Pennant Fever
Auction Finds, Football Friday, Sports

Pennant Fever #2: 1973 Philadelphia Eagles

by Chris Holmes

Now here’s a curious one. At a glance this just looks like an ordinary vintage Philadelphia Eagles pennant, right?

Philadelphia Eagles pennant

Attentive Eagles fans, however, might notice something different with this pennant. It features the short-lived white helmet with green wings design, which the team only used from 1969 through 1973. But it also has the Eagles wordmark that Philly didn’t start using until the 1973 season (at least according to Chris Creamer’s site).

That makes this pennant not only a rather unique specimen, but easy to date as well. Unless some printer really goofed, this could only have been produced in 1973, possibly early ’74 depending on when the white helmets were ditched.

Personally I like the white helmets, but that’s a topic for another post.

Don’t forget to check out the rest of my Pennant Fever entries.

Pennant Fever
Auction Finds, Sports

Pennant Fever #1: Los Angeles Sharks

by Chris Holmes

The Los Angeles Sharks played just two seasons in the World Hockey Association (WHA) under that name, from 1972-1974. After the 1973–74 WHA season the franchise moved to Detroit to become the Michigan Stags, and again mid-season to Baltimore to become the Baltimore Blades.

The WHA lasted until 1979, by which time the Sharks were long gone. That meant that as far as pro hockey went in the city, the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings were once again the only game in town.

(Click the pennant to see the hi-res version.)
Los Angeles Sharks pennant

Don’t forget to check out the rest of my Pennant Fever entries.

Suffragette Valentine's Day Card
Auction Finds, Ephemera

A Pair of Suffragette Valentine’s Day Cards

by Chris Holmes

I thought I had seen every type of Valentine’s Day card there was, but apparently I was wrong. Apparently it was a thing in the early 20th century to give out cards with a suffragette theme, as evidenced by the two cards I am sharing with you today. They both directly address the issue of a woman’s right to vote, which as we know was granted with the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920.

The first card, which I’m guessing was printed pre-1920, is pretty blunt in its message:

I’ll give you time to think it over!

Fairest Suffragette
Be My Valentine
And With This Bracelet
Link Your Hands & Fate With Mine

Suffragette Valentine's Day Card

The imagery of the handcuffs is pretty evocative, wouldn’t you agree?

The second card, which looks like it might have been produced after the 19th Amendment was ratified, seems to be decidedly less bold and progressive to me.

MY VALENTINE
If I can vote, why not propose?
If I am bold you must excuse me.
I’ve loved you for ages, goodness knows!
And don’t you dare, Sir, to refuse me.

Suffragette Valentine's Day Card

Maybe it’s just my 21st century self pushing judgment, but this reads like the lyrics to a Dusty Springfield song. Having won the right to vote, I guess it’s time to get down on your knees and snag a man?

(via Heritage Auctions)

Pioneer Club, Las Vegas
Auction Finds

Vintage Las Vegas Casino Chips from the 1950s and 1960s

by Chris Holmes

I don’t really have a lot of commentary for this post. I’ve compiled images of 21 (because blackjack) vintage casino chips from Nevada casinos. These all date mostly from the 1950s and 1960s, although there are a few from the ’70s.

Some of these chips are from Nevada’s most iconic Las Vegas casinos, while some are from other cities — like Reno and Jackpot — and aren’t as well known. But they’re all colorful and cool, and that’s why I’m sharing them.

 

For more fun slideshows, click here.

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AFL/NFL Pins, Late 1960s
Auction Finds, Football Friday, Sports

Here’s Some Neat Late ’60s NFL and AFL Pins

by Chris Holmes

Based on a number of things I see in this photo of classic AFL/NFL pins, I’m guessing these were produced between 1968 and 1971.

AFL/NFL Pins, Late 1960s

The reason I’m guessing ’68 at the earliest is that we have a Cincinnati Bengals pin, and they didn’t start play in the AFL until that year. Likewise, the Boston Patriots changed their name to New England Patriots in the spring of 1971, so it seems unlikely that these were produced after then.

Elsewhere, we’ve got some sweet old logos for the 49ers, Rams, Oilers, Cardinals, and Packers.

