THE RISE AND FALL OF THE SANDOW INSTITUTE

Guest

Conor Heffernan | Lecturer in Sociology of Sport at Ulster University, founder of Physical Culture Study.

Conor’s work primarily focuses on the history of health, fitness and physical culture in Ireland, Great Britain and the United States. Aside from his lecturing position at Ulster University, he’s also the founder of Physical Culture Study, an expansive website where he’s written about a huge array of topics within physical culture, strength sports and bodybuilding. Conor’s previous work researching the Sandow Institute includes ’Desirable Bodies and Eugen Sandow’s Curative Institute in Edwardian England’, an article which explores the advertising methods behind the Sandow Institute. Conor has also published several books on physical culture, including ‘The History of Physical Culture’ and the upcoming ‘Indian Club Swinging and the Birth of Global Fitness’.

Music

  1. Swag On | Mary Riddle

  2. Amore | Tommy Jervidal

  3. Tail of Crumbs | Martin Landstrom

  4. Why, Thank you Mam’ | Nicky Dowling

  5. Sonatina In C Major, Op. 36, No. 1 | Traditional

  6. With a Light Heart | Ofelia Moore

  7. ASR10 | Pro Reese

  8. Bobby Swing | Bladverk Band

  9. Speak Easy | Alexandra Woodward

  10. My Lady | Rich in Rags

  11. String Quartet in F Major, Mvt 2 Assez vif Très rythmé Ravel | Dover Quartet

  12. Gossip Talk | Arthur Benson

  13. Run for the Man | John Utah

  14. Cafe de Manha | Martin Landstrom

  15. Winnipeg Sneak | Arthur Benson

  16. Weak Spot | John Bjork

  17. We Must Be Prepared | Brightarm Orchestra

  18. Silent Approval | Howard Harper-Barnes

  19. Tablespoons | Martin Landstrom

  20. Bravo! | Nico Dickens

  21. Silver Maple - Reverse | Epidemic Sound

  22. Ardie Son - A Soaring Swan Sister | Artlist

  23. Sight of Wonders - Riding Home Safely | Epidemic Sound

  24. Ardie Son - Particles | Artlist

  25. Ian Post - Endless Fields, Pizzicato Version | Artlist

  26. Jon Bjork - New Scenes | Epidemic Sound

  27. Maya Belsitzman & Matan Ephrat - First Impression | Artlist

  28. Southside Aces - Is Leroy On It | Artlist

  29. Raymond Grouse - Pave the Way | Epidemic Sound

  30. Ardie Son - First Sunrise | Artlist

  31. Gavin Luke -The Sum Of All Things | Epidemic Sound

Sources

  1. ‘A School of Physical Culture’, The Ludgate (A look at Sandow’s School of Physical Culture), 1898

    1st Feb 1898 | Internet Archive

  2. ‘A Great London Health Institute and it's Director (A look at Sandow’s previously named School of Physical Culture, now rebranded as the Sandow Institute), 1909

    4th June 1909 | Internet Archive

  3. ‘The Drugless Cure’, Daily News, 1908 (A Medical Supervisor gives an account of Sandow at work in his institute)

    21st July 1908 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  4. ‘Health Without Medicine’, Daily Mirror, 1909 (Advert for Sandow’s Institute, featuring photos of the institute

    11th October 1908 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  5. ‘Arrangements for “Daily News” Readers to have Sandow’s Personal Advice on their Health’, The Daily News, 1908 (Sandow discusses a myriad of health conditions and states how exercise can ‘solve’ them)

    3rd November 1908 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  6. ‘The Exercise which Cures Illness and the Exercise Which Does Not Cure’, Truth, 1908 (Sandow speaks about the relationship between exercise and health, features some illustrations of his Institute)

    11th November 1908 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  7. ‘The Man Who Cures Illness Without Medicine’, The Quiver, 1908 (Advert for Sandow’s Institute, with extensive photos of institute)

    The Quiver, P.124-128 | Internet Archive

  8. ‘A visit to the Sandow Institute’, The Sphere, 1909 (In-depth look at the Sandow Institute, includes various photos)

    13th March 1909 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  9. ‘The Curative Field of Physical Culture’, London Evening Standard, 1910 (Small piece of the popularity of Sandow’s Institute)

    15th March 1909 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  10. ‘Health Without Medicine’, Army and Navy Gazette, 1909 (Advert for the Sandow Institute, featuring photos, using tagline ‘An Exact and Reliable Science’)

    26th June 1909 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  11. Truth, Weekly Journal, Volume LXVL, July to December, 1909

    t, P. 17, 45, 177, 199, 945, 946 | University of Illinois, Internet Archive

  12. ‘The Famous Sandow Institute', The Bystander, 1910 (Advert for Sandow’s Institute, featuring large photo of entrance)

