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SEPTEMBER 15, 2010
5 GREAT
AMERICAN DRIVES THE FIRST TENNIS SUPERSTAR PLANNING A TRIP?
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AMERICAN PATRIOT THE FIRST TENNIS SUPERSTAR
BILL TILDEN
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6 TIPS ON COLLECTING
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AMERICANA
ON THE ROAD
5 GREAT EASTERN DRIVES
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FORGOTTEN HERO
GEORGE ROGERS CLARK
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15 THIS WEEK IN AMERICAN HISTORY
THE FIRST TENNIS SUPERSTAR
BILL TILDEN
With the U.S. Tennis Open just a few days behind us, the focus is on the 21st century stars of the net. But the first great superstar of the game was “Big Bill” Tilden, who continues to occupy a special place among the pantheon of great athletes. His dominance is unquestioned — he was victorious in every major competition he entered over a span of six years – but his legacy is that of a master, not merely a champion. To Tilden, who also shared an abiding love for acting, a tennis match was more an expressive performance than an athletic competition. According to Tilden: “The player owes the gallery as much as an actor owes the audience.” Born into affluence in turn of the century Philadelphia, Tilden was a sheltered child. He was forbidden to enter the city’s parks, and was tutored in the home until junior high school. His parents were brooding and aloof, having lost 3 children to diphtheria prior to his birth. His family
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life remained tragic, losing his mother, father, and brother all before he turned 19. Despite success and fame, Tilden would live with his aunt until he was 48 years old. This aunt suggested that young Bill seek refuge in tennis. Oddly, Tilden was cut from the University of Pennsylvania tennis team but, by age 26, independently reached finals of the U.S. Nationals, only to be crushed by Bill Johnson. Knowing he had a weakness in his backhand, Tilden took a job in Newport, RI as a private tennis coach. The arrangement allowed for unlimited indoor practice time. With a dedication bordering on obsession, he developed his topspin backhand, building strength by chopping wood, and repeating the stroke endlessly. His work paid off: In the next year’s U.S. nationals, Tilden beat Johnson in an epic 3 hour match. “Champions are born in the labor of defeat,” said Tilden years later. What followed was an era of dominance rarely seen in modern sport. Tilden would win seven U.S. singles titles, winning 73 matches out of 80 total. He won at Wimbledon 3 years in a row. He didn’t lose a match in 1924. Of this period, tennis writers were in awe of Tilden’s stats and style. “He is an artist,” Franklin Adams wrote, “Tilden is more of an artist than 9/10s of the artists I know.” Others saw it less positively. Paul Gallico wrote: “To his opponents, it was a contest, with Tilden, it was an expression of his own tremendous and overwhelming ego, coupled with feminine vanity.”
As the years pressed on, Tilden became increasingly enamored with theater. He wrote, directed and starred in several plays. Self-financing, Tilden lost great sums of money on his passion for the stage, and his wealth steadily deteriorated. He died at an age 60, bankrupt. But those close to him say he was generally pleased with his achievements.
WATCH A NEWSREEL OF TILDEN VOLLEYING
AMERICAN PATRIOT 5
TIPS ON
COLLECTING AMERICANA In recent years, objects and art related to our nation’s history have become highly sought after by people trying to capture a piece of their heritage. As with any collectible, some examples are viewed as more desirable than others and consequently garner a higher price tag. But if you know what to look for “telling the treasures from the trash” will become a very simple process. BELOW ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE HOTTEST AMERICAN COLLECTIBLES:
Quilts HISTORY Quilts were more than just utilitarian objects used for warmth. Throughout the 18th and 19th century women created them to mark special events in the lives of families such as weddings and births. WHAT TO LOOK FOR Condition, size, quality of stitching, and pattern all effect the value of a quilt with pictorial quilts featuring vignettes of family life or patriotic acts at the top of every collector’s list. The most valuable quilts are Baltimore Album quilts but good luck finding one. Only 300 of these quilts, with intricately embroidered blocks displaying scenes of early American life, were created. Crazy quilts are also sought after by collectors. These are constructed of irregularly shaped fabrics and were very popular in the mid-1800’s. VALUE Anywhere from $400 for a fine example of a crazy quilt to $2,000 for a pictoral quilt. At the high end, Baltimore Album quilts are worth $20,000-$100,000.
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Trade Signs
HISTORY: The first attempts at branding in America, trade signs hung outside stores and restaurants to add a special personality to the establishment and separate them from the competition. The signs first gained popularity in the 18th century and obviously never went out of style. WHAT TO LOOK FOR: When it comes to trade signs, a good rule to follow is the older the sign, the higher the value. The oldest signs are made out of wood, double sided, and are not graphically complex. Often these signs will simply display the name of the establishment and a date. Of special interest are signs for shops that have become outmoded such as taverns, blacksmiths, tinsmiths and cobblers. But don’t discount later examples. While not worth as much, mid-19th century signs with bold graphics can fetch a pretty penny too. VALUE: Anywhere from $300 for a cheeky 1950’s sign to $200,000 for a very early tavern signage. HISTORY: From Colonial times to the mid-1900’s stoneware crocks were used by farmers to transport their fresh crops to the marketplace.
