“1918” Boston Red Sox Pennant
 

Thank you, Rob, Greg, and Mark. I’ve been exchanging emails with Greg and will be preparing the formal dispute on behalf of my friend. I did email the seller and stated our position, citing your specific posts in the thread. He replied last night and was cordial, saying that he read the posts, but he still believes the pennant is authentic and a possible “one of a kind” from 1918.

I will post updates re the status of the dispute, and thank you all again for your time, information, and support.

(Buffalo) Mike in San Diego

A few weeks ago, someone listed a bunch of cloth Trench football and baseball pennants on ebay that had clearly been in storage for many years. No duplicates, but many different teams. Only a few were rare in terms how often they come for sale, but I think they were rare in terms of quality. I ended up winning the Giants and 49ers. If you ever wondered what these looked like brand new (minus a need for some ironing), here you go.

^^^^ Beauties! 👍

This person is trying to save the extreme profit they made or the poor decision they made to buy this from someone else. The “1918” pennant in question has all the telltale signs of a repro that others have mentioned. I have personally owned and sold at least 4 different of these original pennants. Your 1918 repro has none of the definition of the originals. Look at the font and the thickness and detail of the “ribbon” around the circle of text. In the genuine pennants they have more detail and you can see some very small “lines” in the screen printing meant to make the edge appear to be waiving in the wind. The “1918” pennant is 100% fake and I’m sorry if the seller is left holding the bag. They should have done better research. Dispute the sale and contact your credit card company if they used one. It’s 100% fake.

Annin & Co. of NY
 

Back to this "one of a kind" 1918 Red Sox pennant....

I happen to know that the genuine version of this flag (sans "1918," that is) was manufactured by Annin & Co. of NY (a.k.a., A & Co. of NY). To my knowledge, it was the only professional baseball pennant ever made by the legendary pennant maker in the 20th century.

I know this because I own the 1923 edition of Annin's sales catalogue. It features a page identical to the one below....

Note that the Red Sox pennant illustrated appears exactly the same as the others previously identified on this thread as genuine.

It looks nothing like the M&N repro; and it looks nothing like this "1918" job some unscrupulous pennant maker tried to pass off as being 100+ years old. If the design had been updated between 1916 and 1918, you would expect Annin to showcase the more contemporary variant by 1923, when this catalogue was published.

Case closed: it's fake.

Lost in the mail for a month, this beautiful Yankees pennant finally arrived. I know it’s not a “mini”, so what do we call this size? I’m thinking that it’s probably a 1940’s or 1950’s era pennant.

Blizzard conditions here in Nebraska [emoji3063] When your stuck inside it’s fun to enjoy your hobby! Figured I’d send some pickups over the last handful of months.

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Very conclusive Kyle.

With regards this statement "it was the only professional baseball pennant ever made by the legendary pennant maker in the 20th century."

I recall that this baseball HOF pennant from 1939 was made by Annin too???

You're absolutely correct. Annin made that particular Cooperstown pennant--has this label on the reverse.

But other than that Sox pennant, I know of no other pennant by them for a specific MLB team.

Awesome pickups Erik! Some super rare ones.... congrats!

Really like both Orioles pennants!

I agree. A very cool set of pennants. I love that 61 Reds.

Is the 1944 Orioles made by Epstein? It looks very similar to one by Epstein with the sliding baserunner

ANNIN & Co.
 

This has been quite informative, interesting. I wasn’t previously aware of Annin Co. Looking on Worthpoint I see they focused on some nice collegiate material as well, but apparently not that prolific. I have never come across these amazing pillow covers and the flags. I would love to find one. The football pillow covers are fantastic.

Not sure if it is ANIN, but there is a Stanford football (I think it's football) pillow in this picture. And about 192 other things I'd like to own.

Amazing photo Marc...

Here's a less spectacular photo, but anything that pinpoints the year of a vintage pennant is worth posting, IMHO. For those of us who have this Tigers Pennant, it's cool to know that it's from 1964...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/134531418341

Awesome Marc! There is also a Harvard football pillow on the back corner of the bed.

It could also be from before 1964 since it’s mounted on the wall. Who knows how long it’s been there.

I wish that photo I posted was mine. It's just a screenshot. I think someone on here sent me the link years ago. And catch on the Harvard pillow too. Being dated 1909 seems to put them in line with those in the ANIN catalog.

Mark: very interesting. I thought I had the exact pennant but mine here (cloth) looks a tiny bit different (proportional size of tiger head and lettering). I assumed mine was a late 60s ASCO, perhaps right before the trademark was required. In fact the lettering is identical to the orange Tigers with the 1969 MLB mark and it has the same stitch and “feel”.

I guess ASCO was spitting out team pennants earlier than I thought …

Interesting Greg…

I have it but it’s stashed away. I’ll try to find it. The colors and design of yours are indeed slightly different. I assumed it was a later 60s pennant too. Was a bit surprised to see it in a 1964 photograph.

