ooh. Too bad about the tape - that is so damaging to the paper!
I love looking at old adverts (and 1899 was the year my grandmother was born!) Interesting that the shorts today are pretty much the same length as 113 years ago - and they had studded boots. Wonder when they started that . . . *wanders off to find out* . . .
edited to add:
that didn't take long. The "Ellis Patent Boot Stud" was first advertised in 1886; they were like tacks, pushed into the sole of the boot. In 1863, the FA had banned any kind of projection from the sole of the boot - these "Ellis" studs were allowed in 1891, but they had to be made from leather, no more than a 1/2 inch high and the metal shank had to push completely into the sole, so the base of the stud was flush (no exposed metal).
Rather interesting that there was so much concern for health and safety on the pitch during a period of time when there were virtually no safety regulations in place for factory workers. There's a paper in there somewhere . . .
