. Weights are 5-pound iron dumb-bells, one to each carriage, and may be removed and used as dumb bells. Wall and floor boards are hard wood, nicely finished and stained. All castings heavily japanned. Every part of machine guaranteed free of defect.

No. =2.= Each. =$5.00=

Spalding Chest Weight No. 12

We have just added this very well-made machine to our line. Cast iron parts are all nicely _japanned_. The wheels are iron, turned true on centers, and have hardened steel cone point bearings. The guide rods are spring steel, copper-plated. The weight carriage has removable felt bushings, noiseless and durable. Each handle is equipped with 10 lbs. of weights.

No. =12.= Each, =$10.00=

=THE SPALDING TRADE-MARK IS PLACED UPON EVERY GENUINE SPALDING ARTICLE. ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTE.=

The Laflin Friction Rowing Machine

Do not use oil on friction cylinder. If its action is not perfectly smooth a little clear soap rubbed on its surface will properly correct its action. The means used to produce the resistance is a simple friction clutch, which takes instant hold at the commencement of the stroke and retains the pressure till its completion, when it instantly releases it precisely as in a boat. Quickly taken apart without loosening any bolts or screws. Each machine is adjustable to any amount of friction or resistance.

No. =119.= Complete, =$16.00=

Home Apparatus

The apparatus listed in this catalogue is designed particularly for private use; i. e., in homes and private gymnasiums. It retains the same superior marks of quality which distinguish the regular line of gymnasium apparatus manufactured by A. G. Spalding & Bros., but its distinctive design permits it to be sold at a price more in keeping with its use than heretofore obtainable, without any sacrifice of practical value or durability.

Kerns’ Rowing Machine

Operated just like rowing a boat

=Suitable alike for the Athlete or the ordinary Man or Woman=

The ideal boat for home use and training purposes. Used by the leading athletic clubs, colleges and prominent oarsmen of the world, and pronounced the most perfect rowing machine ever produced. Fitted with the Kerns’ Patent Roller Seat and Shoes, the shoes having a three-inch adjustment, to suit either a tall or a short person. By turning a thumb-nut the belt can be tightened to any desired degree, and more or less friction thrown into the running parts, imitating the resistance which exists when forcing a row-boat through the water. The weaker sex can use the machine by simply loosening the thumb-nut which reduces the resistance; and on the other hand, by reversing the operation the resistance can be so increased that the strongest athlete can have any amount of resistance. The oars are pivoted in such a way that the operator can handle and turn them the same as he would during the return and feathering motion with a boat oar.

No. 600. Kerns’ Patent Single Scull Rowing Machine. Each, =$30.00=

Spalding New and Improved Worsted Jerseys

Following sizes carried in stock regularly in all qualities: 28 to 44 inch chest.

Other sizes at an advanced price.

_We allow two inches for stretch in all our Jerseys, and sizes are marked accordingly. It is suggested, however, that for very heavy men a size about two inches larger than coat measurement be ordered to insure a comfortable fit._

STOCK COLORS

=PLAIN COLORS=—The following stock colors are supplied in our worsted jerseys (NOT Nos. 6 or 6X) at regular prices. Other colors to order only in any quality (EXCEPT Nos. 6 and 6X). 25c. each extra.

Gray Orange Black White Maroon Scarlet Cardinal Navy Blue Royal Blue Columbia Blue Peacock Blue Dark Green Olive Green Irish Green Pink Purple Yellow Seal Brown Old Gold Drab

No. =1P.= Full regular made; that is, fashioned or knit to exact shape on the machine and then put together by hand, altogether different from cutting them out of a piece of material and sewing them up on a machine as are the majority of garments known as Jerseys. Special quality worsted. Solid stock colors. Each, =$4.50=

No. =10P.= Worsted, fashioned. Solid stock colors, Each, =$3.00=

No. =12P.= Worsted; solid stock colors. Each, =$2.75=

No. =12XB.= Boys’ Jersey. Worsted. Furnished in sizes 26 to 36 inches chest measurement only. Solid stock colors only. No special orders. Each, =$2.00=

SPECIAL NOTICE

_We will furnish any of the above solid color Jerseys (except Nos. 6 and 6X), with one color body and another color (not striped) collar and cuffs in stock colors only at no extra charge._

Spalding Cotton Jerseys

No. =6.= Cotton, good quality, fashioned, roll collar, full-length sleeves. Colors: Black, Navy Blue, Gray and Maroon only. Each, =$1.00=

No. =6X.= Cotton, same as No. 6, but with striped sleeves in following combinations only: Navy with White or Red stripe; Black with Orange or Red stripe; Maroon with White stripe. Each, =$1.25=

=Woven Letters, Numerals or Designs=

_We weave into our best grade Jerseys, No. 1P, Letters, Numerals and Designs in special colors as desired. Prices quoted on application. Designs submitted._

=PRICES SUBJECT TO ADVANCE WITHOUT NOTICE=

Spalding Coat Jerseys

=Following sizes carried in stock regularly in all qualities: 28 to 44 inch chest. Other sizes at an advanced price.=

_We allow two inches for stretch in all our Jerseys, and sizes are marked accordingly. It is suggested, however, that for very heavy men a size about two inches larger than coat measurement be ordered to insure a comfortable fit._

STOCK COLORS