roller derby (4 Ergebnisse)

Paperback. Zustand: Brand New. 120 pages. 9.00x6.00x0.28 inches. In Stock.

Paperback. Zustand: Brand New. 120 pages. 9.00x6.00x0.30 inches. In Stock.

Quarto (28cm). Staple-bound, illustrated wrappers, printed in black and red; [8pp]; illus. Old vertical crease; mild rippling and soil to covers; Very Good. A very early Roller Derby program, issued under the aegis of the sport's inventor (and long-time copyright holder), Leo Seltzer, and dating from the first three years of his promotion of the sport from a regional novelty to a nationwide spectacle. Seltzer had hit pay dirt at the beginning of the Depression by promoting "walk-athons," a spin-off from the "dance-a-thon" craze; but by the mid-Thirties these events had grown passé and Seltzer began casting about for a new competitive endurance spin-off. "Roller Derby" was trademarked in 1935 and, after some fits and starts (including a tragic 1937 bus crash in which nineteen of Seltzer's star performers were killed), the sport became more-or-less established in the form we know it today. A collaboration with Damon Runyon in 1938 resulted in most of the rules of the modern game; and Seltzer's skill at recruiting women skaters ensured the sport's popularity with members of both sexes. Roller Derby's links to the culture of the Great Depression, along with other similarly brutal endurance sports, have been well-documented: in addition to the promise of entertainment and prize money, such events highlighted the value of endurance, self-determination, persistence, and grim determination - all qualities in high demand during the bleak years following the Crash. The current program, produced for an event in Cleveland, includes a bio and portrait of Leo Selzer, action shots from previous Derbies, and two pages of portraits and profiles of the night's competitors, who included such future Hall-of-Famers as Peggy O'Niel and Johnnie Rosasco. The night's lineups are listed, and the sport's Rules and Regulations are printed in full; the rather crude cover art, depicting a classic "whip" move being executed by two female competitors, is signed "MacArthur." [54142].

Vintage "Roller Derby is Now!" press kit from Bay Promotions Roller Derby, circa 1972. An illustrated offset printed orange folder housing an abundance of promotional materials, articles, and testimonials for the official Roller Derby League of the early 1970s. The press kit, created for the Northeast Conference (NEC), promotes the sport on college campuses during its rising popularity in the early 1970s. Materials include an introductory letter to NEC members on Bay Promotions Roller Derby letterhead, as well as an announcement noting the screening of two films during the conference, the acclaimed 1971 documentary "Derby," and oddly, the 1972 ballet documentary "First Position." The kit also contains a number of copied testimonial letters from university participants, many written to Jerry Seltzer, the son of roller derby league creator Leo Seltzer, two copied articles about roller derby, and a promotional "facts sheet" credited to the "Roller Derby Television Network." Stapled to the right pocket of the folder is the business card of Larry M. Sadoff, of Bay Promotions Regional Office in Cincinnati, Ohio. During the early 2000s roller derby experienced a nationwide revival as an all-female, woman-organized amateur sport with a decidedly DIY, punk, feminist ethic. Since 2006 over 2000 leagues have been formed worldwide. Folder measuring 9.5 x 12 inches. Very Good plus, with some light edgewear and light creasing at the extremities. Contents Near Fine.