1968 Bazooka Felt Pennants

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

I just found a reference to a 1968 issue of these, approx. 14 1/2" in length. They would appear to be a true Bazooka premium and not available from Topps pack offer redemptions in 1968 (as I have not encountered any reference to them on Topps baseball wrappers or inserts from that year). I only had these down as being issued through the early 60's but this version includes the Oakland A's and no 1969 expansion teams which seems to confirm the 1968 date. Does anyone know if Bazooka was issuing these pennants throughout the 60's and just updating teams as required or of they stopped and then re-offered these in 68?

[Archive]

Posted By: Jeff Shepherd

Hi Dave - dug out some Bazooka wrappers from various years with pennant premium ads. As far as I can tell, Topps has been issuing some version of a baseball pennant through Bazooka Gum since 1953 or 54. Reading left to right, the comics date as follows:

Buzzy 1953-54 (slight precursor to Bazooka), Bazooka Joe 1955
1957, 1959, and a college pennant ad from 1949-50
1962, 1968, 1971
1979, 1983

For the most part the comics were issued during those exact years up to the 1970's or so, when they began recycling a series for several years. I think you could find 1983 comics in gum up to 1989 or 90. The circular felt patches can also be found as premiums throughout most of these years.

[toppcat]

OK, are these two of the 1968-ish Bazooka pennants? Looks just like a 59 premium but without the Copyright Bazooka wording on the bar at the left of the pennant. I actually picked up the Mets pennant but can't compare to '59 since the team did not exist back then. The Pirates are a match from 59:



But the Dodgers lettering and logo changed from 59 to 68: