Speaking of Brooks Robinson pins.....
 

Whoever snagged this one for $20 - got a steal!

Brooksie pin
 

Howard,

That is also a great Brooksie pin. I really like the color that was used as a background and the large size. I also like it because as you can see he's not wearing his jersey, but another players; maybe Davey Johnson?

Keeping with the recent Brooks Robinson pinback theme here is another although its not quite as attractive or valuable as the previous two, it will serve to keep this thread on the first page;)

Brooksie theme
 

I LOVE the Brooksie theme... I know there weren't many Brooks pins so if anyone has any more variety please share.

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.

^^^^^ two things, Mike:

1) Richie Hebner was a goofy looking dude, huh?

2) Fantastic research!!! I dug out my 12 Giants and can add just a little bit. ALL my pins, with the exception of Kingman, have easel backs. Kingman has that same imprint shown in one of your pics...looks like a circle with an upwards pointing arrow through it. I'd love to know what that mark is about. Kingman was a Giant from 1971-74, so I really couldn't say when his pin was produced (to support or refute your 1971=no easel theory). ALL my easel backs are white, tan, blue or green as you stated, except for Goodson's which is YELLOW. None of the easels are stamped with a price, but Henderson has $1.25 written on it in what appears to be vintage marker. Also, I'm sure you are correct in "your" years of issue...I only chose 1972-73 because those years work for EVERY Giant.

One particular ebay seller has been trying to sell 7 of these Giants forever at $19.99 each. Other than those pins, though, I rarely see these offered. McCovey was a very recent addition (previously unknown) and Rader took me years to find. The one ebay seller has a Rader and, of course, no one wants it (now). I also just noticed (for the first time), Garry Maddox' first name is misspelled "Gary" on his pin.

As far as "Brown and Bigelow PM-10s", maybe you can add to my education.... What does "PM" stand for, anyway? and doesn't "10" (in theory) refer to the black and white player portraits as opposed to some other "PM" issues with different number designations? :confused:

Again...great research! This stuff is way more interesting than a bunch of 19th century cards. ;)

Another thing I just noticed.....other than PITCHERS Bradley, Bryant and Marichal, Maddox is the only guy not in a batting pose. It's as if, for the Giants, batting was the default pose. I wonder if that pose could be tied to a specific year(s).....:confused:

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

Nice detective work, Mike! ;)

Great research! All the Cubs I have played between the years 1971 and 1974. Banks last year with the Cubs was 1971. Some however, including Steve Stone, Vic Harris, Bill Madlock and Jerry Morales, didn't arrive with the Cubs until 1974. Apparently they made one of Ron Santo with the Cubs, and then in 1974 another one when he was with the White Sox.

But why? What's the P stand for? What's the M stand for? :p

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.

I found this in a post by David Hornish. It doesn't provide the definition of the PM acronym either.

http://www.oldbaseball.com/refs/typecards.html
http://www.oldbaseball.com/refs/typecards.txt

40s-60s PM 10 STADIUM PHOTO ISSUE-PIN
40s-60s PM 10 STADIUM PHOTO ISSUE-PIN COLORED BACKGROUND
40s-60s PM 10 STADIUM PHOTO ISSUE-PIN COLOR PHOTO
40s-60s PM 10 STADIUM PHOTO ISSUE-PIN BLACK BORDER
40s-60s PM 10 STADIUM PHOTO ISSUE-PIN GREEN BORDER
40s-60s PM 10 STADIUM PHOTO ISSUE-PIN RED BORDER
40s-60s PM 10 STADIUM PHOTO ISSUE-PIN WHITE BORDER
40s-60s PM 10 STADIUM PHOTO ISSUE-PIN WHITE BORDER-TEAM NAME ON TOP

and another thing I just noticed....some of my Giants pins say "San Francisco" and others say "San Fran."

Although these circa 1965-66 lenticular pins are not difficult to find I have always liked them. I have the Dodger and Angel versions in my collection already. The reason for my post is to share my recent pick up of the Astros pin. I thought others may be interested in seeing how these were originally packaged as this is the first time I have seen one attached to the display board.

