Any One Collect Pins?

[Mark70Z]

I LOVE the Brooksie theme... I know there weren't many Brooks pins so if anyone has any more variety please share.

[71buc]

I have been trying to learn as much as possible about these pins. Earlier I posed a number of questions about them. I thought I would share what I have learned to date.

What years were they produced?
I believe that they were issued from 1971 through 1974.
• The uniforms worn by Fingers and Tenace were last worn by the A’s in 1971.
• Getty images of Willie Stargell indicate that he began wearing the black helmet in July of 1970 and wore it until early in 1971.
• Willie Mays played for the Mets in 1972-1973
• Orlando Cepeda only played for the Red Sox in 1973
• Ron Santo only played for the White Sox in 1974

Are they all easel backed?
The reverse of those issued in 1971 did not have an easel back. The pin was attached to the back via two slots where attached the pin was notched. The image itself was wrapped around the curved outer shell and secured by a flat circular disc on the reverse which also housed the pin mechanism.

Those issued after 1971 seem to have replaced the metal disc backing with a cardboard easel back. The two exceptions to this I have encountered are Scott Garners Nolan Ryan and Willie Mays.

How were they marketed?
I have not found any packaging information to date. However I have come across a few that have a $1.00 price stamped on the cardboard easel (see Hebner photo) which leads me to believe that they were sold at ballpark souvenir stands.

Are there any known scarcities or variations?
So far I have found that the easels were produced in blue, tan, green, white, and yellow (thanks ooo-ribay). The pin with the head shot of Clemente is supposedly very scarce and commands a premium. I recently purchased mine for $80.00. I have no idea if I overpaid. Nonetheless it is the only one I have ever encountered. Prior to this I had not even seen a picture of it so I am pleased with the price. Advanced Nolan Ryan collector Scott Garner reports the Ryan pin is very scarce as well. To date I have only found Clemente, Hebner, Aparicio, and Tiant to have more than one version of the pin. Mike Kendall reports that the Santo pin exists with both Cubs and White Sox versions.

Is there a name or designation for this set?
None that I could find, however, both of the blue easel backs I own have instructions printed on them. They also have manufacturer information which was obscured by black marker. The printing on both states made in the USA and attributes the photo to Canadian photographer Fred Bruemmer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Bruemmer there is a manufacturer name that cannot be discerned and in capital letters DIVISION OF STANDARD PACKAGING CORPORATION. A little research indicates that this was a New York based company. A Supreme Court of Minnesota finding Standard Packaging v. Com'r of Revenue 288 N.W.2d 234 (1979) December 21, 1979 states, “Standard Packaging Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Standard"), a New York corporation, does business in Minnesota as Brown & Bigelow (hereinafter referred to as "B. & B."). B. & B. is engaged in the business of selling advertising specialties”.http://www.brownandbigelow.com/ Perhaps they could be called the Brown & Bigelow PM10s? I am considering reaching out to Brown and Bigelow to see if they could shed any light on these pins or verify that they were in fact the producers. I know my research makes a number of assumptions but at least it's a start. Does anyone else have any theories or opinions.

[ooo-ribay]

^^^^^ two things, Mike:

1) Richie Hebner was a goofy looking dude, huh?

2) Fantastic research!!! I dug out my 12 Giants and can add just a little bit. ALL my pins, with the exception of Kingman, have easel backs. Kingman has that same imprint shown in one of your pics...looks like a circle with an upwards pointing arrow through it. I'd love to know what that mark is about. Kingman was a Giant from 1971-74, so I really couldn't say when his pin was produced (to support or refute your 1971=no easel theory). ALL my easel backs are white, tan, blue or green as you stated, except for Goodson's which is YELLOW. None of the easels are stamped with a price, but Henderson has $1.25 written on it in what appears to be vintage marker. Also, I'm sure you are correct in "your" years of issue...I only chose 1972-73 because those years work for EVERY Giant.

One particular ebay seller has been trying to sell 7 of these Giants forever at $19.99 each. Other than those pins, though, I rarely see these offered. McCovey was a very recent addition (previously unknown) and Rader took me years to find. The one ebay seller has a Rader and, of course, no one wants it (now). I also just noticed (for the first time), Garry Maddox' first name is misspelled "Gary" on his pin.

As far as "Brown and Bigelow PM-10s", maybe you can add to my education.... What does "PM" stand for, anyway? and doesn't "10" (in theory) refer to the black and white player portraits as opposed to some other "PM" issues with different number designations?

Again...great research! This stuff is way more interesting than a bunch of 19th century cards.

[ooo-ribay]

Another thing I just noticed.....other than PITCHERS Bradley, Bryant and Marichal, Maddox is the only guy not in a batting pose. It's as if, for the Giants, batting was the default pose. I wonder if that pose could be tied to a specific year(s).....

[71buc]

I think PM is the designation for pins sold at ballpark souvenir stands.

[Scott Garner]

Nice detective work, Mike!

[MK]

Great research! All the Cubs I have played between the years 1971 and 1974. Banks last year with the Cubs was 1971. Some however, including Steve Stone, Vic Harris, Bill Madlock and Jerry Morales, didn't arrive with the Cubs until 1974. Apparently they made one of Ron Santo with the Cubs, and then in 1974 another one when he was with the White Sox.

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by 71buc

I think PM is the designation for pins sold at ballpark souvenir stands.

But why? What's the P stand for? What's the M stand for?

[MK]

The PM designation came from the American card catalog originally published by Burdick and later revised by Buck Barker. I don't think the P and the M stand for anything, they are just used to designate different types of collectibles. PM 10 were definitely those pins sold by vendors outside stadiums.

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by 71buc

I have been trying to learn as much as possible about these pins. Earlier I posed a number of questions about them. I thought I would share what I have learned to date.

What years were they produced?
I believe that they were issued from 1971 through 1974.
• The uniforms worn by Fingers and Tenace were last worn by the A’s in 1971.
• Getty images of Willie Stargell indicate that he began wearing the black helmet in July of 1970 and wore it until early in 1971.
• Willie Mays played for the Mets in 1972-1973
• Orlando Cepeda only played for the Red Sox in 1973
• Ron Santo only played for the White Sox in 1974

Are they all easel backed?
The reverse of those issued in 1971 did not have an easel back. The pin was attached to the back via two slots where attached the pin was notched. The image itself was wrapped around the curved outer shell and secured by a flat circular disc on the reverse which also housed the pin mechanism.

Those issued after 1971 seem to have replaced the metal disc backing with a cardboard easel back. The two exceptions to this I have encountered are Scott Garners Nolan Ryan and Willie Mays.

How were they marketed?
I have not found any packaging information to date. However I have come across a few that have a $1.00 price stamped on the cardboard easel (see Hebner photo) which leads me to believe that they were sold at ballpark souvenir stands.

Are there any known scarcities or variations?
So far I have found that the easels were produced in blue, tan, green, white, and yellow (thanks ooo-ribay). The pin with the head shot of Clemente is supposedly very scarce and commands a premium. I recently purchased mine for $80.00. I have no idea if I overpaid. Nonetheless it is the only one I have ever encountered. Prior to this I had not even seen a picture of it so I am pleased with the price. Advanced Nolan Ryan collector Scott Garner reports the Ryan pin is very scarce as well. To date I have only found Clemente, Hebner, Aparicio, and Tiant to have more than one version of the pin. Mike Kendall reports that the Santo pin exists with both Cubs and White Sox versions.

Is there a name or designation for this set?
None that I could find, however, both of the blue easel backs I own have instructions printed on them. They also have manufacturer information which was obscured by black marker. The printing on both states made in the USA and attributes the photo to Canadian photographer Fred Bruemmer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Bruemmer there is a manufacturer name that cannot be discerned and in capital letters DIVISION OF STANDARD PACKAGING CORPORATION. A little research indicates that this was a New York based company. A Supreme Court of Minnesota finding Standard Packaging v. Com'r of Revenue 288 N.W.2d 234 (1979) December 21, 1979 states, “Standard Packaging Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Standard"), a New York corporation, does business in Minnesota as Brown & Bigelow (hereinafter referred to as "B. & B."). B. & B. is engaged in the business of selling advertising specialties”.http://www.brownandbigelow.com/ Perhaps they could be called the Brown & Bigelow PM10s? I am considering reaching out to Brown and Bigelow to see if they could shed any light on these pins or verify that they were in fact the producers. I know my research makes a number of assumptions but at least it's a start. Does anyone else have any theories or opinions.

and another thing I just noticed....some of my Giants pins say "San Francisco" and others say "San Fran."

[71buc]

Although these circa 1965-66 lenticular pins are not difficult to find I have always liked them. I have the Dodger and Angel versions in my collection already. The reason for my post is to share my recent pick up of the Astros pin. I thought others may be interested in seeing how these were originally packaged as this is the first time I have seen one attached to the display board.

[ooo-ribay]

I love those pins too, Mike. You don't see the Giants versions all that often, even though Burlingame is in the Bay Area. I love the manufacturer's name....Dimensional Research....as if guys in white lab coats were turning these out. I appreciate seeing the original packaging, especially the guy who appears to be wearing the pin in his local liquor store.

Are you sure the "Astronut" is an Astros pin? It seems like, if that were the case, it might say "Astrosnut." Perhaps it was just capitalizing on all the interest in space travel at that time. Also, the others are all California teams...

[batsballsbases]

Mike I dont know about the astronut as it might be about space but I know there is a cubs one and here is the Mets one I have.

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by batsballsbases

Mike I dont know about the astronut as it might be about space but I know there is a cubs one and here is the Mets one I have.

Hey Al - is your Mets example marked "Dimensional Research" on the back?

[71buc]

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

Are you sure the "Astronut" is an Astros pin? It seems like, if that were the case, it might say "Astrosnut." Perhaps it was just capitalizing on all the interest in space travel at that time. Also, the others are all California teams...

Originally Posted by batsballsbases

Mike I dont know about the astronut as it might be about space but I know there is a cubs one and here is the Mets one I have.

I had the same thought. I believe they were produced in 1965 as reflected by the Dodgers World Series championship of that year. Due to this I thought there was a reasonable chance that it was an Astros pin as they has changed their name from Colt 45s to Astros that year. However, I'm certainly willing to concede that may not be the case

[batsballsbases]

Originally Posted by 71buc

I had the same thought. I believe they were produced in 1965 as reflected by the Dodgers World Series championship of that year. Due to this I thought there was a reasonable chance that it was an Astros pin as they has changed their name from Colt 45s to Astros that year. However, I'm certainly willing to concede that may not be the case

Hi Mike,
The only reason I say that is because everyone of these that I have seen always seems to mention the team on the pin. I think if it was Houston Astros they would have put it in the pin. Just my thought.