I dunno. I wasn't born 'til the 1980s :confused:

Nah, I think the sizing was all done in the darkroom when the pen + ink drawing of the original artwork was translated from paper to transparency. I'm a little confused as to how the old timers did this, but I think they took a photograph of the drawing; created a negative thereof; then developed the image into a positive on transparent paper that was whatever size they desired?

When I make a pennant, I usually draw my artwork on paper; scan it; then print the scan directly on to transparent paper specially designed for an ink jet printer. I'll then place that printed transparency atop my emulsion coated screen, expose it to UV light, then wash it out. If all goes right, I'm left with a stencil capable of reproducing the crisp details of my intended design.

Let me preface this post by saying that I know less about pennants than most (if not all) of you on this thread. To me, the history of the event or time period the pennant is tied to is more important than the pennant’s aesthetics, and I like finding photos that picture specific pennants I have in my collection. I believe I have 2 early 1957-58 LA Dodger pennants that were made up for special events and not sold publicly. I also have a third pennant that also dates to a 1958 event, but I am unsure if it was also sold to the public.

here is the first one, I will post the other 2 later.

A huge civic welcoming luncheon honors the Dodgers on Oct 28, 1957 at the Statler Hotel in Los Angeles. Pictures of the event are below, and show a huge room filled with tables and mostly men in suits, and pennants like the one pictured below appear to be the centerpieces on each table. There is also a picture of O’Malley with people waving the pennants around him.
Attachment 551154
Attachment 551155
Attachment 551156


The pennant measures approximately 12” x 18” and is screen printed. There is no spine, the pennant was stapled to a small stick instead. The city of LA organized the event and I imagine they wanted to keep costs down, which probably resulted in the smaller size and lack of a spine being sewn on. In addition, the luncheon was only a couple of weeks after Walter O’Malley announced the team would move there from Brooklyn, so time could have also been a factor in the simplicity of the construction. Given the number apparently produced for the event, it is somewhat surprising to me that this pennant doesn’t appear for sale very often. The only other one I have seen lately came from the Vin Scully collection.

Rick

This is awesome! Great shape, too. Maybe some people took them home but I’d guess more were left at the table and thrown away.

That makes sense Greg. People may have taken them home and given them to their kids if the pennant had more artistic merit (like depicting a batter swinging or pitcher throwing). It is pretty plain.

Rick

If only someone had thought to save the "Welcome LOS ANGELES DODGERS" banner; or the equally awesome "THE GREATEST CATCH IN BASEBALL" banner!

Great stuff, Rick!

Thanks Kyle. That "Greatest Catch" banner would be amazing if it still existed. I'm working on the next write-up.

Rick

Great memento, Rick!

Thanks Rob. Your “commemorating the first game” pennant is certainly more eye-catching.

Rick

Very cool pennant Rick

Out of curiosity, did you get it from someone who was at the event?

Yes, it is, but I don’t have “the real deal”….I have Kyle’s reproduction, which is the next best thing. I could have bought a beautiful original for $750, 20+ years ago. I wish I had.