Lot # 1219: 1912 University of Notre Dame Yearbook with Knute Rockne

College football’s most renowned coach Knute Rockne is spotlighted, with this antique publication from his formative days as a collegiate player. Presented is a 1912 University of Notre Dame yearbook in solid and appealing condition. This ancient edition of “The Dome” features four different group photographs with Rockne, along with a printed “Directory” listing that shows his name as “Kenneth Rockne” on page 174.

While Rockne is best remembered as a brilliant coach, it was during his college playing career that he helped make Notre Dame’s “Fighting Irish” football team a major competitor in the college game. Over his 1910-1913 career as a player, the Irish racked up a stellar record of 24-1-3. Facing Army on November 1, 1913, Rockne was on the receiving end of quarterback Gus Dorias' aerial assault, that ended with a stunning 35-13 victory. This game was the first to see extended use of the forward pass, and since then Notre Dame has been a perennial top-ranked contender.

Fittingly, Rockne is first seen on page 230 in a team photograph. On page 232 he is pictured with his teammates, including Dorias. He next appears on page 236 as a member of the track team. His fourth and final appearance comes on page 245, pictured with his fellow “Monogram Men”, a stalwart bunch of lettermen attired in their UND sweaters.

This handsome yearbook is complete and intact with a fairly sturdy spine, excellent cover graphics integrity, supple pages and light to moderate wear located mainly on the perimeter. Attached at front is an original period photograph of “Reverend Mathew J. Walsh”, opposite of page 3, which bears a dedication tribute from the “Class of 1912”.