The first “Boat Race” as the Harvard Yale Regatta is also known was contested in 1852. It is the oldest collegiate athletic event held in the United States. The first race was rowed on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, it has since moved to the Thames River in New London, Connecticut. The race is normally held in the middle of June. Programs produced for the annual race are beautiful. The 1905 program features a Yale crew member on the cover:

The 1929 is one of our favorites and makes brilliant use of clouds on the fantastic cover:

1956 shows off a nautical theme:

Regatta programs represent something of a rorschach test for the high society crowd. The advertisements in the programs track the tastes and mores of the privileged crowd through the years.

We have a nice selection of Harvard Yale Regatta programs on our website