Any One Collect Pins?

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by thansen30

For the record, the Vida Blue pinback is from 1971, sold outside the stadium. These pins were unlicensed by MLB or MLBPA, and there are no manufacturer's marking whatsoever on the pins. I collect them, but they're tough to find!
I found a reference to a set of 10 Brewers pins from this set today, posted by Mears.

Great information to know! I wonder if they were the work of ONE photographer or of a "team"?

[Scott Garner]

Many thanks to Rob.

Vida Blue is now off of my no-hit pitcher pinback want list!

[jsage]

Pin Collection - focused on a few players and events.
Jerry Sage
jssage24@yahoo.com

[aelefson]

Hi-
I just got the pins scanned below at a local antique shop. I am still trying to sort out which ones I want to keep.
Alan

[71buc]

After viewing all of the pins in this thread I thought I would pick up a few for myself. However, I have decided to start very small and narrow my focus to players I liked in my childhood. I will be limiting my pickups to pins in this set as I think it is attractive and VERY CHEAP. However, I know nothing about these items. I picked up the pin below very recently and thought I should attempt to educate myself before I go further. Sorry to revive an old thread.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

• Is there a name or designation for this set?
• How were they marketed?
• How many players from each team were produced?
• Are there any known scarcities or variations?
• The text on the Joe Morgan is different than the others is there a reason for that?
• What years were they produced?
• Are they all easel backed?

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by 71buc

After viewing all of the pins in this thread I thought I would pick up a few for myself. However, I have decided to start very small and narrow my focus to players I liked in my childhood. I will be limiting my pickups to pins in this set as I think it is attractive and VERY CHEAP. However, I know nothing about these items. I picked up the pin below very recently and thought I should attempt to educate myself before I go further. Sorry to revive an old thread.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

• Is there a name or designation for this set?
• How were they marketed?
• How many players from each team were produced?
• Are there any known scarcities or variations?
• The text on the Joe Morgan is different than the others is there a reason for that?
• What years were they produced?
• Are they all easel backed?

"sorry to revive an old thread"? I love that you revived it! I can't hang with those 5 figure card guys!

re: your questions...

• I call them the "black square series" due to the text box.
• unknown.
• The Giants had 12 players but we hadn't seen McCovey until just recently.
• unknown.
• unknown.
• Based on the Giants in the set, I've always thought 1972-73.
• Mine are all easel backed.

I'm not sure I knew other teams were in this series....I tend to live in my own little Giants world ...I've always liked these too and would love to see more! Sorry for my crappy picture. The Tom Bradley (lower right) isn't due to me....he is ALWAYS in heavy shadow.

[71buc]

Thanks for the information, its the simple pleasures in life that are sometimes the most fun. Sanguillen arrived in the mail today. I agree based on Clemente that 72-73 would be the likely production dates. The other Pirates I'm aware of are Al Oliver, Bob Robertson, Gene Clines, and Rene Stennet. I have to believe Dock Ellis and Steve Blass were made as well. If so that would make 10 Bucs.

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

"sorry to revive an old thread"? I love that you revived it! I can't hang with those 5 figure card guys!

re: your questions...

• I call them the "black square series" due to the text box.
• unknown.
• The Giants had 12 players but we hadn't seen McCovey until just recently.
• unknown.
• unknown.
• Based on the Giants in the set, I've always thought 1972-73.
• Mine are all easel backed.

I'm not sure I knew other teams were in this series....I tend to live in my own little Giants world ...I've always liked these too and would love to see more! Sorry for my crappy picture. The Tom Bradley (lower right) isn't due to me....he is ALWAYS in heavy shadow.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

"sorry to revive an old thread"? I love that you revived it! I can't hang with those 5 figure card guys!

re: your questions...

• I call them the "black square series" due to the text box.
• unknown.
• The Giants had 12 players but we hadn't seen McCovey until just recently.
• unknown.
• unknown.
• Based on the Giants in the set, I've always thought 1972-73.
• Mine are all easel backed.

I'm not sure I knew other teams were in this series....I tend to live in my own little Giants world ...I've always liked these too and would love to see more! Sorry for my crappy picture. The Tom Bradley (lower right) isn't due to me....he is ALWAYS in heavy shadow.

Rob, Mike and Mark,
Here is my contribution to this interesting topic:
For many years I have owned this "black square" pinback of Nolan Ryan in my collection. This is a very challenging pin to find as I have not seen/ heard of many in the hobby, even amongst fellow Nolan Ryan advanced collectors.

I always guessed its vintage to be around 1974, but I can certainly believe that it could be 1973 based on the road grey uniform style that Nolan is wearing. It cannot be from 1972 because of the "A" on Nolan's Angels jersey being a capital "A" and not the lower case "a" which were used in 1972.

My Ryan pinback does not have an easel on the back, or at least mine did not have one when I purchased it second hand in the 1980's.

Finally, this pinback was definitely photographed somewhere other than So Cal. Nolan is wearing a road grey uniform and features the shaded face ala Rob's Tom Bradley SF pinback. I don't recognize the stadium in the background. Does anyone recognize where this photo may have been shot?

One of my close friends and I, which both attended many Angels games during the early to mid 1970's in Anaheim, do not recognize this pinback as one that was sold at Anaheim Stadium, so these likely were not a stadium pin.
Thanks!

[Bobmc]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

Many thanks to Rob.

Vida Blue is now off of my no-hit pitcher pinback want list!

Scott,
Didn't see this one on your nohitter list...you must have it.
Do you know what year and/or category it is?
Thanks
Bob

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Bobmc

Scott,
Didn't see this one on your nohitter list...you must have it.
Do you know what year and/or category it is?
Thanks
Bob

Hi Bob,
I do have two different Joe Horlen pinback buttons from his stint with the White Sox, but I have not see this one which is completely new to me.
I'm sorry that I don't have any info to help....

[Bobmc]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

Hi Bob,
I do have two different Joe Horlen pinback buttons from his stint with the White Sox, but I have not see this one which is completely new to me.
I'm sorry that I don't have any info to help....

Hi Scott,

Thank you. Any chance you could post the 2 Horlen images. I'm guessing one is the small mlbpa pin.... Thank you much.
Bob

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Bobmc

Hi Scott,

Thank you. Any chance you could post the 2 Horlen images. I'm guessing one is the small mlbpa pin.... Thank you much.
Bob

Hi Bob,
You are correct. The second Joel Horlen pinback has the same image, but is larger and is marked Kelly's Zip.

I hope this helps.

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

Great information to know! I wonder if they were the work of ONE photographer or of a "team"?

I own a Clemente from the same "issue". The work was done by a single photographer. I had researched it some time ago and cannot recall his name right now. He was a team photographer for a professional sports team. He did a number of portraits of Major Leaguers. I own/have owned both pins and proof photos of Clemente, Mays, Rose, G. Perry and a number of Red Sox players. I spoke with the photographers nephew a few years back. He still has the negatives, but was a bit skeptical about speaking with me about them - perhaps because whatever was "released" had no license. I have had my eye out for these pins for over 20 years - they are EXTREMELY scarce. The brewers group pictured is the first time I recall seeing any Brewers. The style of the photograph is the giveaway - They are always - players in uniform set against a solid color background - VERY high quality posing and image quality. The pins I have seen are also different sizes. I have seen at least 1 "super size" image of Clemente.

While we are at it. I am attaching an image of a Clemente pin I have not seen before. It appears to be an early stadium pin. Anyone know anything about it?

[hcv123]

I also highly question whether they were actually sold or distributed at ball parks as given their quality and attractiveness I think they would be in MUCH greater supply today. Also how could they have been sold there without a license. I believe it was a pet project for the photographer who did produce VERY small numbers of prints and pins - possibly for friends and those close to him - perhaps started a project intended to get a license and never did. Based on the lack of availability and awareness among advanced collectors I strongly believe these did not have any type of mass distribution. If you have any you would consider selling - please contact me.

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by hcv123

I also highly question whether they were actually sold or distributed at ball parks as given their quality and attractiveness I think they would be in MUCH greater supply today. Also how could they have been sold there without a license. I believe it was a pet project for the photographer who did produce VERY small numbers of prints and pins - possibly for friends and those close to him - perhaps started a project intended to get a license and never did. Based on the lack of availability and awareness among advanced collectors I strongly believe these did not have any type of mass distribution. If you have any you would consider selling - please contact me.

great info in your two posts!! You would think there would be someone on N54 who remembers buying them, when new, 40+ years ago.

The Red Sox varieties seem to be somewhat plentiful as I see them on ebay all the time. The others, not so much.

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by hcv123

While we are at it. I am attaching an image of a Clemente pin I have not seen before. It appears to be an early stadium pin. Anyone know anything about it?

this one, right? Not 100% sure I buy the description....it could be true but sounds a bit like wishful thinking to get a wishful price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151175696575...84.m1423.l2649

"SUPER SUPER RARE 1 OF 2 OF THESE 1.75'' PINS THAT I KNOW OF THAT EXIST AND I OWN THE SECOND ONE. THIS PIN IS NOT IN DR. PAUL M. MUCHINSKY'S PINBACK BUTTON BOOK AND I HAVE ONLY SEEN THE TWO IN 25 YEARS OF COLLECTING. THERE IS A TED KLUSZEWSKI PIN FROM 1958 THAT IS OF THE SAME STYLE WITH LITTLE BASEBALL AFTER HIS NAME. IF YOUR LOOKING FOR THE ULTIMATE IN RARITY OF ROBERTO CLEMENTE OR PINBACK , THIS IS IT."

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

this one, right? Not 100% sure i buy the description....it could be true but sounds a bit like wishful thinking to get a wishful price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151175696575...84.m1423.l2649

"super super rare 1 of 2 of these 1.75'' pins that i know of that exist and i own the second one. This pin is not in dr. Paul m. Muchinsky's pinback button book and i have only seen the two in 25 years of collecting. There is a ted kluszewski pin from 1958 that is of the same style with little baseball after his name. If your looking for the ultimate in rarity of roberto clemente or pinback , this is it."

