FIGHT ON FOR OL' SC...

Established in 1888, the University of Southern California Trojans football program first achieved national prominence under head coach "Gloomy" Gus Henderson in the early 1920s. Another milestone came under Henderson in 1922, when USC joined the Pacific Coast Conference, the forerunner of the modern Pac-12. Success continued under coach Howard Jones from 1925 to 1940, when the Trojans were just one of a few nationally dominant teams.

These rare images date from the early 1920s and prominently feature Clif Herd (born Clifton B. Herd, 1892-1975), who served on the USC coaching staff from 1919 to 1937. Three of the photographs measure 4 1/2" x (truncated) 6 1/2" and feature Herd in period football attire. They may date from his playing days at Cornell University. The trio are neatly matted in an oblong frame above a handwritten description.

The fourth image (approximately 16" x 6 1/2") is undated and shows Herd flanked on either side by 25 members of the USC football team at Bovard Field. Notably, this panoramic photograph appears to include Brice Union Taylor (1902-74), the first African American player for the USC Trojans. Taylor started as a fullback on Gus Henderson's 1924 Trojan team. Howard Jones moved him to offensive and defensive line and kicker in 1925, the year Taylor was named USC's first All American football player.

All four images are sharp and unblemished. Displayed under glass in period wooden frames, one with the original Sherwin-Williams label on the rear panel. Not inspected outside the frames. (Inventory #: 78598)