Lot # 1223: 1922 Dayton Triangles Versus Minneapolis Marines Early NFL Program - Exceedingly Rare Example From First Season Under NFL Banner

Head back to the dawn of the NFL, with this 1922 Dayton Triangles versus Minneapolis Marines program. Founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA), the fledgling organization rebranded itself the National Football League in 1922. This exceedingly rare 1922 Triangles program is from the first season under the new NFL banner. Throughout its first decade of play, the NFL was a continually evolving enterprise, with dozens of teams dropping in and out. Neither the Triangles, nor the Marines made it to the 1930s, and gameday souvenirs from either franchise are ridiculously tough.

Though folded vertically down the center, this hardy survivor otherwise presents handsomely, with a crisp, clean cover, displaying bold graphics. The pages are clean and supple, and the scoring grid is unused. Pictured throughout, are the Triangles players, in photographs interspersed among an array of advertising for local Dayton businesses. Some of the more important Dayton stars noted, are team captain Eddie Sauer, Al Mahrt, "Hobby" Kenderdine, and Lou Partlow, who is cited as scoring the first official touchdown in NFL history, on October 3rd, 1920, against the Columbus Panhandles.

Following the 1922 season, the Dayton Triangles became a "traveling team" for the remainder of their history, playing only the season openers of 1923 and 1924 at their home field, Triangle Park. In all, they played just nineteen games at Triangle Park, including five in 1922, and none after the first game of 1924. So, it's easy to say all of their home field gameday souvenirs are super tough. For those adventurous souls aspiring to build a collection of first decade NFL programs, this one is a must.