I’ve heard there are at least three different sizes. I don’t have them personally, but that’s my understanding. There’s definitely a smaller one that’s about 6.5” and is the wider type.

I think there are four sizes and my understanding is that these originated as gifts from owner Jerry Hoffberger to friends/associates circa 1965.....

Brooks Robinson 1970 American Airlines Mugs
 

Day 56 – 26 February 2024
Today, I am showing you one of my favorite items featuring Brooks Robinson. The gold ring around it looks very nice. The mug measures about 4.75 inches. This is the American Airlines Salutes mug celebrating Brooks’ 1970 World Series Championship / MVP. It also mentions Brooks as an American League All Star and 3rd Baseman. It appears the mug was made by Louis Brothers Ceramics and made in KY.

Baltimore Orioles Dishes or Ash Trays
 

Day 57 – 27 February 2024
Today, I am showing two small dishes or ash trays from the mid-1960s. They both measure 5 inches. The one on the left simply says Baltimore Orioles while the one on the right mentions the 1966 “Champions.” The bird on this piece is the Decker Bird, created by Hal Decker in 1964. I really enjoy this bird from the mid-1960s.

Orioles Brooks Robinson Mug and Plates 1969 and 1970 WS and 1969 AS Game
 

Day 58 – 28 February 2024
Today I am showing a mug celebrating the 1970 World Series (Orioles vs. Cincinnati). It seems to be sponsored by Chrysler Corporation (Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge Trucks). It measures about 5 inches. The two smaller dishes are also from Chrysler Corporation. The one on the left celebrates the 1969 World Series (Baltimore vs. New York Mets) and mentions Plymouth, Dodge, Imperial, Dodge Trucks, Simca, and Sunbeam. The plate on the right celebrates the 1969 All Star Game at RFK, which Brooks appeared in at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. It mentions the same Chrysler products as the other plate. Both plates measure 4 inches.

Was able to add Gunnar Henderson on this Orioles Rookie of the Year signed/inscribed ball via a recent private signing (I don't believe many of these exist):

https://i.imgur.com/gVmYEew.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/hJ8A6Ho.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/rxoaoV5.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/yCPTdyy.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/MKxLDfm.jpg

Orioles
 

Some cool looking items being posted; thanks for sharing your collection with others.

Do you think with the Orioles success last year and the upcoming talent and potential that we'll pick up more fans as well as possibly collectors? I know I've slowed to about a halt on the collecting front, but there is hope that these young people will take over for the old folks.

If you're at spring training remember to post some pictures. Here's a photo of the past spring training location.

I’ve heard the same thing about Hoffberger giving the steins out to friends/employees. I didn’t hear about the year it was, but they are definitely early.

Day 59 – 29 February 2024
Today, I am showing some of my Oriole Advocate dishware. The small glasses are from a celebration in 1985 (25th Anniversary 1960 – 1985). They are made of glass and measure 3.5 inches. The mug is from the 1980s and has the Decker bird from the 1960s. On the back it says Hall of Fame Luncheon. The larger dish in the front with gold trim saying “The Oriole Advocates 1971” with the bird in the middle is rare and pretty expensive if you can find it. This dish makes an amazing display.

Oriole Advocates Photo
 

Failed to add photo to previous post

Day 59 – 29 February 2024
Today, I am showing some of my Oriole Advocate dishware. The small glasses are from a celebration in 1985 (25th Anniversary 1960 – 1985). They are made of glass and measure 3.5 inches. The mug is from the 1980s and has the Decker bird from the 1960s. On the back it says Hall of Fame Luncheon. The larger dish in the front with gold trim saying “The Oriole Advocates 1971” with the bird in the middle is rare and pretty expensive if you can find it. This dish makes an amazing display.

Oriole Rookie of the Year Balls and Collectors
 

Roar From 34, Really like the ROY signed balls. Great idea. Never thought of that. We have been blessed with the great Rookies. Especially like the Gunnar.

Mark70Z, The “new collectors” is a great concern for me. Those of us collecting will some day need a person to pass the stuff onto and would hate to think their will be no one interested in these historical artifacts or treasures. I personally can’t stop adding to my museum and hope our recent success will find men and women in their teens and twenties catching the vintage fever. Until then, Mark, rest assured, I will come to your yard sale any day. Amazing photo!

It may be difficult to tell by the pictures but those ROY signatures are all on one baseball (just wanted to clarify that)

ROY Ball
 

Very cool on one ball. Did not realize. Probably one of a kind given the older two guys.

