Hey, pennant guys

[bocca001]

Just picked up this funky 1970s(?) version of an Astros Astrodome pennant. This version, with the "thick" Houston is somewhat less common than many other versions.

Note the "VET" mark/stamp at the bottom. Figured I'd share to see what Kyle might know about it.

[thetahat]

Vet(erans) Stadium! I know this because as a youngster in the late 70s I bought a few of these at the ballpark (or my Dad did for me). There’s a Mets Mr. Met pennant with the same stamp, I’ll see if I can find a pic.

[thetahat]

Here ya go

[bocca001]

Originally Posted by thetahat

Here ya go

Thanks, Greg! I had wondered about the Vet in Philadelphia. I looked around at some Phillies pennants but didn't see anything stampted (admittedly, I looked for all of about 4 minutes). I wonder if they stamped Phillies pennants too? Or if any other stadiums did this? Interesting to know that I own an Astros pennant from a Phillies game.

[Domer05]

Originally Posted by bocca001

Just picked up this funky 1970s(?) version of an Astros Astrodome pennant. This version, with the "thick" Houston is somewhat less common than many other versions.

Note the "VET" mark/stamp at the bottom. Figured I'd share to see what Kyle might know about it.

I wish I knew more about this "VET" mark. I've seen it on 1970s-era pennants--typically on white pennants. Sure looks like a maker's mark ... or, a concessionaire's mark.

I guess it could refer to Veteran's Stadium. But, why would it?? The Phillies certainly didn't manufacture their own pennants. And the presence of the league logo indicates that these were officially licensed by MLB. By the 1970s, only Trench, ASCO, and a company out of Brooklyn called APSCO enjoyed such rights.

A concessionaire's mark seems more likely; but, at the time, the biggest concessionaire was Aramark, conveniently headquartered in--you guessed it--Philadelphia. And their concessionaire's mark looked nothing like this. (It's a circle with "ARA" inside it.) I can't imagine anyone else running concessions at Veteran's Stadium than Aramark. Nor can I think of any other concessionaire that started with a "V."

Also, if "VET" signified some connection to the stadium you'd expect the majority of these pennants to be Phillies (or Eagles) pennants. I can't say I've ever seen one.

And if we're thinking the Phillies sold these non-Phillies pennants whenever these visiting teams came to town, how do we explain why a Texas Rangers pennant was ever sold at Veteran's Stadium?

I'm stumped. If I had to guess, I'd guess Trench made these for some retailer none of us are thinking of, like a now defunct sporting goods store/chain starting with a "V."

[thetahat]

That argument seems more likely, although I do know that the Vet sold pennants of all teams ... I got a few AL teams there ...

[bocca001]

I spent some time this AM looking for these VET pennants, for both the Astros and Giants (teams I collect). I found another version of the Astros pennant with the VET stamp, but none without the stamp. I also found a Giants pennant with the VET stamp, but none of the same version without it.

Both of these pennants are similar to common designs from the era, but each seems somewhat different. A bit more colorful. I wonder if anyone has the exact same pennants without the VET stamp? If these versions only exist with the VET stamp, it would suggest that they may be exclusive (to some seller) or maybe simply short-lived variants.

[Domer05]

Originally Posted by bocca001

I wonder if anyone has the exact same pennants without the VET stamp? If these versions only exist with the VET stamp, it would suggest that they may be exclusive (to some seller) or maybe simply short-lived variants.

Bingo! These two blue variants look otherwise identical, but-for the "VET" mark.

[bocca001]

Originally Posted by Domer05

Bingo! These two blue variants look otherwise identical, but-for the "VET" mark.

Yep. Look to be the same, other than maybe the felt being an ever so slightly different color (could just be lighting for the pic). The blue on that Dodgers VET pennant looks just like the blue on my Astros VET pennant.

Still interesting that perhaps many or even most of a specific design would have the VET mark.

And now, just because it is something different, I'll kill some time over the next few months looking for the orange on front and white on back Giants pennant. Should be easier and more affordable than trying to win something from REA.

[ooo-ribay]

Speaking of REA, I obviously wanted the 3D Giants pennant but just couldn’t justify $1600. With that said, I’m surprised it didn’t go for more.

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by Domer05

I wish I knew more about this "VET" mark. I've seen it on 1970s-era pennants--typically on white pennants. Sure looks like a maker's mark ... or, a concessionaire's mark.

I guess it could refer to Veteran's Stadium. But, why would it?? The Phillies certainly didn't manufacture their own pennants. And the presence of the league logo indicates that these were officially licensed by MLB. By the 1970s, only Trench, ASCO, and a company out of Brooklyn called APSCO enjoyed such rights.

A concessionaire's mark seems more likely; but, at the time, the biggest concessionaire was Aramark, conveniently headquartered in--you guessed it--Philadelphia. And their concessionaire's mark looked nothing like this. (It's a circle with "ARA" inside it.) I can't imagine anyone else running concessions at Veteran's Stadium than Aramark. Nor can I think of any other concessionaire that started with a "V."

Also, if "VET" signified some connection to the stadium you'd expect the majority of these pennants to be Phillies (or Eagles) pennants. I can't say I've ever seen one.

And if we're thinking the Phillies sold these non-Phillies pennants whenever these visiting teams came to town, how do we explain why a Texas Rangers pennant was ever sold at Veteran's Stadium?

I'm stumped. If I had to guess, I'd guess Trench made these for some retailer none of us are thinking of, like a now defunct sporting goods store/chain starting with a "V."

I had many of Kyle's same thoughts when the Veteran's Stadium theory was posted. I could definitely "see" that explanation if the "VET" was stamped on, like with an ink stamp. If that was the case, I could see someone at the stadium stamping the pennants. But it appears to be screened on with the rest of the graphics. In this case, I can't really see the manufacturer setting up a separate silk screen just for Veterans Stadium. Then again, like Mark, I don't have this particular pennant without the stamp. Mine has four, indecipherable numbers after the "Made in U,S.A."

Here's a couple more similar 1970's pennants with different marks. I think the one is Trench; no idea on the "M" (complete with dog hair).

[ooo-ribay]

More food for thought...

I thought I had found the same pennant without the VET mark, but they are not the same. The baseball stitching is fatter on the VET. Another strange thing is that the orange VET pennant is not printed on orange "felt." The orange must be screened on as well.

[bocca001]

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

More food for thought...

I thought I had found the same pennant without the VET mark, but they are not the same. The baseball stitching is fatter on the VET. Another strange thing is that the orange VET pennant is not printed on orange "felt." The orange must be screened on as well.

Although not identical, those two Giants pennants are pretty close (at least on the front). Not sure what to say about the orange front and white back. Weird. My Astros pennant is blue felt (very stiff) front and back.

The Phillies pennant above is also a pretty common design for them (from what I can tell). Wonder if it might be slightly different from others that more or less look the same (with no VET).