Researching Springfield Basketball Banner

[CarltonHendricks]

Picked up this 1929 banner last night….would anyone have any reference to the Springfield amateur league it’s for?...I can’t find anything on the internet…would like to learn the teams in the league…and about the winner Arbor Athletic Association…the rosters especially.Thanks -Carlton

[deeg23]

Unfortunately I don't any information on the league, but I just wanted to say that's an absolutely stunning banner and I wish I had seen it! Great pickup!

[CarltonHendricks]

Hey thanks Derek...glad you like it...I haven't seen an antique sports banner like this for sale in a long time...Yale has quite a few silk banners in their trophy room...Some were quite tattered as can be seen in the photo below...also link to the whole story below the photo...The bottom photo is one that John Kanuit had for sale at the 2004 National...Wickwire Spencer was a steel company I think...


http://www.sportsantiques.com/pg12brimstory.htm#*Part 1


2004 National, booth of John Kanuit

BTW...would you have any basketball display pieces to post?....would like to see

[steve B]

Fantastic banner!

I don't know anything about the league or team.

The silk used for some stuff back into the 1800's had stuff added to stiffen it which isn't good long term. The ones at Yale have probably suffered from years of being displayed.

From a different hobby on the Smithsonian website.

http://www.si.edu/encyclopedia_si/nmah/vicquilt.htm

The part that applies.
"Many of the silk fabrics used in "crazy" quilts are weighted with mineral salts and other substances. This means the fabrics have been coated with, or have actually absorbed, these substances to give them more weight and a stiffer texture. Unfortunately, weighting substances also speed up the fabric's deterioration.

Silk is extremely susceptible to light damage, which can be seen in brittleness, splits, and the eventual powdering of the yarns. Sometimes, even though a piece of silk may appear in perfect condition, it can be extremely fragile. Unfortunately, we know of no way to stop this deterioration or reverse it. We can, however, slow it down by keeping the textile out of sunlight and bright household lighting -- especially fluorescent. If a quilt is to be displayed, it should be protected by keeping the room's draperies drawn, the light level low, and the lighting fixtures placed at a distance from the quilt."

Just swap "banner" "ribbon" etc for "quilt" and it works fine.


Steve B

[CarltonHendricks]

Originally Posted by steve B

Fantastic banner!

I don't know anything about the league or team.

The silk used for some stuff back into the 1800's had stuff added to stiffen it which isn't good long term. The ones at Yale have probably suffered from years of being displayed.

From a different hobby on the Smithsonian website.

http://www.si.edu/encyclopedia_si/nmah/vicquilt.htm

The part that applies.
"Many of the silk fabrics used in "crazy" quilts are weighted with mineral salts and other substances. This means the fabrics have been coated with, or have actually absorbed, these substances to give them more weight and a stiffer texture. Unfortunately, weighting substances also speed up the fabric's deterioration.

Silk is extremely susceptible to light damage, which can be seen in brittleness, splits, and the eventual powdering of the yarns. Sometimes, even though a piece of silk may appear in perfect condition, it can be extremely fragile. Unfortunately, we know of no way to stop this deterioration or reverse it. We can, however, slow it down by keeping the textile out of sunlight and bright household lighting -- especially fluorescent. If a quilt is to be displayed, it should be protected by keeping the room's draperies drawn, the light level low, and the lighting fixtures placed at a distance from the quilt."

Just swap "banner" "ribbon" etc for "quilt" and it works fine.


Steve B

Steve, Wow that's great stuff to know...thanks so much for posting that...very interesting!!

[deeg23]

Here's my lone, true vintage basketball display piece... Actually picked it up at the National (:

[CarltonHendricks]

Thanks for posting...always like to see display pieces...looks like it may be 3-dimensional...would like to see a wider and bigger photo....what's the details?...what vintage? is it an easel back? feel free to expound would like to know more about it.

Anybody else have basketball display pieces to post?

[Jewish-collector]

Carlton,
Nice piece !!! Pat Vesper (vintage basketball cards or such) on this forum might be able to help since he collects vintage basketball.