Brooks Robinson Rawlings Photo
 

Day 60 – 1 March 2024
Thought to share some of my favorite Brooks Robinson photos next. I will initially focus on Rawlings Staff Advisory photos and some other odd ball ones. The first photo is a Rawlings Sporting Goods Company 1965 Amadee MVP Premiums. Ken Boyer is also featured on the same type of photo celebrating Books and Ken’s 1964 MVP season. This photo is 10 1/8 x 8.5 inches. It is printed on a thicker card stock. The photos were available at sporting goods stores when purchasing the Brooks or Boyer baseball glove. I was surprised when PSA graded this photo. The one shown is the highest graded. Look forward to showing more photos over the next week or so.

Day 61 – 2 March 2024 error

Brooks Robinson Rawlings Staff Advisory Photos
 

Day 61 – 2 March 2024
Today I am showing two 1950-1970 Rawlings Staff Advisory Photos; I am not aware of the exact year. The photos are the same but the advisory block is found on different locations (bottom left and bottom right). The photo on the right is a little lighter. This photo is not hard to find but is rarely in great shape. I tried to add the lighter of the two to the PSA registry but they would not add. I met a guy (Tony Inzerillo) on line that created a very nice web site with most of the different staff advisory photos (Rawlings, Wilson, MacGregor, Spalding and Adirondack). On the Rawlings Staff Advisory photos, besides Brooks, other Orioles are included in the run (i.e., Belanger, McNally, Powell). It is a great resource. The address is tonyinzerillo.com. I have added at least 3 to his web site that he was not tracking.

Leave it to PSA not to add the variation! Block on left… Block on right. Definitely a difference.

I'm afraid I don't have the Brooks Robinson autograph, but I do have the Mark Belanger autograph so you can see what the display looked like.

Belanger Ball Display
 

Thanks for sharing. Belanger is a tough auto. I have a regular ball signed by him but not from the mail in. Very nice.

That is a great looking “Blade” signed ball.

Day 62 - 3 March 2024
Today I am showing another set of Staff Advisory Photos (bottom two) and the 1964-66 Rawlings Premium Photos (top two). The staff advisory black and white photo is the only one I have ever seen. I sent this to PSA for grading and was able to add it to the PSA Brooks Robinson Master Set. It is the same photo as the 1964-66 Rawlings Premium Photo shown above it but in color. The 1964-66 Rawlings Premium Photos color photos are part of a 12 player set of photos Rawlings published in 1964-66. My Brooks copies are the highest graded. The Rawlings Premium set includes the two Brooks photos and Ken Boyer (2 different photos / with Mets and Cardinals), Mickey Mantle (2 different photos with and without a black t-shirt), Tommy Davis, Dick Groat, Warren Spahn, Tom Thresh, Bill White, and Billy Williams. Many of the photos are part of the Big 8 Glove Rawlings Box or Hand Cut Cards, which I will show on another day. The Mantle Photos are harder to find and pretty expensive.

Baltimore Orioles Brooks Robinson Staff Svosory Photo
 

Day 63 - 4 March 2024
Today I am showing another Brooks Robinson Staff Advisory Photo. The Staff Advisory Photo is with Brooks Robinson throwing. This staff advisory is pretty rare. I added this one to the PSA Master Set a few years ago thinking it might be a a 1 of 1. This one is the highest graded. I have a second copy ungraded. Considered having it graded but it has a mark on the back.

The B&W Rawlings Premium photo is the only one I've seen as well; so that makes two Rawlings premiums that you have that I've only seen ONE example. It's strange that there has to be more out there, but it seems like some of these photos are in very limited quantity while others are fairly common.

I have an Rawlings throwing example as well, but it must have been used for multiple purposes since it has all types of writing on the back. The example you posted looks to be in NICE condition. Wonder why they chose to do a wider border on this example.

Rawlings
 

Since Charlie is posting about Rawlings premiums figured I'd post one of the advertising posters. This example looks to be factory folded; unsure how this was used. Hopefully Charlie wasn't going to post this example in the near future...

Another Rawlings

1969 rawlings
Sorry picture not loading.

Mark Post of Brooksie
 

No problem, Mark on the poster. I have that one but glad you posted and we’ll see if any feedback. I really enjoy all things Rawlings!

Thanks!

Brooks Robinson Rawlings Staff Advisory
 

Day 64 – 5 March 2024
Today I am showing another Brooks Robinson Staff Advisory Photo. This one shows Brooks standing with a glove to his chest. Unfortunately, this photo is personalized. Does anyone know Carl? I had this one dual graded and was fortunate to have it added to the Brooks Robinson PSA Master Set. I have never seen another copy of this photo. I believe this is one of a kind.