$5,000??? Wow!

[hcv123]

The image I am familiar with and is from 1956-1958. The pin I have never seen before - which says A LOT - and in my humble opinion would be an indicator that if legit, the pin is in fact quite scarce. $5,000 scarce - that's a different story! Yes, It is the same one listed on ebay in the previous link.

I will try to look for additional info on the other pins being discussed and share when I find it.

[Deertick]

PM-10's

[Nashvol]

This is the only one I've seen like this, certainly a lapel pin from 1907. Can anyone give me a value? Thanks! Skip

[71buc]

Originally Posted by hcv123

I own a Clemente from the same "issue". The work was done by a single photographer. I had researched it some time ago and cannot recall his name right now. He was a team photographer for a professional sports team. He did a number of portraits of Major Leaguers. I own/have owned both pins and proof photos of Clemente, Mays, Rose, G. Perry and a number of Red Sox players. I spoke with the photographers nephew a few years back. He still has the negatives, but was a bit skeptical about speaking with me about them - perhaps because whatever was "released" had no license. I have had my eye out for these pins for over 20 years - they are EXTREMELY scarce. The brewers group pictured is the first time I recall seeing any Brewers. The style of the photograph is the giveaway - They are always - players in uniform set against a solid color background - VERY high quality posing and image quality. The pins I have seen are also different sizes. I have seen at least 1 "super size" image of Clemente

I thought I would share this photo I came across that coo berates your super size description. It appears that Vera Clemente owns one that may have come from the same photo shoot.

[Huysmans]

Hope you guys don't mind me posting a hockey pin...
This is a 1938 Quaker Oats Toronto Maple Leaf premium.

Thanks,

Brent

[Huysmans]

Here's one more...

1904 Owen Sound hockey stick pin.

[jimtigers65]

Shale,

Thanks for the tip. I went to Hobby Lobby this morning and picked up a couple 16 x 20 boxes. This looks like a good project to do today.

Jim

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by hcv123

I own a Clemente from the same "issue". The work was done by a single photographer. I had researched it some time ago and cannot recall his name right now. He was a team photographer for a professional sports team. He did a number of portraits of Major Leaguers. I own/have owned both pins and proof photos of Clemente, Mays, Rose, G. Perry and a number of Red Sox players. I spoke with the photographers nephew a few years back. He still has the negatives, but was a bit skeptical about speaking with me about them - perhaps because whatever was "released" had no license. I have had my eye out for these pins for over 20 years - they are EXTREMELY scarce. The brewers group pictured is the first time I recall seeing any Brewers. The style of the photograph is the giveaway - They are always - players in uniform set against a solid color background - VERY high quality posing and image quality. The pins I have seen are also different sizes. I have seen at least 1 "super size" image of Clemente.

While we are at it. I am attaching an image of a Clemente pin I have not seen before. It appears to be an early stadium pin. Anyone know anything about it?

Well,

Take a look at the photo that sold in the Hunt Clemente auction - image is the same format as the mystery pins - except this one is signed!! Harman studios - mystery solved!

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by hcv123

Well,

Take a look at the photo that sold in the Hunt Clemente auction - image is the same format as the mystery pins - except this one is signed!! Harman studios - mystery solved!

Awesome!

Now....who were Harman Studios?

[MK]

This style of pin is difficult to find for baseball, although it appears to be somewhat easier to find for NFL and college teams. I believe they were distributed in the 1950's but would like to see other examples to narrow the time period down. Does anyone have examples of other teams that might help with my research? Rob (ooo-ribay) if anyone has the Giants example it would be you. Anyone have a Dodger, Cardinal, Tigers, Braves, Red Sox or White Sox example?

[yankeesjetsfan]

Love that Yankees pin.

Mike

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by MK

This style of pin is difficult to find for baseball, although it appears to be somewhat easier to find for NFL and college teams. I believe they were distributed in the 1950's but would like to see other examples to narrow the time period down. Does anyone have examples of other teams that might help with my research? Rob (ooo-ribay) if anyone has the Giants example it would be you. Anyone have a Dodger, Cardinal, Tigers, Braves, Red Sox or White Sox example?

Here's one, Mike. Dead center. I'm not 100% sure this is a BB pin and I'm not sure about most of the far left column either. I like that the one just to the left of my red and white pin with stars has crossed bats on the ribbons. That one could have been sold at both FB and BB games but mine, obviously, came from a BB vendor.

[MK]

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

Here's one, Mike. Dead center. I'm not 100% sure this is a BB pin and I'm not sure about most of the far left column either. I like that the one just to the left of my red and white pin with stars has crossed bats on the ribbons. That one could have been sold at both FB and BB games but mine, obviously, came from a BB vendor.

Rob I notice your Giants version looks like my Bears version in that the line is only at the top of the pin. Maybe the FB pins were designed that way and the BB with lines at top and bottom. I found a college version for sale on eBay and it follows the top and bottom style. Need to see more to figure this out.