    19th January 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  13. ‘The World’s Headquarters of the Science of Curing Illness Without Medicine, Daily Telegraph and Courier, 1910 (Advert for Sandow’s Institute, features a sketch of Sandow’s teachings being admired by ‘medical men’, which particularly upset the medical community)

    8th March 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  14. ‘Health Without Medicine’, Graphic, 1910 (Advertisement for Sandow’s Institute which photos various photos of the facilities)

    16th April 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  15. ‘Treatment Without Medicine’, The Sphere, 1910 (Promotional article for Sandow’s Curative Institute, referencing the ‘investigation’ carried out by Truth Magazine)

    14th May 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  16. ‘Death at Drayton’, a Question as to Physical Exercise’, Hampshire Telegraph, 1910 (Investigation in the death of Henry Harridge Phillips)

    28th May 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  17. ‘You Can Secure Perfect Health’, The Tatler, 1910 (Advert for Sandow’s Institute, features a photo of Sandow at his desk)

    20th April 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  18. ‘Some Notable Books on Health’, The Graphic, 1912 (Article on health and wellness, also references the ‘investigation’ carried out by Truth Magazine)

    2nd July 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  19. ‘Health and Success in Life’, The Tatler, 1910 (Article on Sandow’s Institute, features photo of his Institute)

    27th July 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  20. ‘The Romantic Career of Eugen Sandow’, The Tatler, 1910 (Profile piece on Eugen Sandow)

    3rd August 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  21. ‘The Greatest Crusade of Modern Times’, Daily Mirror, 1910 (Sandow’s establishment is claimed to be ‘the most wonderful curative establishment in the world’)

    7th September 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  22. ‘A Public Invitation’, Daily Mirror, 1910 (Advertisement for Sandow’s Institute, stated to be where ‘Illness is cured without any drug treatment’)

    21st September 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  23. ‘A visit to Sandow’s, The Sketch, 1910 (An extensive promotional article on Sandow’s Institute, complete with application form)

    21st September 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  24. ‘The Life of Baron von Hügel, 1951

    De Le Bedoyere, P. 141-142 | Claremont School of Theology, Internet Archive

  25. ‘Latest Scientific Discovery, Daily Mirror, 1910 (Sandow takes about the latest ‘scientific discovery’ in health and wellness)

    5th October 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  26. ‘A Visit to Sandow’s’, The Tatler, 1910 (Promotional article for Sandow’s Institute and publication series, features photo of the front entrance of his Institute)

    12th October 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  27. ‘Great Offer to all Desiring Health, The Sketch, 1910 (Generic advertisement for Sandow’s Institute and booklet series, includes ‘special application form for Sketch readers)

    19th October 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  28. ‘The Danger of Neglected Ill-Health’, The Tatler 1910 (Long form advert for Sandow’s curative services, which notably uses charts and graphs to illustrate different health conditions and their commonality)

    26th October 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  29. ‘London’s Great University of Health without Medicine’, London Evening Standard, 1910 (Generic advertisement for Sandow’s ‘health-centric’ booklet

    30th October 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  30. ‘Important Offer to All Desiring Perfect Health’, The Graphic, 1910 (Advertisement for Sandow’s Institute and health-centric booklet)

    12th November 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  31. ‘Remarkable Progress of Mr Sandow’s Treatment for the Cure of Illness’, The Tatler, 1910 (Generic advert for Sandow’s Institute)

    16th November 1910 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  32. ‘Mr Sandow’s Twin Health Offer to Readers of the Graphic’, The Graphic, 1911 (The Graphic concludes their second ‘investigation’ into the Sandow Institute’: article reads more like an ad)

    18th February 1911 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  33. ‘Mr Sandow’s Twin Offer to all Readers of the The Sphere’, The Sphere, 1911 (Sandow repeats the offer mentioned in the above article, this time repackaged as an offer for readers of The Sphere)

    18th February 1911 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  34. ‘What John Bull saw at Sandow’s’, John Bull, 1911 (Article reviewing/promoting Sandow’s Institute')

    18th February 1911 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  35. ‘Britain’s Home of Health’, The Illustrated London News, 1911 (Full page advert for Sandow’s Institute)

    The Illustrated London News, 1911, P. 629 | Internet Archive

  36. ‘Mr Sandow’s Twin Health Offer to all Readers of The Bystander’, The Bystander, 1911 (Sandow repeats the offer mentioned in the above article, this time repackaged as an offer for readers of The Bystander)

    29th March 1911 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  37. ‘A Promise of Health’, The Graphic, 1911 (Advertisement for Sandow’s Institutes and booklets, including interesting interest slip)

