In 1896, Recreation Magazine commissioned their young staff artist Hy Watson to create twelve promotional posters created in the style of their magazine cover. What emerged was something extraordinary – a year-long tale of an unlikely sporting duo. Each month captures a gentleman sportsman and his energetic dachshund companion tackling a different outdoor pursuit, from winter snowshoeing to summer swimming holes.

In 1896, Henry S. Watson (1868-1933), who 20 years later became editor of Field and Stream magazine, illustrated a series of twelve promotional posters for Recreation magazine. The posters were available from the magazine’s NYC offices at five-cents apiece. 

Each months’ poster depicts a different outdoor sport. They are designed in a black and white silhouette style and sparked with refreshing humor.

But wait … what is the story …

Are these about Watson’s energetic sportsman month by month, pursuing the sports of the season.  

OR …

Are these stories about Scout the Dachshund who convinced his owner to take him on adventures to experience the world together through hunting, fly fishing, ice sailing, and swimming.

We leave that interpretation to you.

We offer the Recreation Magazine Poster series to bring into your home to evoke the spirit of our Trusty Sportsman and his faithful Dachshund Scout.

 A number of original antique posters hang in the Buffalo River Co Library.

Prints are available today and framed print options coming soon.