Nooooooooooooooooo! You don’t let bleach come within 100 yards of this beauty. The body of the pennant is in amazing shape with beautiful color. You don’t want to risk making that worse. If I’m you, that goes up in the wall as is, keep away from sunlight because it will fade, maybe even see if you can get UV protective sheets to put over the pennant holder. Incredibly nice pennant!

Amazing pickup Andy! Such an attractive and rare example...

Regarding the spine, I bet the spine would bleach very well, but given the value of the pennant, be sure to tape it off very carefully. You definitely don't want even a single drop of beach to touch that red felt. And I am not sure if bleach bleeding through to the reverse side is a further concern. Perhaps Rob has experience with this, and can chime in.

Another option is a spine "transplant". I have never done this, but know of a forum member here who has done it on occasion (with great results). It would involve using a "donor pennant" with a similar (if not identical) white spine. And a seamstress who can replicate the original stitching.

While I don't advocate for this, it would kill two birds with one stone... the soiled color and missing top portion. The lighter colored tack hole wouldn't bother me on its own at all... the missing top portion of the spine might. A transplant would definitely make the pennant look/display better, but you'd always know the pennant is not all-original.

For that reason, I am with Greg... leave it as-is.

Has anyone ever seen this pennant in full size? I’ve only seen it as a mini.

Giants...
 

Thanks for the feedback Mark and Greg! I was gonna play with it a little bit but am now going to let it be as it is.

This pennant has a very unique spine, it’s not felt and it’s not cloth. I don’t know how to explain it except to say it’s the same as on the 1955 and 1956 World Series pennants, the ones with the Brooklyn cap. Clearly the same (unknown) company, they also made pennants for the 1956 and 1958 NFL Championship games. It almost has a feel like canvas ... No question it would come up snow white... with very careful application (like with a dowel or plastic strip through the spine) it could maybe be improved. It’s just that near the threads, that’s where it gets shaky. The threads will likely get wet and they come in contact with the red. .... A spine transplant will look to a collector like a dog’s head on a cat, because the spine is so unique. Take comfort in knowing that, even with the issue in the upper corner, it is rare enough that it would be considered tolerable by many collectors. Good idea to just let it be. Thanks for sharing pic!

Nope, not me. By the looks of the spine and tassels it looks like it belongs to a series of late 30s mini pennants, most but not all have a player graphic. See pic, it looks like a match. Maybe not the exact same time period but looks like same maker. ... These minis in general were made in a larger size, but closer to 3/4, not full. At least I don’t think so.

That's a beauty and way too valuable and rare to mess with in my opinion. The discoloration of the spine doesn't even bother me. To me, this pennant falls into the category of those whose condition takes a back seat to rarity and overall, I think the condition of this one is great anyway. Great pick up!

Wow, what a pennant.

PLEASE don't try to "mess with it".

It's perfect as it is, and would be the high point of my collection if it were mine. Since we missed Christmas, you may be interested to know that my birthday is in April...

Doug "even without bleach, color me jealous" Goodman

ARRRRRRRRRGH!!!! One of my Holy Grails!!!! :mad:

I'd feel comfortable with a little light soap and water. It might help; it might not. If it were mine, I would probably opt for the "spine transplant."

Speaking of Holy Grails ... here’s mine. Hope to get it someday.

Coolest. Pennant. Ever.