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Experience the excitement—and danger—of one of America’s most unusual early motor sports.
This remarkable photograph captures a chaotic auto polo match between approximately 1910 and 1915. One automobile has overturned, a player is tumbling through the air, another lies on the field, and the remaining competitors continue pursuing the ball. The authentic motion blur emphasizes the speed and unpredictability of this extraordinary spectacle.
Auto polo became a popular exhibition sport during the early automobile era. Players rode in specially equipped cars while attempting to strike a ball with mallets, often resulting in collisions, rollovers and dramatic spills such as the one seen here.
The historic image has been carefully digitally restored to reduce age-related damage, dust, scratches and uneven exposure while retaining the character, natural grain and movement of the original photograph.
PRINT DETAILS
• Overall paper size: 14 × 11 inches or 10 x 8 inches
• Printed in black and white
• Old-fashioned caption and decorative flourishes appear beneath the photograph
• Frame and mat are not included
• Carefully packaged to help prevent damage during shipping
The original photograph was published by the Bain News Service between approximately 1910 and 1915. It forms part of the George Grantham Bain Collection held by the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.
Library of Congress title: Auto polo
Collection: George Grantham Bain Collection
Reproduction number: LC-DIG-ggbain-11114
Rights advisory: No known restrictions on publication
This is a newly printed, digitally restored historical photograph—not an original antique photograph.
A fascinating gift or decorative print for collectors of early automobiles, vintage motor sports, unusual sports history and historic photography.
This artwork is a digitally enhanced historical reproduction, independently designed by Simply Art by Sandra. Source: Library of Congress. The source record states “No known restrictions on publication.”
