1940s Homestead Grays Pennant?

[jerseygary]

In the original you can see how the typography of the "HOMESTEAD" is hand-drawn to get smaller as it narrows into the tail of the pennant. Before computers this was drawn by hand and as such it looks much more natural. In the bad copy look at how the "HOMESTEAD" is un-naturally pushed and jammed into a narrower area. It lacks the tastefulness of the original and this is because the type was manipulated in a computer program which lacks the soul that a typographer gives it by his own hand. This is especially apparent in the "S". Another give away is the typeface used which is more of a modern style, something a pennant company artist probably would not have used back in the 1940's. A graphic artist back then would have used various "sign painter" typefaces instead of a "print" typeface which is what the bad copy uses. Other give-away is the illustration, on the copy it is a little cruder and thicker than the original as can be seen in the 2 shadow lines below the batter and catcher.

I have seen more accurate copies of these pennants as well which is probably just a direct copy of the original art. Seem to remember these being around in the mid-1990's.

I have been trying to date them since I first saw them in the 1980's, best I can come is 1943-45 due to the inclusion of the Cincinnati Clowns pennant of the same style. The Clowns played out of Cincinnati during the 1943-45 seasons, the last 2 they were known also as the Indianapolis Clowns.

[Hankphenom]

I'm certainly no expert in the details of pennant manufacturing, and if I'd had to choose between them I would have gotten it dead wrong. The original looks to my eyes considerably "cheesier" than the copy, which just presents nicer in appearance. Any clue as to who made the copy? Was it Mitchell and Ness? Whoever it was did a nice job, again only as my eyes judge them side by side.

[perezfan]

If you could see both pennants up-close and touch/feel them, you would see the difference immediately. The aged vintage felt is different in make-up and texture, as compared to more modern felt.

The tassels are also different... usually the newer repros have tassels that are too thick/too big, in proportion to the body of the pennant.

Another key to look for is cracking/puckering of the painted graphics, which is a natural occurrence, and happens about 90% of the time.

I don't think Mitchell & Ness did the repros of these Negro League Pennants. Most of the M & N reproductions feature a crushed velvet type of graphics, as opposed to application of actual paint.

[Hankphenom]

Any clue as to who made (is making?) the repros, or at least when they started coming onto the market and how common they are? Any other old pennants that have been repro'd to your knowledge other than M & Ns? Just trying to get a handle on the extent of it, and wondering if it was done in the case of the negro league pennants to deceive buyers or to honor the originals?

[Duluth Eskimo]

There have been pennant reproductions for years and some that were done in the 80's are being passed off as originals nowadays. Even the big auction house have been known to pass these along. A very good repro is hard to find as Perezfan stated and it usually quite obvious when you feel the fabric, etc. The biggest issue with vintage pennants today is trimming to deceive. Narrowing of the pennant to make a sharp tip. In regards to the Negro League pennants I don't think you would be fooled if you had it in hand. Take care, Jason

[perezfan]

This should demonstrate the difference between old vs. new felt... The new felt is simply flat, and lacks depth and soul (for lack of a better word). Note the textural differences in the two Philadelphia Stars Pennants (below...)

With regard to graphics, the newer '80s Reproduction can't replicate the fine lines and detail, featured in the original.

Also posted below is a Baltimore Elite Giants '80s Repro. This one really shouldn't fool anyone here.

I don't know the maker of these 1980s repros, but apparently Adelson Sports does. Here's a quote from their ebay listing...

"This is a great reproduction - soft felt and same design as the original one that was made in the 1930's. I know this because the company that reproduced these negro league pennants purchased the orginal pennants from our company."

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BALTIMORE-EL...b#ht_612wt_940

Today, the originals are actually more prevalent than the reproductions. Again... anyone who sees both types in person (other than a complete novice) should not be fooled by these repros.

[perezfan]

More on reproduction pennants...

Pictured below are two that are very commonly passed off as originals (and sometimes sell for "original type" money). See the 1980s Brooklyn and NY Giants Pennants below... maker unknown.

Also pictured are 3 modern repros from Mitchell & Ness. These shouldn't fool anyone, and were not made with purposes to deceive. They are just for decoration, and sold at retail for a fraction of the price of the originals.

Still (as Duluth Eskimo pointed out) a few have crept into the Catalogs of Major Auction Houses... Legendary, Huggins, etc.