Great article! I agree with Mark, your research is a real asset to the hobby.

Those are also some of the better knockoffs ... I like Mr. Red’s blonde mustache better!

Awesome article, Kyle! I also enjoyed the previous musings of the heavy hitters :p

Glad you all enjoyed that piece. Mr. Storm is a terrific guy and we should all be grateful that he took the time to share his insight with us.

Of course, the collector in me was a bit surprised (disappointed?) to hear how little he valued the products his company made--and especially the work that went into making them. I simply wasn't expecting that.

BUT, if you're a businessman, then your business is staying in business; and that means you have to be willing to look at your operation in a critical, objective, and emotionally discharged fashion. He also had 300 employees to think about. They depended upon him to make difficult business decisions that would keep the plant running, and their paychecks coming.

I really couldn't fault the guy for putting the business ahead of all other concerns. Had he continued making pennants the old fashion way, Trench would have likely folded by the 1980s, as plenty of other pennant makers had.

Anyway, I appreciate the positive feedback. I'm happy I could share his story with you all.

Good points Kyle...

I wonder what Mr. Storm thinks of Mitchell & Ness knocking off so many of his classic pennants. Perhaps he's not even aware of it, since he's not a collector... But it certainly is a testament to his company's legacy and their contribution to the hobby.

Wow. That article explains so much. Thank you.

All right... we need a confession here.

Who got the seller of the oversized teens Pirates pennant to end his auction and sell it outright? That was the best pennant to hit eBay in a loooong time. :mad:

Uh oh .... (disclaimer: eBay permits this now.)

He told me he doesn't end auctions early.

Translation: I didn't offer $1250.

LOL

Has anyone seen this one? Attachment 420922