1874 Harvard University

This rendering is based on written documentation only for uniform style and color. No visual documentation is known. However, the written documentation closely matches a related year where visual documentation is known and that visual documentation is the basis for this rendering.

Rendering accuracy:

Year: documented    Team: documented

Visual documentation on this uniform:
None

Written documentation on this uniform:
1865-1875: “The first varsity ‘H’ was old English in type and in color magenta and was worn by the first university nine in the spring of 1865. It was embroidered on the breast of a gray flannel shirt similar in design to that of the old handtub fireman. […] Until 1876 the nine played in long gray flannel trousers tucked in their boots at the bottom.” From John A. Blanchard, Harvard Varsity Club, The H Book of Harvard Athletics, 1852-1922 (1923). Research from Brian Sheehy.

May 1874: “The Harvard nine has procured its new uniform…a decided improvement over last year. They have substituted a very tasty round hat for the ordinary cap, and the whole suit is trimmed in magenta. The Freshman have also got their uniform, which is exactly like…the university nine, with the exception of ‘77’ instead of ‘H’ on the breast.” From the Boston Post, May 11, 1874. Research from Don Stokes.

1866, referencing subsequent years: “‘Magenta was talked of as the Harvard color. When Horatio Curtis of ’65 and his crew [rowing] appeared with magenta handkerchiefs, magenta as Harvard’s color was established.’ Magenta remained the color of Harvard for eight years before crimson was restored.” From Peter Morris and others, Base Ball Founders (2013), referencing the Harvard Bulletin, October 15, 1902, and James D’Wolf Lovett, Old Boston Boys And The Game They Played (1907).

Team genealogy: Harvard University was established in Cambridge, MA, in 1636. The first baseball team organized to play opponents outside of the school was formed in 1863. –Information from Peter Morris, Base Ball Founders (2013).