I recently picked up a Koufax for $12, so they must be pretty common.

In general, Dodgers stuff from the 1960s is really common. In the late 1970s, I had a chance to explore Dodger Stadium, and I was given access to a room that was filled with boxes of old souvenirs of every imaginable variety dating back to the early '60s. It was staggering how much stuff didn't sell, and was sitting there nearly two decades later.

There seems to be a plethora of these pins on ebay lately. Prices from $65 to $200. I haven't bothered to notice if it's just the same seller, changing prices...I don't think it is.

Thrift store find from a few weeks ago:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...04578d7c82.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...566fb9a627.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great thrift store score!

+1 Like it!

Added two more today.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4913e1b451.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...7d7d22c5a1.jpg

Thrift store, again? What are you having to pay?

I wish. Ted was $10. These were $40 each at an antique shop.

You were great with the 10 Ted Williams... The other 2 not so much... The foxing (brown stains) kinda kills them. 10-15 each in that condition....

Rather overpay for something 70-80 years old that does not pop up often.

If you enjoy them then thats all that matters....

Does anyone have a specific year of issue for the Redleg Booster pin shown here?

Jim I believe it to be from the late 30s....

I think that’s a good bet Al.

I would have guessed mid-50s. Were the Reds called the Redlegs in the 30s?

FWIW, I would agree with Chris. 1950's would be my guess as well...
Font, and term "Redleg's" both smack of a later issue.

I've seen several references on the internet to the 1930's and 1950's, and at least one specific reference to 1946.

I guess I may not have anything more than just a date range.

White Sox pins
 

Guys............I picked up these 3 White Sox pins a couple months ago at an estate sale. They seem to be 1950's to early 60's era? I've seen a few of the smaller blue pins, but I can't seem to find any examples online of the larger 2 1/4" diameter white pin. Any info would be great and thanks in advance......Matt

Hi Matt the larger 2 1/4 pin is 60s and is a very common pin. Sells in the 10-20 dollar range..nice pickups... enjoy

Hi Mike I would have bet that also but in doing a little research it may be possible that those redleg booster pins may have been put out in 1953 as the then Reds didnt want any association to communism so they made a change to the redlegs..... The pins themselves look older than 50s but could they have been the redlegs before that ? Possible but for now I will correct myself and say mid 50s...:D:D And Chris +Scott I will lean with both of you!

Why do so many seller’s pages reference 1946?

As you may know, those little baseball looking things are actually “SS”, the logo for Sports Specialties. The were a concessionaire and their mark can be found on many pennants. Of my 800+ Giants pins, only one has the SS mark.

I see a lot of questionable dates used to describe things — for instance, I often see Exhibit cards of 50s and 60s players identified as being from 1946. What's true is that style of Exhibit card came out in 1946.

I can go through my collection of baseball memorabilia and give you detailed information about nearly every card, autograph, cap, jersey, publication, or photograph I have. But when it comes to pins, I'm a lot a loss to say who made many of them, or where were they made, or when they were made. The Muchinsky book has great photos, but it lacks details. Pins are a real mystery to me, and that's part of why I find them so interesting. Why are so many of them so rare? Maybe we'll never know.

Well, just to add a little more doubt to the actual date of this pinback, it should be noted that the Reds were called the Redlegs by the press at least as early as 1938. I happened to be flipping through Louis Stewart's (Johnny Vander Meer's girlfriend and future wife) scrapbook of Vandy's career through the 1937-1944 era with the Reds. I noted several references to the Reds being called the Redlegs.

Oh well...:D;)

See Scott now you have me thinking about my original thought to the pin being late 30s .... As i said from the start that pin looks older than the 50s..... So now what do we do ? I guess we will have to use the catch all phrase 30s to 50s era.. LOL;);)

Believe it or not, this was a Holy Grail for me. Part of a 1987-89 set with Will Clark, Kevin Mitchell, Candy Maldonado, Rick Rueschel and Joel Youngblood. Clark and Mitchell are very common; the others are tough, especially Rueschel. I had been looking for Krukow for 30 f**king years!

Congratulations it’s the little things in life that give it meaning ;)

Congrats Rob! The Mike Krukow White Whale! :D

At the Chicago National 2021 I picked up this beanie with 43 1933 Tattoo Orbit pins ($400) my favorite pick-up from the show :)

https://i.imgur.com/XtKnd0fl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Jntgfngl.jpg

Fantastic!

Has anyone seen this 2 1/4 inch pin of Jackie? I'm not sure what's on the back, I've emailed the seller and am waiting for an answer.

Thank you in advance for any help on this.

Do a bunch of scrolling:

https://baseballpinbackbuttons.wordpress.com/page/2/

I don’t believe I saw it here. Could be a fantasy piece (or maybe not).

Thanks for your post. The Jackie pin isn't in there unfortunately.

My thought would be a made up fantasy piece.....

Completely agree with Al… Fantasyland.

Yep. I hope this wasn't actually listed as vintage. Hate to see that.

Thank you all for your replies. I appreciate the information.

There are a ton of fantasy pins floating around. I've seen some major sellers on eBay peddling them — several have popped up in this thread. I suspect we'll see more of them since the pin market is so hot. A number of sellers use the word "style" in listings to protect themselves, and deceive those who don't know better.

