Hey, pennant guys

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by andypcl

Hi All,
So I was luckily able to pick up this one albeit with a missing 1/2 inch of the spine. It was hanging for decades in a den and the pennant itself is in fantastic shape with great color. You can see what color of the spine should be where the thumbtack was removed. I didn't really want to mess with it but would you guys try the bleach solution on this spine? Or a little light soap and water?
Thanks!
-Andy

Amazing pickup Andy! Such an attractive and rare example...

Regarding the spine, I bet the spine would bleach very well, but given the value of the pennant, be sure to tape it off very carefully. You definitely don't want even a single drop of beach to touch that red felt. And I am not sure if bleach bleeding through to the reverse side is a further concern. Perhaps Rob has experience with this, and can chime in.

Another option is a spine "transplant". I have never done this, but know of a forum member here who has done it on occasion (with great results). It would involve using a "donor pennant" with a similar (if not identical) white spine. And a seamstress who can replicate the original stitching.

While I don't advocate for this, it would kill two birds with one stone... the soiled color and missing top portion. The lighter colored tack hole wouldn't bother me on its own at all... the missing top portion of the spine might. A transplant would definitely make the pennant look/display better, but you'd always know the pennant is not all-original.

For that reason, I am with Greg... leave it as-is.

[MK]

Has anyone ever seen this pennant in full size? I’ve only seen it as a mini.

[thetahat]

Originally Posted by MK

Has anyone ever seen this pennant in full size? I’ve only seen it as a mini.

Nope, not me. By the looks of the spine and tassels it looks like it belongs to a series of late 30s mini pennants, most but not all have a player graphic. See pic, it looks like a match. Maybe not the exact same time period but looks like same maker. ... These minis in general were made in a larger size, but closer to 3/4, not full. At least I don’t think so.

[andypcl]

Thanks for the feedback Mark and Greg! I was gonna play with it a little bit but am now going to let it be as it is.

[thetahat]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Amazing pickup Andy! Such an attractive and rare example...

Regarding the spine, I bet the spine would bleach very well, but given the value of the pennant, be sure to tape it off very carefully. You definitely don't want even a single drop of beach to touch that red felt. And I am not sure if bleach bleeding through to the reverse side is a further concern. Perhaps Rob has experience with this, and can chime in.

Another option is a spine "transplant". I have never done this, but know of a forum member here who has done it on occasion (with great results). It would involve using a "donor pennant" with a similar (if not identical) white spine. And a seamstress who can replicate the original stitching.

While I don't advocate for this, it would kill two birds with one stone... the soiled color and missing top portion. The lighter colored tack hole wouldn't bother me on its own at all... the missing top portion of the spine might. A transplant would definitely make the pennant look/display better, but you'd always know the pennant is not all-original.

For that reason, I am with Greg... leave it as-is.

This pennant has a very unique spine, it’s not felt and it’s not cloth. I don’t know how to explain it except to say it’s the same as on the 1955 and 1956 World Series pennants, the ones with the Brooklyn cap. Clearly the same (unknown) company, they also made pennants for the 1956 and 1958 NFL Championship games. It almost has a feel like canvas ... No question it would come up snow white... with very careful application (like with a dowel or plastic strip through the spine) it could maybe be improved. It’s just that near the threads, that’s where it gets shaky. The threads will likely get wet and they come in contact with the red. .... A spine transplant will look to a collector like a dog’s head on a cat, because the spine is so unique. Take comfort in knowing that, even with the issue in the upper corner, it is rare enough that it would be considered tolerable by many collectors. Good idea to just let it be. Thanks for sharing pic!