Skip to main content
Gift of Mrs. Byard Williams, 1988.133.320, Connecticut Historical Society, Copyright Undetermin…
Bulldog Named Handsome Dan
Gift of Mrs. Byard Williams, 1988.133.320, Connecticut Historical Society, Copyright Undetermined

Bulldog Named Handsome Dan

PhotographerPhotographed by Horace Bushnell Cheney Sr. American, 1868 - 1936
Date1890-1910
MediumPhotography; gelatin silver emulsion on plastic
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 4 3/4 × 3 7/8in. (12.1 × 9.8cm)
Sheet (height x width): 4 3/4 × 3 7/8in. (12.1 × 9.8cm)
ClassificationsGraphics
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Byard Williams
DescriptionA bulldog sits outside, in front of a house with double doors. He wears a thick buckled collar and sits with his nose sticking straight up in the air. The bulldog's name is Handsome Dan. He belonged to John Davenport Cheney and was Yale University's first mascot.
Object number1988.133.320
InscribedHandwritten on envelope by project cataloger: "'Handsome Dan' bulldog. / According to Horace Bushnell Learned, this dog / belonged to John Davenport Cheney and was / the first Yale mascot."NotesNegative of 1988.175.3.20 (photograph in album)
On View
Not on view
Gift of Michelle Gavens, Andrew Gavens, and Lee Gavens, 2024.9.9, Connecticut Museum of Culture…
University of Connecticut
March 29 & 31, 1996
Gift of Lois Greene Stone, 2011.331.0  © 2012 The Connecticut Historical Society.
American Paper Goods Company
1951
Why Don't You Take It?
E.B. & E.C. Kellogg
1861-1862
Gift of Mrs. Byard Williams, 1988.133.334, Connecticut Historical Society, Copyright Undetermin…
Horace Bushnell Cheney Sr.
about 1890
Carlo at A, B, C, D.
E.B. & E.C. Kellogg
1840-1844
Gift of Mrs. Byard Williams, 1988.133.477, Connecticut Historical Society, Copyright Undetermin…
Horace Bushnell Cheney Sr.
about 1908