The first pennants to be screen printed first hit the market around 1910-11. It was obviously seen among pennant makers as a superior way to make a pennant because you could do so much more in terms of artwork using this method, which permitted very detailed graphics. More importantly: it required significantly less sewing and therefore required less time and money to produce such items.

But, these advantages notwithstanding, sewed letter pennants never entirely vanished. In fact, Collegiate-Pacific continued making them through the 1970s; and Winning Streak still makes them today (kind of).

Some manufacturers had no choice but to continue making sewed letter pennants. That's because the first companies to successfully adapt screen printing for making novelty pennants guarded the process behind it with utmost secrecy. They didn't just do this to maintain a leg up on their competition; they needed time to apply for and secure patents, because they correctly foresaw the value in the process itself and its adaptability for other other applications, namely, advertising posters; and eventually, apparel.

I've identified about 4-5 pennant makers from the early 1910s that were among the first to make screen printed pennants. The one most of you may be familiar with is The Reproduction Co. of New York City. They made some of the most recognizable collegiate pennants from that era using this new production method.

I have seen numerous pennant catalogues and advertisements from makers well into the 1920s offering both "sewed letter" and new "art process" (screen printed) pennants for sale. So, unfortunately, just because a pennant is sewn letter doesn't automatically mean it was made pre-1910. I wish it were that simple....

Great insights, Kyle!

Greg, that Niagara Pennant is sweet. Very attractive and unquestionably of the era (teens). A nice pickup for $65. LMK if you ever want to sell/trade, and make a bit of profit.

Speaking of profit, it looks like Jonsstats makes out once again. Was this possibly a legit sale?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/orig-RARE-S...p2047675.l2557

The last time I had that Cardinals pennant, I think I got about $75 for it. And look at the ridiculous distance between bidders #2 and 3.

https://www.ebay.com/bfl/viewbids/20...p2047675.l2565

I bet the winning bidder would like to behead bidder #2 right about now (for costing him a cool $929 :eek:

I saw that one too and thought the same thing. I was going to post it, but didn’t want to put it in case someone really wanted it. The design is unlike any other I have seen. Really cool. That Niagra pennant is cool too

Hi guys,
Here's my 1950's Brooklyn Dodgers pennant that I just got back from my framer today! It's my one and only vintage pennant so I did it up right, custom framed with Museum Glass. If anyone knows the specific year of issue for this pennant that would be awesome!

Looks beautiful Jeff...

I’ve always loved that one and consider it to be the classic Brooklyn pennant. If you’re only going to have one, that’s an excellent choice. Not sure anyone can pin down a single year of issue, but pretty safe to say it’s early to mid 1950s... The Jackie Robinson era for sure.

Looks to be in great condition... a real beauty!

This is great and it makes sense. Perhaps it is more indicative of pennants with elaborate sewn graphics like the ones pictured here ... someone could have saved a lot of time and money with a screen, if they had access.

I guess the first “series” to use screen print are the “B.B.C.” pennants which definitely date to 1910-14, due to the Phillies “daisy” pennants. One was in Hunt Auctions a few days ago, just beautiful .. but $9K including BP. Yikes!

Thanks Mark, I might take you up on that in time, I don’t have room to hang it.

Jeff this is a cool pennant in great condition, love it with the frame.

Glad you posted it because this is from what I think is the largest “series” that we have yet to identify. I think it’s the same company that made all the “sliding runner” pennants along with the ones with script player filling up the body of the pennant, Phillies blue jays, etc. They tend to be a tick smaller, heavy felt, tight stitching, no tassels. Every now and then you see one of these with a split spine, as if a roll ended midway through seeing and they just started a new one on the same pennant. The roster pennants are 1948-50, though the Athletics have a 1945, Trench was already in their glory and these are radically different.

Thanks guys!

Hi Greg, you're correct on the size. The first thing I noticed was it's just slightly smaller than your average sized pennant, that's why I had to go the custom framing route! Won it in an ebay auction earlier in the summer, just happened to see it as the auction was in the final few minutes!