Chapter 6 Images

Edward Hanlan, 1878. Hanlan’s small stature, but muscled physique is apparent in the photo. Less apparent in black and white is the fact that Hanlan often wore “blue” colours in his competitions lending the description of him as “the Boy in Blue” early in his rowing career. Library and Archives Canada/Credit: Notman & Sandham/Canadian Intellectual Property Office fonds/C-025318 (p. 126)

A composite of photographs and painting (the painting by Frederic Marlett Bell-Smith) of Ned Hanlan racing Fred Plaisted, Toronto Bay, 15 May 1878. This painting is rich and accurate in its reflection of popular interest in competitive rowing. Of particular public interest was the series of races between Ned Hanlan and Charles Courtney. One of the reasons rowing was so popular was the practice of creating floating spectator stands and barges or watercraft right on the rowing course so that observers had a very close view of the events. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Toronto Library, 939-1-4 (p. 129)

Ned Hanlan philatelic issue data Canada: 17 cents, 4 July 1980; Colorano silk cachet depicting Ned Hanlan to honour the oarsman. The practice of commemorating athletes is common in all countries. This stamp for Hanlan was issued exactly 100 years after Hanlan’s first World Rowing Championship victory. Stamp © Canada Post Corporation, 1980. Reproduced with permission. (p. 131)

Poster for Louis Rubenstein fancy skating event, Miramichi Skating & Curling Club, 1884; skates worn by Rubenstein in 1891 World Championships. Notice the rich detail in the ad for Rubenstein’s exhibition event in Newcastle, New Brunswick. The skates reflect the terminology used for figure skating—fancy skating—of the era. Notice that these skate blades are more “rocked” or curved than early hockey skate blades; the curvature allowed for more intricate movements. Hillel Becker. Used with permission. (p. 134)

Louis Cyr Monument to Louis Cyr by Robert Pelletier in Place des Hommes-Forts in Montreal. Though somewhat stylized, the statue is a faithful rendition of Cyr’s “strongman” pose, costume, bodily proportions, and long hair, and also the nature of barbells in the 1890s. Courtesy of Don Morrow (p. 140)

Barbara Ann Scott, Olympic Women’s Figure-Skating Champion, St Moritz, 1948. This is one of the most famous images of Scott; she is caught at the apex of a stag leap or jump. Though the camera perspective suggests a jump of some height, the actual jump would be more one of technique during a routine when most of Scott’s prowess was in tracing figures, not more modern acrobatic-skating manoeuvers. Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada (p. 142)

Barbara Ann Scott doll, 1948. Barbara Ann Scott doll, circa 1950. The Reliable Toy Company produced the BAS doll from 1948–1954; the doll was on many young Canadian girls’ Christmas list for years. Canadian Museum of Civilization, 983.29.23, S89-1870-Dp1 (p. 143)

Barbara Ann Scott, 1946, photograph by Yousuf Karsh. Karsh was one of the world’s most revered portrait artists. His 1941 portrait of Sir Winston Churchill is said to be the most reproduced photographic portrait in history. This one of Barbara Ann is a stunning visual portrait that is reflective of the media’s attention to her beauty. Library and Archives Canada/PA-165921 (p. 145)

Maurice Richard, left, was suspended by NHL President Clarence Campbell for the final three regular season games and the entire 1955 Stanley Cup playoffs. Richard’s iconic and mythic status from his playing days during the 1950s until well after his death in 2000 is documented in Benoît Melançon’s comprehensive study, The Rocket: A Cultural History of Maurice Richard. CP Photo (p. 146)

Ben Johnson races as a junior in the relay event at a meet in Sudbury, Ontario, in 1980. In hindsight, it is interesting to note Johnson’s physique at 19 years of age compared to eight years later. See the photograph of Johnson on the next page, for example. Claus Anderson (p. 149)

Ben Johnson winning the Olympic 100-metre gold medal ahead of American Carl Lewis. This is the most famous image of Johnson’s triumph over Lewis in the Seoul Olympic Games. The media reaction to the victory was resounding in their praise for Johnson’s athletic achievement. ROMEO GACAD/AFP/ Getty Images (p. 150)