Originally Posted by 71buc (Post 1316563)

I think PM is the designation for pins sold at ballpark souvenir stands.

Originally Posted by MK (Post 1316658)

The PM designation came from the American card catalog originally published by Burdick and later revised by Buck Barker. I don't think the P and the M stand for anything, they are just used to designate different types of collectibles. PM 10 were definitely those pins sold by vendors outside stadiums.

Originally Posted by 71buc (Post 1316530)

I have been trying to learn as much as possible about these pins. Earlier I posed a number of questions about them. I thought I would share what I have learned to date.

What years were they produced?
I believe that they were issued from 1971 through 1974.
• The uniforms worn by Fingers and Tenace were last worn by the A’s in 1971.
• Getty images of Willie Stargell indicate that he began wearing the black helmet in July of 1970 and wore it until early in 1971.
• Willie Mays played for the Mets in 1972-1973
• Orlando Cepeda only played for the Red Sox in 1973
• Ron Santo only played for the White Sox in 1974

Are they all easel backed?
The reverse of those issued in 1971 did not have an easel back. The pin was attached to the back via two slots where attached the pin was notched. The image itself was wrapped around the curved outer shell and secured by a flat circular disc on the reverse which also housed the pin mechanism.

Those issued after 1971 seem to have replaced the metal disc backing with a cardboard easel back. The two exceptions to this I have encountered are Scott Garners Nolan Ryan and Willie Mays.

How were they marketed?
I have not found any packaging information to date. However I have come across a few that have a $1.00 price stamped on the cardboard easel (see Hebner photo) which leads me to believe that they were sold at ballpark souvenir stands.

Are there any known scarcities or variations?
So far I have found that the easels were produced in blue, tan, green, white, and yellow (thanks ooo-ribay). The pin with the head shot of Clemente is supposedly very scarce and commands a premium. I recently purchased mine for $80.00. I have no idea if I overpaid. Nonetheless it is the only one I have ever encountered. Prior to this I had not even seen a picture of it so I am pleased with the price. Advanced Nolan Ryan collector Scott Garner reports the Ryan pin is very scarce as well. To date I have only found Clemente, Hebner, Aparicio, and Tiant to have more than one version of the pin. Mike Kendall reports that the Santo pin exists with both Cubs and White Sox versions.

Is there a name or designation for this set?
None that I could find, however, both of the blue easel backs I own have instructions printed on them. They also have manufacturer information which was obscured by black marker. The printing on both states made in the USA and attributes the photo to Canadian photographer Fred Bruemmer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Bruemmer there is a manufacturer name that cannot be discerned and in capital letters DIVISION OF STANDARD PACKAGING CORPORATION. A little research indicates that this was a New York based company. A Supreme Court of Minnesota finding Standard Packaging v. Com'r of Revenue 288 N.W.2d 234 (1979) December 21, 1979 states, “Standard Packaging Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Standard"), a New York corporation, does business in Minnesota as Brown & Bigelow (hereinafter referred to as "B. & B."). B. & B. is engaged in the business of selling advertising specialties”.http://www.brownandbigelow.com/ Perhaps they could be called the Brown & Bigelow PM10s? I am considering reaching out to Brown and Bigelow to see if they could shed any light on these pins or verify that they were in fact the producers. I know my research makes a number of assumptions but at least it's a start. Does anyone else have any theories or opinions.

Originally Posted by batsballsbases (Post 1320956)

Mike I dont know about the astronut as it might be about space but I know there is a cubs one and here is the Mets one I have.

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay (Post 1321040)

Hey Al - is your Mets example marked "Dimensional Research" on the back?

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay (Post 1320947)

Are you sure the "Astronut" is an Astros pin? It seems like, if that were the case, it might say "Astrosnut." Perhaps it was just capitalizing on all the interest in space travel at that time. Also, the others are all California teams... :confused:

Originally Posted by batsballsbases (Post 1320956)

Mike I dont know about the astronut as it might be about space but I know there is a cubs one and here is the Mets one I have.