Rawlings
 

I really like everything Rawlings as well. When I was young playing ball I wouldn’t use any other glove (I’m sure Brooks” endorsement was the contributing factor). I picked up this wooden Rawlings sign probably 25 years ago or so and always debated to get Brooks to sign it, but I ultimately decided against.

That’s a nice piece Mark !

Nice, Mark!

Brooks Robinson Rawlings Staff Advisory
 

Day 65 – 6 March 2024
Today I am showing my last Brooks Robinson Staff Advisory Photo. This photo is fairly common. It shows Brooks in the dug-out tying his shoes. This copy is very nice and highest graded.

1964-66 Rawlings Big Eight
 

Day 66 – 7 March 2024
One of my favorite Rawlings related items is the Big 8 Glove Box from 1964-1966. The box includes 8 different players on 2 separate panels. The box is very rare and an item I have tried multiple times to acquire. Not sure how many remain but I am always searching. I am showing you the panel with Brooks, which is the highest graded. The single card of Brooks is in decent shape but a lower grade. These are very hard to find. I have all 8 different hand cut cards graded and registered with PSA. The Mantle and Brooks are the hardest to find. The Mantle is very expensive. I have a PSA 3…recently someone offered me $3,000 for it and I declined. If anyone has the complete box, please share.

Even when I first started collecting I wanted the Big 8 glove box, but never was able to acquire. Oddly I’ve never picked up the strip or the single either. Brooks is especially difficult to find a nice example since its location on the glove box.

Brooks Robinson Koolon Cooling Head Band
 

Day 67 – 8 March 2024
Today I am showing an 8 x 10 inch photo of Brooks Robinson advertising the Koolon cooling head band. This photo is either 1966 or 1967 based on the reference to the 1966 World Series. I tried to get this added to the PSA Registry with Brooks Robinson but was declined. I recently found a second copy of this photo but it has a slight tare on the side. This photo is very rare and expensive. I would love to find the Koolon cooling head band in its original packing.

Big 8 Box
 

Mark, we have similar tastes. I have a few of the single cards. Someday I will find this box and will gladly invite you over to enjoy a look. Ha. If you find it first, please do the same. This and the Clem/ Brooks box are at the top of my list.

Update - Recently added Series 2 to my 1968 Creative Creations Set
 

Recently added the missing Series 2 to my Creative Creations Set.

Series 2 features Oriole Great Dave McNally!

I’ve seen at least two of the Brooks/Clemente glove boxes over the years, but was never able to acquire one. At least they are out there to be had. I’ve only seen ONE Big 8 glove box in the past so likely even harder to locate; possibly the only one?

LOVE the Koolon premium photo; looks great.

Hopefully you'll be able to locate a cooling headband in its original packaging one day... Unsure, but here's what it "may" look like.

CONGRATS! Those will make for an AWESOME display.

Great stuff Charles, love the Rawlings, marbles and Koolan!

Brooks Robinson Many Baseball Land Photo
 

Day 68 – 9 March 2024
Another photo I really enjoy is the 1961 Manny Baseball Land Brooks Robinson photo. The photo measures 8 x 10 inches. This photo is part of a 10 player pack that you would find at the Stadium. I have the set and the original packaging. This photo of Brooks is tied as highest graded. The set is hard to find but the Brooks copy is pretty easy to find. I have several in my collection, both signed and unsigned.

Koolon Headband
 

Mark, nice headband. Did not know you had one. Not sure I ever seen one. Thanks for sharing.

Koolon
 

I believe I posted the Koolon package on one of the “Days” in 2020. It’s cool to see some of these items survive in the original packaging.

Your Manny’s visually looks far better than the grade. PSA seems to be tough on the larger issues.

If you have an opportunity I’d like to see the original packaging for the Manny’s set; don’t think I’ve ever seen how they were originally packaged.

Charlie,

I have this original photo that references Koolon on the back and lists the year as 1966. Based upon the background, it looks like a photo from the same shoot, that didn't make the cut for the final advertisement.

Attachment 613419 Attachment 613420

With the bunting shown in the background, I always thought perhaps these pictures were taken prior to one of the WS games....

Back in the 1990's there was a great newsletter I subscribed to by the name of Diamond Duds...I remember first seeing the Brooks Koolon photo in one of the issues, so I dug out out my back issues & found it.....

1961 Manny Baseball Land Oriole Package
 

Here is the packaging, Mark.

With Spring Training in full swing I thought I'd post these Orioles locker nameplates from Spring Training 1999 in Fort Lauderdale (I was able to obtain these from one of clubhouse staff at the conclusion):

https://i.imgur.com/4VyYRfH.jpg