Stoneware Crocks
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Maker’s marks usually add the most value to a collectible. In this case, Red Wing is the top of the line. These crocks can easily be differentiated from the rest by a Red Wing marking on the vessel. Norton and John Bell are also popular names in crocks. If a crock does not have a maker’s mark, the next best thing is a vibrant color or pattern. Cobalt blue designs fetch the highest price in this category. This is not to say that plain brown or beige crocks without markings are worthless, just that the value is greatly decreased. VALUE: Anywhere form $10 for a plain unmarked crock to $750 for a finely decorated Red Wing. HISTORY: America invented the campaign button. Its roots can be traced all the way to medals handed out during Andrew Jackson’s campaign in 1824.
Political Campaign Buttons
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Popularity does not equal value when it comes to campaign pins. Scarcity is key. The number of pins that were created and held onto directly effects the pricing. Often it is the losing candidates whose buttons see the greatest increase in value. So it’s a good rule of thumb that if you never heard of him it’s probably worth something. Another indicator of value is the quality of the button, pins made out of bronze and silk bring are obviously more rare than plastic and metal. VALUE: Prices are all over the map and there is constant fluctuation. For instance, Joe Biden’s buttons from his first political campaign are now selling for $50 when they were only selling for $2 before his election to the Vice Presidency.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON POLITICAL BUTTONS + MEMORABILIA IN PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS AMERICAN PATRIOT 7
The most dangerous animals in the forest don’t live there.
ONLY YOU CAN PR E VE N T W I L D FIRE S. w w w. s m o k e y b e a r. c o m
ON THE ROAD
5 GREAT EASTERN DRIVES Americans love their cars and the freedom of the road. As autumn sets in, there is no more glorious time to hit the road. Temperatures cool, leaves turn, sunsets flare, water sparkles, traffic eases. Here are five of American Patriot’s favorite drives up and down the East Coast; other regions of the country will be featured in upcoming weeks.
SKYLINE DRIVE Virginia’s Skyline Parkway is a 100 mile highway that has thrilled drivers and nature lovers since 1931. The dramatic changes in elevation, tight curves, and stunning views make the Skyline one of America’s best inland drives. Spanning the entirety of Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the drive is a designated National Scenic Byway. A stop at the Big Meadows, located in the national park, offers magnificent views and diverse avian and wildlife populations. 8 AMERICAN PATRIOT
THE FINGER LAKES
HISTORIC CAPE COD
OVERSEAS HIGHWAY
OUTER BANKS HIGHWAY
THE FINGER LAKES There are eleven “Finger Lakes” in central New York, so named because of their shape. A drive around any single one of the major ones is an hour well spent. The region’s charm is well represented by the stretch starting from Ithaca, along Cayuga Lake, then to Hammondsport, on the tip of Keuka Lake. Offering stunning lake and mountain views, the roads twist through mostly-undeveloped countryside. Dozens of wineries, both big and small, dot the landscape and offer tours and fine dining. There are ample opportunities for hiking and boating along the route.
HISTORIC CAPE COD Though Cape Cod has seen rapid development, the core of this original, unmistakably New England island is still very much intact. A day’s drive can take visitors through historic towns such as Sandwich and Yarmouth, sparsely populated and unspoiled beaches, and working fishing villages. Sticking along Route 6, the road becomes less crowded and more scenic near the north of the island, with giant dunes and marshes dominating the landscape. Provincetown, at the northern tip of the Island, is a noted hotel and dining destination.
OVERSEAS HIGHWAY One of America’s truly unique drives, the portion of U.S. Highway 1 that stretches from Key Largo to Key West, FL is a natural and engineering marvel. Connected by a network of bridges, one of which spans seven miles, the highway takes drivers over teal blue seas and white sand beaches. It may be the best ocean drive in the world —and for those who want a closer look at the water, it’s also the diving capital of the world. Key West, along the route, is worth a full day of touring, dining, and bar-hopping.
OUTER BANKS HIGHWAY North Carolina’s Route 12 is a breezy, dune-shouldered two-lane highway that runs the length of the Outer Banks. It’s popular year round — sparkling with sunshine in the summer, gray and melancholy in the winter — and connects the major historical and natural attractions of the area. A drive down the sandy pavement, stopping at national seashores, spying on packs of wild horses, lunching on fresh seafood: this is the unspoiled junction of America’s Mid Atlantic and Southern Regions.