    22nd April 1911 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  38. ‘To the Out-of-Health and the Over-Stout’, The Graphic, 1911 (Sandow unveils case-studies for subjects at his institute)

    20th May 1911 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  39. ‘Doctors & The Sandow Institute’, Nottingham Guardian, 1911 (Coverage of the case between three doctors working at Sandow’s Institute vs the British Medical Council)

    27th May 1911 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  40. ‘Mr Sandow and the Doctors’, Truth, 1911 (Truth put up a case of a defence for Sandow, in the case between three doctors working at Sandow’s Institute vs the British Medical Council)

    31st May 1911 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  41. ‘The Sandow Institute’, Daily Telegraph & Courier, 1911 (Politician Oliver Locker-Lampeon makes his intentions clear to ask the Prime Minister about wether the quarry between Sandow and the General Medical Council has taken his attention)

    1st June 1911 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  42. The British Medical Journal, 1911 (General coverage on the case of the British Medical Association taking action against three doctors who associated with Sandow’s Institute)

    The British Medical Journal: Vol 1 Supplement, 1911, P. 384-388 | BMJ Publishing Group, Internet Archive

  43. The Chemist and the Druggist, 1911 (General coverage on the case of the British Medical Association taking action against three doctors who associated with Sandow’s Institute)

    The Chemist and the Druggist, 1911, P. 33, 55 | Welcome Library, Internet Archive

  44. ‘Mrs Mary A Harper’ (Profile piece on Mary A Harper, who would spread rumours of Sandow being a spy oversees in America')

    8th October 1911 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  45. British Medical Journal Periodical, 1911 (Update on the Sandow vs British Medical Association, Prime Minister states that he doesn’t see need to question the accusations and decision of the British Medical Association)

    British Medical Association, 1857-1911, P. 1445 | University of Illinois, Internet Archive

  46. ‘Mr Sandow’s Reply to the Medical Council’, Morning Leader, 1911 (Sandow states that ‘the Medical Council could not deny the usefulness of my Institute’

    1st December 1911 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  47. ‘Sandow Institute Man Throws Down Glove to British Medical Council’, Daily Mirror, 1911 (Dr Robertson Wallace retorts to the Medical Council, regarding them criticising his association with Sandow’s Institute’

    1st December 1911 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  48. ‘Mr Sandow and His Curative Institute: Remarkable Cures during the past few months, Daily Mirror, 1911 (Advert for Sandow’s Institute and health booklets, which makes reference to several of his subjects)

    6th December 1911 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  49. The Lancet, 1911 (Coverage of the case between Sandow and the British Medical Association, who threaten to strip the medical status of three doctors who associate with his practice)

    The Lancet, P 1635, 1643, 1644 | Internet Archive

  50. ‘This Book Series of Mr Sandow’s Health Library is Now Being Distributed’, The Mirror, 1912 (Advert for Sandow’s latest book, with ‘Sandow Health Library Coupon’)

    4th January 1912 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  51. ‘Enormous Response to Mr Sandow’s Great “Back-to-Health” Offer’, Daily Mirror, 1912 (Advert for Sandow’s Health Library Series)

    23rd January 1912 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  52. The Health Opportunity of a Life-Time’, Daily Mirror, 1912 (Sandow presents a limited time offer to readers of the Daily Mirror)

    27th January 1912 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  53. ‘The Health Opportunity of a Life-Time’, Daily News, 1912 (Sandow presents the same limited time as above, now repackaged to readers of the Daily News)

    31st January 1912 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  54. ‘Enormous Response to Mr. Sandow’s Great 29-Day “Health-for-All Offer, Daily News, 1912 (Advert for Sandow’s Institute and Illustrated Health Library)

    15th February 1912 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  55. ‘The Health Opportunity of a Life-Time’, The Tatler, 1912 (Sandow repackages an earlier offer presented in February, now for The Tatler readers)

    20th March 1912 | Internet Archive

  56. ‘The Health Opportunity of a Life-Time’, Daily Mirror, 1912 (Sandow repackages an earlier offer presented in February)

    28th March 1912 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  57. ‘Reducing Weight at Sandow’s’, London Evening Standard, 1912 (Article covering how exercise at Sandow’s Institute can help reduce obesity’

    11th June 1912 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  58. ‘Mr Sandow on The Wonderful Mechanics of Digestion’, Daily Mirror, 1912 (Sandow claims his treatment can help strengthen the digestive organs’)

    12th July 1912 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  59. ‘My Sandow’s Advice to Rheumatic and Gouty’, Daily Mirror, 1912 (Sandow discusses how his treatment can prevent Gout and Rheumatism)

    18th July 1912 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  60. ‘Remarkable Three-fold Health Offer’, The Quiver, 1912 (Large advertisement for Sandow’s booklets, labelled ‘Mr Sandow’s Practical Plan to bring Perfect Health to 100,00 Men and Women’)

    May 1912 | Internet Archive

  61. ‘Mr Sandow on Heart Fright’, Daily Mirror, 1912 (Sandow speaks about avoiding heart desease, while promoting his institute and cocoa beverage)

    15th October 1912 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  62. Mr Sandow on the War in The Body, Daily Mirror, 1912 (Sandow speaks about the ‘cure’ for constipation, while promoting his services)

    24th October 1912 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  63. ‘London’s Great University of Health Without Medicine’, London Evening Standard, 1912 (Advert for Sandow’s newest publication, ‘Health from Physical Culture’

    30th October 1912 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  64. ‘370,000 Letters for Mr. Sandow’, Daily Mirror, 1912

    18th December 1912 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  65. ‘Heat and Sleeplessness’, Daily News, 1913 (A columnist testifies to the effectiveness of the Sandow method, as he’s referenced as 'The Great Apostle of Drugless Healing’)

    5th May 1913 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  66. ‘The Health Wizard of St James’ Street’, The Bystander, 1913 (Promotional article for Sandow’s Institute, featuring sketch)

    21st May 1913 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  67. ‘A Visit to Mr. Sandow, The Bystander, 1914

    04th February 1914 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  68. ‘The Home of Health-Making’, The Bystander, 1914 (Small advert for Sandow’s Institute)

    18th February 1914 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  69. ‘Sandow Shot as Spy, The Washington Herald, 1914

    24th December 1915 | Library of Congress

  70. ‘Mr Sandow on Neurasthenia’, The Aeroplane, 1918 (Sandow on nervous exhaustion, while promoting his services, includes a custom coupon for The Aeroplane readers)

    16th October 1918 | Internet Archive

  71. ‘Mr Sandow on The Fears of the Neurasthenic’, Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 1919 (Advert for Sandow’s services, where he continues to highlight how his system can ‘cure’ a range of health conditions)

    9th April 1919 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  72. ‘Mr Sandow on Natural & Scientific Nerve-Culture, The Aeroplane Magazine, 1919 (Sandow speaks about the nerves of the body, while promoting his Institute)

    30th April 1919 | Internet Archive

  73. ‘Neurasthenia!’, Daily Mirror, 1921 (Advert for Sandow’s Institute and publications, includes photo of him in his older age)

    8th November 1921 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  74. ‘Neurasthenia!’, Daily Mirror, 1922 (Advert for Sandow’s various publications and institute)

    14th February 1922 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  75. ‘Mr Sandow on Health Bankruptcy (Neurasethenia), The New Statestman, 1922 (Advertisement for Sandow’s course and institute)

    1st April 1922 | Internet Archive

  76. ‘Mr Sandow explains the Causes and Reveals the Cure of Neurasthenia, Daily Mirror, 1922 (Advertisement for Sandow’s Institute)

    26th April 1922 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  77. ‘Without Medicine', Daily Mirror, 1922 (Promotional article for Sandow and his various products, shows the strongman at 55 years old)

    10th October 1922 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  78. ‘The 15 Treatises in Sandow’s Health Library’, Daily Mirror, 1923 (A breakdown of all of Sandow’s health related booklets)

    16th January 1923 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  79. ‘Nature’s Wonderful Triumph Over Illness’, Daily Herald, 1923 (Promotional article for Sandow’s Institute)

    6th March 1923 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  80. ‘Curing Illness Without Medicine’, Daily Mirror, 1923 (Advert for Sandow’s booklets and institutes, breaks down the individual health conditions that the institute has ‘treated’)

    1st May 1923 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  81. ‘Health for You: Without Medicine’, Daily Herald, 1923 (Advert for Sandow Health Library)

    14th September 1923 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  82. ‘Curing Illness Without Medicine’, Daily News, 1925 (Advert for Sandow’s Institute, shows photos of the institute, which looks largely unchanged from a decade earlier)

    17th September 1925 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  83. ‘Nature’s Wonderful Triumph Over Illness’, Westminster Gazette, 1925 (Advertisement for Sandow’s Institute, notably states to have ‘200,000 cases cured’)

    30th December 1925 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  84. ‘Wonderful Cures of Illness without Medicine’, Daily Mirror, 1926 (Advertisement for Sandow’s Institute)

    7th April 1926 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]

  85. ‘Wonderful Treatment of Illness Without Medicine’, Daily News, 1926 (Advert for Sandow’s Institute, stated that his institute has ‘treated’ nearly a quarter of a million people)

    12th April 1926 | British Newspaper Archive [Login required to view]