This pic is of a group of young men from the Penman's clothing factory in Paris, Ontario, c. 1893. The triangle on their jerseys is a symbol used by that factory.That much we know. They are dressed for some sporting activity, perhaps a team sport which in 1893 is a fairly new concept - rugby and football have just been around for a few years. They are wearing sleeveless jerseys, loose fitting heavy cotton knickers, and rubber soled plimsole shoes. But why do they have these silly tricorn hats and curtain rod poles? Also, the pic is identified by someone as 'canaryboys, c. 1893' Any ideas?
Love a good riddle. Notice the "feathers" on the hats - something to do with the "canary boys" ID? As an aside, here's another unexpected team - 1981 Tug of War team at Bowdoin College in Maine.
I have no idea of what sport your boys may have been playing but I did find that John Penman was a patron of the YMCA. The YMCA adopted the inverted triangle as its emblem, "the upper side, representing the spirit, being supported by the two other sides, representing the mind and body". A red triangle was on the jerseys of YMCA sports teams.
Fabulous Donna - thank-you! That helps... Also, apparently a slang meaning for canaryboys at the turn of the century was a wag, or knavish youth - in other words teen boys at risk... Still don't get the hat and pole...
Basketball was a YMCA leader's invention in the 1890s, a way to provide "athletic distraction" and keep rowdy boys occupied. Perhaps this was a locally devised sport that never took off, LOL. Though arming a group of wayward teens with long wooden poles seems a bit risky...
This may be a long shot, but to just throw out another possibility I found an 1881 article about Canada's Great Fair Day, which was attended by many thousands of people. Many factories had exhibitions during the (week-long?) event in Toronto. Among the events was a Military Exercises event and a Drill Competition (although it notes the drill competition was by local school children).
Too interesting! Those poles have a "bulb" at the bottom, but not at the top. First I was thinking some form of golf but the poles wouldn't be that long. This is a great mystery. Maybe some form of field hockey??
Hi, Bottom row, third man from right has had military training. I am wondering if the team was involved in an early form of " Stickball or Stoolball or where a largish ball was pushed to a base or goal line. But am also wondering if pole ends were to prevent hands from slipping off. Don't know what feathers in hats meant to mean--maybe designate referees.
