I know scrums don't always smell nice, but this was ridiculous.

March 17, 2007 3:15 PM

I'm looking for a rather odd rugby-related photograph.

A couple of years ago I saw a very striking photograph, from, I think, the 1940s. It was a black and white photograph of a rugby match, but the players were wearing gas masks. I was wondering if anybody knows anything about this photograph, where I could look at it (even just online), or, even better, if it would be possible to order a print of it from anywhere.

If it helps, I think I saw it in a book of photography (surprise!) that was at Costco. It was sort of a coffee table book type thing, that I foolishly did not purchase. Unfortunately, that is all I can remember.

posted by synecdoche to Media & Arts (3 answers total)

Someone was just telling me about this book today: Gas Masks for Goal Posts: Football in Britain During the Second World War. I realise it's a specific photograph of a rugby game you're after, not football, but if you have no luck and similar images might do it might be worth tracking this down.
posted by paduasoy at 3:30 PM on March 17, 2007

You could give the Imperial War Museum's photo archive a try. You can access it here; the civilian section can be browsed here. (That's assuming it does date from the Second World War). I have had a quick browse and not turned anything up, but that's not to say there is nothing there. You might also contact the museum direct to see if it rings any bells.
posted by greycap at 2:01 AM on March 18, 2007

Yes, I came back to suggest contacting the IWM too. Their archivists have been helpful to me in the past.
posted by paduasoy at 3:08 AM on March 18, 2007