I love those pins too, Mike. You don't see the Giants versions all that often, even though Burlingame is in the Bay Area. I love the manufacturer's name....Dimensional Research....as if guys in white lab coats were turning these out. I appreciate seeing the original packaging, especially the guy who appears to be wearing the pin in his local liquor store. :D

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:

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.

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

Yes..

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;)

Hi Mike,
The only reason I say that is because everyone of these that I have seen always seems to mention the team on the pin. I think if it was Houston Astros they would have put it in the pin. Just my thought.;)

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

Hi Mark,
I have that one also but I believe its made by Vari-Vue from Mt Vernon N.Y. not Dimensional Research from Cal.:D

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

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

What years would you think this one dates from?

Thanks Al.... That's the one!

You almost need two pictures of each of these, just to show off both views.

Rob:
As for the timing of the Tigers Pin... I would guess early '60s. The style of graphics look a bit earlier, but I don't think this technology was around anytime before the 60s. Al can probably provide a more precise answer, but that's my educated guess! :rolleyes:

Hi Mike yes thats the Vari-Vue cubs one but I do know there is a Dimensional Research Cubs pin out there also. Different graphics and in white edge.

Mark,
That is what I would have said also my friend early 60s..;);)

Shame on me....I didn't know Briggs and Tiger Stadium were one in the same (NL guy). When did they stop calling it "Briggs"?

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.
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

I purchased mine at Michaels. They have the foam backing already covered with felt.

Do they still sell those, Mike? The Michaels around here (and every other Seattle retailer) stopped carrying them. I've given up looking. The only shadowboxes they sell now have a big void (2" of air space) between the glass and the backing.

The ones where the foam filled the void between the back and the glass are now extinct. So I've had to go with less attractive Riker Cases (which I can find only on-line).

That's par for the course at Michaels! God, I hate that place.


I get mine at indianriverdisplay.com

On a related pin note, a 3.5" Willie Mays PM-10 just went for a criminally low price on ebay :(

pin display boxes
 

I just picked these two 16" X 20" cases up at Hobby Lobby. After their 1/2 price special I got them for a total of $38.00 tax included. I put my pins on the cotton front, but, if you want you can remove it and their is a cloth pin pad to put them on. I still have one more board for all my pm10 buttons that are not dodgers to buy and fill.

Looks great Shale!

When it comes to pins there are few bad answers. It's really more about function than form IMO.

Cheers,
Mike

Sweet! What is the pin in the bottom left corner underneath Duke Snider? -- can't tell because of glare.

Greg

Looks great and good deal! Sure wish we had Hobby lobby around here :mad:

mlb duke snider button

I thought I would share this photo I came across that coo berates your super size description. It appears that Vera Clemente owns one that may have come from the same photo shoot.

Hope you guys don't mind me posting a hockey pin...
This is a 1938 Quaker Oats Toronto Maple Leaf premium.

Thanks,

Brent

Here's one more...

1904 Owen Sound hockey stick pin.

Shale,

Thanks for the tip. I went to Hobby Lobby this morning and picked up a couple 16 x 20 boxes. This looks like a good project to do today.

Jim

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

Didn't know they made pinbacks for current teams. I went to the Topps site and they don't list the Nationals. Must be sold out. Bummer.

They only had pin sets for 11 teams and the Nat's were not one. I had seen that they did some retro pins earlier this year. For the 74 A's the 77 yanks the 86 Mets the 79 Pirates etc. But these were the only buttons of Current players I had ever seen offered by Topps. It would be nice if they caught on and maybe bought along a new generation of Pin/Button collectors the hobby can use all the new blood it can get.
J

[IMG]http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/...psf5f7a64d.jpg[/IMG]

Anyone have a current resource for valuation?

Bump, anyone?

Ebay prices anywhere from 600 to 800 retail

Sure. Just got this on on ebay for 40 bucks. 1" diameter. Not super thrilling but if it's Giants, I want it!