Vintage NFL Team Pennants from the Early 1950s
Auction Finds, Football Friday, Sports

Behold These Vintage NFL Team Pennants from the Early 1950s

by Chris Holmes

I stumbled across this beautiful set of six NFL team pennants recently, and had to share. The listing states that these are from the 1940s and ’50s, but I suspect they all probably date from either 1950 or 1951. I say this because of the pennant for the New York Yanks, a now-defunct franchise that played as the New York Yanks, New York Bulldogs, and Dallas Texans (not the same as the AFL Texans of the ’60s).

The Yanks only existed under that moniker for the 1950 and ’51 seasons, so no way the pennant was made before then. Likewise, the San Francisco 49ers didn’t join the NFL until 1950. And while it’s possible the pennants for the Rams, Steelers, Packers, and Lions pre-date 1950 I don’t think they do.

Vintage NFL Team Pennants from the Early 1950s

Click on the image for the full-size version, and enjoy some vintage mid-century NFL paraphernalia. To see how five of these franchises stack up in my all-time NFL rankings, click here.

"Who Profits from Profits?"
Auction Finds

Vintage Animation: “Who Profits from Profits?”

by Chris Holmes

I came across one of the more unique sets of 35mm slides I’ve seen on eBay in some time. They purport to be from a 1960s animated business presentation film called “Who Profits from Profits?” No other information is provided, and a quick internet search for the film yielded no results.

What I can confirm is that these are in fact some of the niftiest bits of vintage animation you’ll see today. Even business films, with their admittedly short shelf life, were animated with more care than most commercial or entertainment productions today.

If anyone has any information on this film please let let me know, I’d love to see it.

"Who Profits from Profits?"

"Who Profits from Profits?"

"Who Profits from Profits?"

"Who Profits from Profits?"

"Who Profits from Profits?"

"Who Profits from Profits?"

"Who Profits from Profits?"

"Who Profits from Profits?"

"Who Profits from Profits?"

"Who Profits from Profits?"

"Who Profits from Profits?"

"Who Profits from Profits?"

Life in Cuba (Kodachrome, 1955)
Auction Finds, Photography

Vintage Slides Depicting Life in Cuba, 1955

by Chris Holmes

All I know about this gallery of 35mm Kodachrome slides is that they purport to depict scenes from Cuba in 1955. If true, that means these were taken during the reign of Fulgencio Batista — and about four years before Fidel Castro’s revolution ousted him from power.

If I had to guess I’d say that these slides were shot by a foreign tourist on a sightseeing trip. Most of these photographs capture buildings and other landmarks in Cuba, and very few Cubans are actually seen.

Since I know so little about the island, I can’t even make any educated guesses as to what is shown here (although I think one of these slides shows the American embassy in Havana), but if you can then please leave a comment below. What I can say is that there a ton of sweet vintage automobiles to gaze at.

For more great galleries, click here!

1955 Honeymooners' Special Jackie Gleason Bus by Wolverine
Auction Finds, Games & Toys

All Aboard the 1955 Honeymooners’ Special Jackie Gleason Bus

by Chris Holmes

I’ve written before about the Great One, Jackie Gleason, on this site. Between his television, movie, and music careers, the man was a bona fide superstar during the 1950s and into the ’60s. So I don’t know why I was surprised to find out that his image was even used to sell toys. In this case, most appropriately, a bus. But not just any bus — it’s the 1955 Honeymooners’ Special Jackie Gleason Bus, produced by a company called Wolverine.

The Jackie Gleason Bus features Ralph Kramden from the Honeymooners, of course, but other Gleason characters as well. I can spot Joe the Bartender, Reginald Van Gleason III, and the Poor Soul. And awa-a-y we go!

1955 Honeymooners' Special Jackie Gleason Bus by Wolverine 1955 Honeymooners' Special Jackie Gleason Bus by Wolverine 1955 Honeymooners' Special Jackie Gleason Bus by Wolverine 1955 Honeymooners' Special Jackie Gleason Bus by Wolverine 1955 Honeymooners' Special Jackie Gleason Bus by Wolverine 1955 Honeymooners' Special Jackie Gleason Bus by Wolverine 1955 Honeymooners' Special Jackie Gleason Bus by Wolverine 1955 Honeymooners' Special Jackie Gleason Bus by Wolverine

Notice that while the bus is tin the wheels are wooden. I also think the POW! license plate is a nice touch.

For more auction finds, click here.

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