Basically 11” without tassels….I’d call it a mini. I think your guess of an era is probably correct. Perhaps a bit later…

Thanks, Rob. It’s a cool little piece.

Another mini pennant question....

I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about this pennant? I think it's from 1936 World Series (Giants vs Yankees). It's about 9 inches + tassels.

I don't think it's part of the BF2/BF3 series.

I’ve always assumed these mini dated pennants were made with the intention of attaching to a small bat and selling them at the World Series.

I'm curious to know what you guys think about whether the top pennant in this picture might be older that the one below it. And when I say older, I mean maybe 5 years or so. Maybe early 1950s vs. later 1950s. To me, the top pennant has notably thinner tassels and I associate thinner tassels with somewhat earlier pennants.

The answer to this question really is not all that important, and I understand that there is almost no way to really know. I'm just curious what people think.

Interesting pennants. Don’t look like Trench nor WGN. Neither one has the really thin tassels that are indicative of the earlier WGNs. My guess is that they are roughly the same age although the feel of the pennants could tell a different story.

I purchased this pennant the other day and was wondering if anyone in the group could possibly shed some light on the history or if they have seen one like this before. I did a quick google search for York County Southern League and came up with just a few pictures. Any help would be appreciated. Also any help on how to convince your wife to let you display an 8ft pennant would be appreciated, lol

https://www.ebay.com/itm/305355116098

A pennant like that is super rare and beautiful and needs to be hung somewhere to truly be appreciated.

You can always get another wife!

I like the font on those. I also like the quirkiness of “49,” rather than “49’ers.”

As far as dating….. you’re the 49’ers expert!

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Keezer with seen on letters. Cool.

Some of my bigger banners are humg in our garage and, what they call in Utah (a mormon thing), our cold storage room.

x

Those are beyond impressive, Rob...

Laraine Day was married to Leo Durocher, but I'm guessing you knew that. :rolleyes:

And I NEVER get tired of looking at that Giants Banner with the Bunting... just spectacular in every regard!

Nice Mormon gal from Utah, married to a foul mouthed, heavy drinking dude. :D

I think they're identical twins, but the one on top came out first.

How did you hang the San Fran flag? I "really" like that example and I think you have another flag in your room correct...

It's not football, but I love my Amherst pillow with a leather insignia.

The orange banner especially is amazing …

1. Get a pool table
2. Never use it

(These are just under 6 feet long

There must be a Giants somewhere …

Do you know if there is an Orioles example?

and

1. You’ll find it.
2. I’ll be insanely jealous

:p

The black flag (burgee) in the garage, I stapled to the wall. :eek:

The bunting with the pitcher, I hung on Tapcons (aka "blue screws"), driven into the concrete foundation.

Yeah, I have a couple more of the "bunting style."

That’s a great pillow Hank. I love the brilliant color.

Here is an all leather pillow from c.1915.

Rowing Pillow - Reproduction Co. ??
 

Here is another pillow from about c.1915 too. (this isn’t mine, but I saved the picture). The rowing graphics are remarkably similar to the work of other Reproduction Co. pennants from that time.

Thanks! I have a similar flag, but it’s square, a bunting as well and looking for options to hang. Not sure I’ll go with the staple technique :D

You have some great looking items!

I have only seen two other teams (neither of which was Orioles) I bought mine in two batches. One came from a person who had both Angels and LAD, who claimed that he got them from someone who said they hung at the 1969 ASG.The fact that these are trademarked still suggests that more quantities were made. To think that there could be a Pilots somewhere out there!

Thanks for some of the background on these large pennants. You would think if they were made in larger quantities I would at least seen some examples. The ones you’ve posted are the only examples I’ve seen of these large pennants from ‘69.

These are just super-sized versions of existing 30” pennants, right? If so, I think the trademark symbol would have just carried over when they enlarged the silk screen, by whatever process they used. The trademark, in and of itself, doesn’t necessarily lead me to believe they were made in quantities. But you know more than I….

Correct and yes you may be right. These are enlarged versions of what I think is the underappreciated 1969 ASCO cloth pennant series. Everything is enlarged *except* for the MLB trademark which is the same size as it is on the 30”. These are a softer felt and the graphics are painted but with a rubberized texture so it doesn’t crack. Very strange.

One of the very early posts on this thread shows a beautiful Twins version from this series, might guess there are more of those around since ASCO was in MN.

Yeah, I can see the rubberized texture if I zoom in.

The fact that the MLB trademark is not super-sized makes me rethink my theory of the maker using 30” silk screens, somehow enlarged. Remember the overhead projectors from elementary and high school? That, or something similar, was the 1969 kind of “technology” I was thinking they might use to draw a new screen.

We may never know….but knowing the obsessive nature of some of us pennant guys, we just might! :D

I agree. The maker (ASCO) was probably obligated to use the MLB logo as part of their license with every MLB pennant made--no matter the team, no matter the size. And, if these were made as one-offs in support of an MLB-hosted ASG, I would certainly expect them to have the MLB logo on them.

