1880: Water Polo at Hunter's Quay, Scotland

Engraving of the 1880 Scotish Newspaper "The Graphic". It says: Water Polo at Hunter's Quay, Scotland.The Graphic was founded in December, 1869 by William Luson Thomas, a wood-engraver who believed that illustrations had the power to influence public opinion on political issues.
Source: personal collection
Note: This often reprinted illustration of players playing on barrels was from the imagination of the artist who had never seen the game being played. The first recorded description of "Aquatic Football" concerned a match played in the open water, outside London on July 13th, 1876.