Originally Posted by 71buc (Post 1321110)

I had the same thought. I believe they were produced in 1965 as reflected by the Dodgers World Series championship of that year. Due to this I thought there was a reasonable chance that it was an Astros pin as they has changed their name from Colt 45s to Astros that year. However, I'm certainly willing to concede that may not be the case;)

Originally Posted by perezfan (Post 1321167)

Nobody has mentioned the Detroit Tigers/Briggs Stadium version yet, but IMHO it's the niftiest of them all.

Will post a pic of mine when time allows (unless Mike H or someone else beats me to it) :o

Originally Posted by batsballsbases (Post 1321181)

Mark,
If you were thinking of this one its made by Vari-Vue... And Mark that was a great example of using the work Niftiest in a sentence!

Originally Posted by MK (Post 1321227)

Here's the Cubs version made by Vari-Vue.

Originally Posted by perezfan (Post 1321167)

Nobody has mentioned the Detroit Tigers/Briggs Stadium version yet, but IMHO it's the niftiest of them all.
:o

Originally Posted by jimtigers65 (Post 1322428)

After seeing some of these amazing pin collections I decided to display mine. Yesterday, I went to Michaels Arts and Craft store and was going to by a shadow box or frame. Their had to be 30 people in line and only two cashiers. So I walked out of the store and will go back another day.

Originally Posted by jimtigers65 (Post 1322428)

My question, is it best to buy a shadow box and put some type of foam in the background or purchase a regular frame and squeeze them in? Some advice please.:D

Originally Posted by hcv123 (Post 1281792)

I own a Clemente from the same "issue". The work was done by a single photographer. I had researched it some time ago and cannot recall his name right now. He was a team photographer for a professional sports team. He did a number of portraits of Major Leaguers. I own/have owned both pins and proof photos of Clemente, Mays, Rose, G. Perry and a number of Red Sox players. I spoke with the photographers nephew a few years back. He still has the negatives, but was a bit skeptical about speaking with me about them - perhaps because whatever was "released" had no license. I have had my eye out for these pins for over 20 years - they are EXTREMELY scarce. The brewers group pictured is the first time I recall seeing any Brewers. The style of the photograph is the giveaway - They are always - players in uniform set against a solid color background - VERY high quality posing and image quality. The pins I have seen are also different sizes. I have seen at least 1 "super size" image of Clemente

Originally Posted by bigfanNY (Post 1324962)

Saw these on the Topps site and since I like old school buttons decided to order a set. Said that they were limited to less than 75 sets per team I ordered a full set of every team plus two Yankee sets. One I opened up and is shown here. This year they produced a number of 5x7 sets that had old school themes 67 stickers 69 posters 58 all stars. All a little tough to store and display but just cannot help myself. The buttons on the other hand should display very nicely since I have a hobby lobby down the road.
J

Originally Posted by delesch (Post 1331741)

Bump, anyone?

Originally Posted by sayhey24 (Post 1334334)

Just picked up this one -- I've never seen it before and really like the look of it.
The photo for some reason makes it look much rougher than it really is.

Greg

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay (Post 1334418)

I like it too. Any idea who the gent in the hat is?

Originally Posted by CobbvLajoie1910 (Post 1334986)

Not as knock-you-over amazing (IMHO) as Mike's Kiner find -- but, got this one as a 6.95 BIN, & was pretty psyched. It had been sitting for a little less than 2-hours; I was shocked that it was now in my lap.

I'd never seen one from the series before (or at least noticed) -- and ironically a "foxy" Staley from the same issue popped up within 48-hours of my pick-up (congrats, Al). Weird how our hobby works sometimes.

Sorry for the bad photo -- took it from the listing. Got a new scanner & trying to figure out the settings:

c1953-54//1.75'' for anyone keeping score at home

Originally Posted by CobbvLajoie1910 (Post 1334986)

Not as knock-you-over amazing (IMHO) as Mike's Kiner find -- but, got this one as a 6.95 BIN, & was pretty psyched. It had been sitting for a little less than 2-hours; I was shocked that it was now in my lap.

I'd never seen one from the series before (or at least noticed) -- and ironically a "foxy" Staley from the same issue popped up within 48-hours of my pick-up (congrats, Al). Weird how our hobby works sometimes.

Sorry for the bad photo -- took it from the listing. Got a new scanner & trying to figure out the settings:

c1953-54//1.75'' for anyone keeping score at home

Originally Posted by sayhey24 (Post 1337896)

A few more --

Greg