The commissioner (and his lawyers) were bound to see them. They may even placed the order for them!

These had to be one-offs.

The Astros was for sale for several years, on ebay, for about $300. The seller then ran it as an auction and it sold for maybe $250? I could be getting those numbers wrong. I guess the question is whether the one Greg eventually got is the same one that sold on ebay years ago, or another.

Let’s beat this dead horse a little more, shall we?

This thing sold probably 25 years ago on ebay. It went for decent money, but nothing crazy. I still kick myself for not getting it. Based on the seller’s description, it’s not as big as the ones Greg has. It’s also polychromatic. Same series? Something completely different? What do you guys think?

I am elated to have finally acquired this scarce Cubs pennant. I passed on one about five years ago and this is the first one I have seen since. It’s not even in Egner’s Guide. Kind of glad I waited now, as this one is in slightly better condition and was less than half the price of the one I passed on 5 years ago. This is of course the odd “Ebbets Field” version in which someone decided to use the Dodgers home field and pass it off as Wrigley. While numerous Dodger pennants used this graphic, this particular Cubs version seldom surfaces. Maybe it was a limited production, or Cub fans were insulted by the image. Either way, I’m happy to add it to my collection.

And I’m happy for you, Mike!

Funny how you can often get a better deal after you come in second the first time around. The only problem is that you never know if you’ll see some rare pennants ever again. I can think of at least three Giants pennants I’ve only seen ONCE.

In case anyone is wondering, these are the three:

Thanks Rob. I usually end up paying more the second time around but this was a happy ending.

With me, I don’t have to outbid my Giants “frienemies” the second or third time around….if there is a second or third time. :mad:

That's a fantastic pennant. Congrats. (one more ebay search just added) :D

Same series! Offhand I believe the Giants and Twins are the only ones in that series that is one-color print, though the Twins were made in blue and red cloth. My big ones are 30” by 68”.

Yes that was me. I got 4 of my 6 from him for an even grand. His had grommets like the Expos above.

Post #107 on this thread presented this beautiful Twins example …

I’d love to know if the Twins is 56” or 68.” Seems weird that the Giants would be a foot shorter. Maybe the seller screwed up the description?

Based on the regular sized Twins, the big one looks like it is 68”. And I do think the Giants might be bigger than advertised.

ASCO was a legit pennant company. Those 19” player picture pennants are awesome and highly mysterious. Are there any known checklists? Years of production? A Mickey Mantle sold for near $2,000 awhile ago. Might there be a Willie Mays?

Agreed. Twins is a monster.

Enormous Burgee
 

Kyle (Domer05) and I were exchanging some thoughts on how much we both appreciate college pennants, and especially the burgee type (fish-tail) style. Thought I would share this scrapbook photo from 1916 of this huge pennant - I estimate it's about 6 ft long.

I love it Joe. Those felt burgees from the 1910s were so cool. Still waiting for a Notre Dame burgee to surface....

Wonder why the style never really caught on with MLB pennants afterwards? I can only imagine it's because it was more time-consuming to cut one than the standard triangular pennant?

I can't quite make out a Cornell Pennant in that picture, Joe....

Could you perhaps blow it up a little? :rolleyes:

I doubt this listing escaped you guys, because nothing much does. I noticed the D**gers pennant. Pretty unusual, I think. I also think it's from probably their first 4-5 years in L.A. The Giants pennant is not rare at all. I think the White Sox is common, as well, although maybe the "White Sox Park" variation?

P.S. Never a good idea for a seller to sell dissimilar pennants as a lot, IMO.

I find burgees a bit disturbing somehow, maybe just not used to them. Could be like inees and outees...

Actually the Giants isn't as common as you think. This one has better detail in the graphics than the more common version you see all over eBay. There are about dozen of the low quality graphic versions on ebay right now. None of this one....now that this auction has ended.

Speaking of Giants pennants with subtle differences...Did this Giant switch to a low carb diet? He appears to have slimmed down over the years.

I just noticed that strip of orange by the spine on that Giants pennant. What’s up with that?

Nice pennant and super tough.

Thanks. If another good one shows up in the next 5 years I’ll be surprised.

Going back to our recent discussion of various ways photos are affixed to photo pennants....would staples be an original way or was this one done at a later date? If this one is "wrong," does anyone have an example of the proper one? I do like this pennant, with "Souvenir of Shea Stadium," "Let's Go" and Mr. Met.

I think it's original...and it seems most instances are teams from New York. I have Giants and Jets pennants with photos affixed like this.

Here is an LA one from 1963, stapled.

Rick

Attachment 606736

Alrighty then. Would have been nice if they’d used photos that actually fit the square. :cool:

Additionally, I’m not sure I recall a picture pennant that isn’t cloth. Maybe the LAD had one on felt? Must be that the glue sticks better on cloth, I dunno …

I wonder if this ever got resolved?

Not the greatest condition, but it was a cheap variation I didn't have. And look...when I put it in a sleeve with another one tassel pennant, they both look complete! :p