The Chicago Bears were established by the A. E. Staley food starch Company of Decatur, Illinois in 1919 as a company team. This was the typical start for several early professional football franchises. The company hired George Halas and Edward "Dutch" Sternaman in 1920 to run the team when it became a charter member of the NFL, and turned over full control of the team to them in 1921. The team relocated to Chicago in 1921, where the club was renamed the Chicago Staleys. Under an agreement reached by Halas and Sternaman with Staley, Halas purchased the rights to the club, whereupon they were renamed the Chicago Bears. The Bears dominated the league in the early years. Their rivalry with the Chicago Cardinals, the oldest in the NFL (and a cross-town rivalry from 1920 to 1959), was key in four out of the first six league titles. In 1922, Halas adopted the team colors of orange and blue from his alma mater, the University of Illinois. The team moved into Wrigley Field, which was home to the Chicago Cubs baseball franchise. In 1924 the Bears claimed the Championship after defeating the Cleveland Bulldogs on December 7, even putting the title "World's Champions" on their 1924 team photo. But the NFL had ruled that games after November 30 did not count towards league standings, and the Bears had to settle for second place behind Cleveland.
The offered Chicago Bears over sized team photo dates from that controversial 1924 “Championship” season and includes the proclamation of “World’s Champions” that was rescinded. Held in a period matte and frame, the visible area of the photo measures 13” by 10”. The team members, including founding fathers Halas and Sternaman, appear seated on the field at Wrigley with the stadium scoreboard in the background. Names of those pictured as well as a “DeHaven, Chicago” photographers mark are embedded in the image at bottom. The photo shows small, scattered creases that do not distract from the clear, well contrasted image. Some soiling on the matte and wear to the frame are inconsequential. Apparent VG-EX condition.