Around the World on Skates

This fascinating article details the adventures of skating champion and performer William H. Fuller as he travels the world entertaining people with his skating routines and exhibitions in the 1860s. Although Fuller was a champion ice skater his indoor performances were carried out on the new sensation of the day 'parlor skates.'

From Boston to Australia and then on to India, Egypt, Constantinople, Russia, and Western Europe, Fuller performed for paying customers, princes, pashas, notables and nabobs. A young man with an eye for the ladies, Fuller charms his way around the world with panache and humor. The article goes into great detail about the conditions and inhabitants of each locale and offers a lively description of 19th century travel conditions.

Originally published in 1870, this 13,600 word article is as amusing as the day it was written and serves as an invaluable insight into the early days of figure skating.

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