THE SKYLINE DRIVE AMERICAN PATRIOT 9
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The Fall of the Alamo (1903) by Robert Jenkins Onderdonk, depicts Davy Crockett wielding his rifle as a club against Mexican troops who have breached the walls of the mission. 10 AMERICAN PATRIOT
A big city with a small town feel, San Antonio enjoys a friendly reputation and year-round sunny weather. For American Patriot readers, the main attraction of this Texas city is the Alamo. With more than 2.5 million visitors annually, this is the most important historical site in the city, arguably in all of the Lone Star State. The Alamo became well-known during the Texas Revolution and dates back to 1718 when it was first built as a mission. The Battle of Alamo in 1836 made it forever famous, even though the fight itself lasted only 13 days. Under attack from an overwhelming Mexican force of 4,000 led by their President Santa Anna, a small group of 182 Texans — which included such iconic names as Davy Crockett, James Bowie and William Travis — chose to fight to the death for the cause of liberty rather than surrender. Death eventually came, but the legendary battle cry of “Remember the Alamo” still inspires free people everywhere and the Alamo is seen as the place where Texas independence was born. While the Alamo is the focus of a visit to the city, other appealing and historic sites to see in San Antonio include The Riverwalk, three miles of paths built from stone lining the Rio Grande and filled with attractions, dining and nightlife; La Villita, which offers authentic arts and crafts in the historic downtown area; the King William Historic District, a 25-block radius that opens the doors to the city’s
This plan of the Alamo was created by José Juan Sánchez-Navarro in 1836. Places marked R and V denote Mexican cannon; position S indicates Cos's forces.
past with an architectural tour of that is on the National Register of Historic Places; and Missions National Historic Park, with five historic missions at the historic park dating back to the early 18th century along a 12-mile mission trail. (And for the kids, don’t forget San Antonio Sea World, the San Antonio Zoo and the local Six Flags!) CLICK HERE TO EXPLORE THE ALAMO AMERICAN PATRIOT 11
FORGOTTEN HERO
America stands today on the shoulders of giants, but all-too-often genuine American heroes are forgotten. Not here at American Patriot. This week we bring back to life, figuratively anyway,
George Rogers Clark, a celebrated and controversial hero of the American Revolution.
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GEORGE ROGERS CLARK Conqueror of the Old Northwest Clark, who was born in 1752 in Virginia, rose to become the highest ranking American military official on the Northwest front during the Revolutionary War. Serving as leader of the Kentucky militia, Clark fought throughout Ohio, Illinois and Indiana, he spearheaded the bold captures of Kaskaskia in 1778 and Vincennes in 1779. Vincennes was especially riveting as it resulted from a surprise winter march and the capture of the British Lieutenant Governor. These defeats served to weaken British influence in the region throughout the war. Since these victories came despite little support from the regular army in men and funds, they became a source of Clark’s reputation as a warrior, and when news of the triumphs reached George Washington, he used them to build morale and to promote the ultimately successful alliance with France. Once the Revolutionary War was won, the British ceded the entire Northwest Territory to the new United States in the 1783 Treaty of Paris. This led Clark to be hailed as “Conqueror of the Old Northwest.” Many historians consider his actions to have been crucial in winning the war and shaping the geography of the new nation. Remarkably, all these victories were achieved before Clark’s 30th birthday. It would be nice to say that the rest of his
Clark's march to Vincennes—the most celebrated event of his career—has been depicted in many paintings, such as this illustration by F. C. Yohn.
life was also triumphant, but that was not true. Late in the war, he failed in an attempt to take Detroit and several other expeditions ended badly. After the war, he led the fight against Native Americans on the frontier, with mixed success and rumors of drunkenness. The remainder of his life was plagued by financial difficulties — in part because the U.S. Congress and Virginia did not recompense him for debts he ran up financing the early military campaigns. Clark did receive a land grant in what is now present day Indiana. Years after his death in 1818, Virginia partially repaid his estate. In 1932, President Calvin Coolidge commissioned a memorial to Clark in Vincennes, Indiana, which includes a statue at the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park. Other memorials now help keep the memory of Clark’s contributions alive in Virginia, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana. AMERICAN PATRIOT 13
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.” — WILL ROGERS COMEDIAN, HUMORIST, SOCIAL COMMENTATOR EXCEEDINGLY POPULAR AND INFLUENTIAL IN THE 1930S.
LEARN ABOUT HIS HUMOR, LIFE AND TIMES AT THE WILL ROGERS MUSEUM IN OKLAHOMA 14 AMERICAN PATRIOT
THIS WEEK IN
AMERICAN HISTORY
1780. During the American Revolution, American General Benedict Arnold meets with British Major John Andre to discuss handing over West Point to the British. In return, he is promised a large sum of money and a high post in the British army. The plot was foiled and Arnold became synonymous with the word "traitor." WATCH THE TREASON OF BENEDICT ARNOLD: THE MOVIE AMERICAN PATRIOT 15
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