Yes. And one reason why I cringe when I see these is that purchasers or folks who acquire collections may not know the difference and may represent them to be legit. Sometimes purely innocently but also sometimes out of willful ignorance. In any event, it makes the market more difficult to navigate for folks getting into this niche of the hobby.

Agreed as a pin collector for over 45 years I cant tell you how many people message me and ask Al is this real? Or can you look at this item and tell me if its good... The guy Pinzplus is the worst offender at putting out these repro pins...

I try and show people over the years what is a fake (well let me re phrase that reproduction) and this one seems to have come out alot more lately. The one on the left is vintage the one on the right is reproduction. Check for the longer extended name band going up the shoulder, much cleaner tin back, and photo much brighter on the front..... One of many showing up lately. Most people dont have 2 to sit side by side so they buy the repro not even knowing it is a repro...

Today’s antique store rescue!

Just picked this one up. Looks fantastic!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1ca678ea3d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...dbc93299b8.jpg

Hello,
Question for the group. Outside of a display cabinet, what is the best way to holder and care for individual pinbacks ? Thank you.

Pittsburgh Pirate Pins and Buttons
 

I am a collector of vintage Pittsburgh Pirate Pins and Buttons. I would be pleased to display a few in the future. Always interested in seeing Pittsburgh Pins and acquiring some that I do not have. I guess I am "pinhead" as well.

I get my cases from Indian River Supply. They sell cases from this size (12x16) all the way down to small enough for individual pins. The cases are pretty reasonable.

Thank you so much.

I think I have a problem. Grabbed a 3rd one of these this week:
https://i.imgur.com/h1wpA5n.jpg

Still trying to find the 1915 Pittsburgh Rebels version. Anyone want to trade? :)

Spotted this in an antique store a few weeks ago and today I got them to lower the price a bit, so it came home with me!

Very nice Jim looks like we hooked you in on pin collecting!:D:D

Hard to resist that simple, yet very cool crossed bats design.

I absolutely love the crossed bat pins. What amazes me is despite making these for over 3 decades for every major league team, minor league team, Negro League team, World Series, All Star Game, etc., we don’t know the maker. If this design was designated as a set, it would impossible to compile a checklist, let alone complete the “set”. Collecting them from the golden age of the game was certainly fun. I say was, because I don’t think I’ve found one I don’t already have in over 5 years.

Absolutely! I collected some before but it’s been on my mind more lately.

They’re pretty cool, right? The antique store also had a Dodgers and Cardinals pinback, but this Milwaukee Braves one just kind of called to me.

That’s wild. I wasn’t aware that the maker was unknown.

Yeah, none of my crossed bats have a maker's mark...except for the variation where they added the "little guy." These are rare. I'm not sure if my pictures show the complete set. They were made by the Midwest Badge and Novelty Co. of Minneapolis in 1962.

That's an awesome set, Rob.

Does anyone have an image of the Reds' version with the little mascot at the bottom?

I wish I could help. Personally, I have no idea if there ever was one. That said, here’s a couple more:

Hey wait a minute Rob I thought you only collected giants pins? Holding out on us I see..... I also like this version of the crossed bats pins..... I have seen them come in a straight pin version and a bayonette style pin back.....:eek::eek:

Giants only…those others are not mine.

BTW, I took calculator in hand yesterday and counted my (Giants only) pins….800, on the button.

Those were not made by the same company that produced the crossed bat pins. They were made in celebration of the Twins coming to Minnesota which is why their pin is different. Tough group to complete.

Wow, Mike! :eek: I can’t even imagine how you acquired all those! Do you know if there is a Reds version?

Yes there is but I don’t have it.

Thanks Rob and Mike, for posting the Reds version. Just another thing to keep an eye out for (which will never turn up, haha).

I think you have some specific Reds pins competition, don’t you? :cool:

And Mike, apparently.

You guys are all putting my meager pinback collection to shame. Guess I need to up my game.

I visited two more antique stores today and looked at dozens of political, Red Cross and anything but baseball pins. Went to a small card show beforehand and saw not one single baseball pinback.

I’m still searching though!

800 GIANTS pins? Jesus Christ :eek:
That's what I call amazing dedication. Super Wow!

agreed...:eek:

I just noticed a variation with the Pirates pin.

Yep. There's what's on the wall, what's in 16 other cases and what's scattered around. There are about 50 other pins I am searching for. Some would be a matter of luck to find; others a matter of luck and money.

That’s impressive! If I had the patience, I’d count my Cubs pins. If…..

It took maybe 10 minutes…a lot of the cases hold standard amounts…12, 18, 24, 32, etc. Do it. You’ll be glad you did. :p

OK Rob I did it. I came up with 456 Cubs pins well short of your total. Of course I probably have well over 1000 non-Cubs pins so my total pin number is higher. 😜

Nice catch Mike! Never noticed that

Anyone familiar with this Cubs pinback? I purchased it last night for my growing collection. Those weird, googly eyes were calling to me.

Nice little cubs pin Jim... I believe its the 1 1/4 inch one usually sells in the 10-20 dollar range..... Mike K can school you about cubs pins...:D;)

Thanks! Happy to learn from you guys. Any idea on age?

I believe 50s Jim

Great! Thanks! I thought it was a pretty cool pick-up for $5.00.

Jim,
This pin came in three sizes and was issued in 1951.