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

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

Joe Engel:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Engel

Thanks Seattle -- that's what the seller thought too. I haven't done any research yet to find out any more.

Greg

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

six freaking ninety five!

Nice job, Aaron! I've got to put Haddix on my want list now.
PLMK if you ever would like to sell it.

Love the Harvey Aaron. This thread needs more pin back photos (and more cowbell).

Greg

www.baseballbasement.com (plenty of inexpensive pinbacks for sale)

And more --

A few more --

Greg

forget the pins.....Nice Jello and Transogram boxes!
 

Which ones do you have.

Hey Howard -- I have five Jello boxes -- In addition to the Robinson, I have Ernie Banks, Milt Pappas, Clete Boyer and Willie Mays. I probably have 6-10 of the 3-card transogram boxes, and a complete or near complete set of the AL single boxes. I also have a nice in-store cardboard advertising sign.

Greg
www.baseballbasement.com

Back to pins -- I have shown some of these before, but not in this thread. No rhyme or reason here, just a bunch of pinbacks laid out together.

Greg
www.baseballbasement.com

NAPBL pins
 

Nice group of pins, Greg.

I kinda like the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues pins, worn by attendees at the NAPBL annual conventions. Here's a batch. Sorry for the crummy pic.

I know, right? I had convinced myself I was going to get an email from the seller stating they had "lost it", and had since sold it to someone who had happened to see the completed listing & offered substantially more. I am never that lucky; it was a great mail day when it finally arrived. :D

Thanks, Scott! I will. Given the subject, I nearly dropped you a line to see if you had ever come across an example. All of my usual sources (inc. DrM's book) hadn't turned up anything.

Thanks, Greg! Yes, this thread definitely needs more pics of your collection :)
I've always loved your website. One of these days, Im going to ante up and make an offer on several of your buttons.

Three more --

Greg

Pins
 

I've accumulated these over the past few years. Sorry for the lighting issues in my office...

Palmer
 

Many thanks to 71Buc Mike for allowing me to add this great early pinback of HOF Jim Palmer to my no-hit pitcher pin collection. :)

Mike is cool :D

What's the diameter on that thing?

I don't have it in hand yet, but I believe it's somewhere between 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" in diameter.

part of a set, do you think?

I think so, but I'll know more when I have it in hand.

I shipped it already so I don't have it on hand to measure. However, I think it is actually around 2" to 2 1/4" in diameter. It is in great condition. I am unsure if it is part of a set or not. I absolutely am pleased that I had something Scott could add to his collection as he has helped me out many times.

As Mike correctly stated the Palmer pinback is actually 2 1/4" in diameter. I received it today. No manufacturer info on the pinback to help ID it, but it definitely is vintage.

Many thanks Mike! :)

Because of the lack of bidding, I'm assuming no one "liked" this item...1.5" instead of 2.25" and not the usual sepia tone. What are the thoughts of the experts (Al and Paul)?

Well not everyone didnt like the item. I will let you know what I think when it comes...And yes it is 1 3/4 in size..;)
I usually dont comment on things that I buy but I wanted to see for my self what it was

Awesome. I was tempted....especially when the seller told me it had a straight pin back....he also told me it was just 1/16 to 1/8 over 1.5".

Seattleraniers..............I have the 1939 NAPBL pinback belonging to Pee Wee Reese.....I'll try to post a photo of it. I collect Reese and loved the 1939 Centennial tie-in, so I had to have it......

well the pin came today and and my curiosity is now satisfied Its one of those (Junk) I mean repro pins from an ebay seller pinzplus. Wrecking vintage pins by the way. The person who I got it from also wanted to know if it was real so we worked out that if it wasnt he would refund it. Now we know and the search can continue!:eek:

Aha! Someone else with one of those bottle openers. You don't happen to know anything about it, do you? I have one, and have no idea the age, etc.

Ah, damn! The seller is a good guy....he recently sent me the wrong pin but then sent the right one, no sweat.