BearFanatic34's Chicago Bears Collection: Books, Magazines, Newspapers and Videos

I started off collecting newspapers when Mike Ditka got fired as Head Coach of the Bears. I would find newspapers that reported the firing and save them. Then I would save papers announcing the new Head Coach, and then his firing, and then the next new Head Coach…..on and on…Ditka, Wannstedt, Jauron, Lovie, and now Trestman.

When Walter died, I saved his newspapers. Then I bought one for Brian Piccolo, then Halas. I started to feel silly. Why all these kind of sad records of history.

So then I started grabbing up good news, championship news….1963 articles, and of course, the infamous ’85 Bears. I have the Coach/Ex-Coach stuff packed away and will need to drag them out for photographs, but here are some that I have collected.

Also, I obtained an October 20,1985 profile article on Connie Payton. I was interested in buying this because I had previously purchased the trophy picture from the newspapers archives.

^^^^^^^
Then I found an old Mike Ditka newspaper Comic ad where he tries to help his brother with acne.

October 18, 1964
Here are a few unique newspaper ads that I found. On September 21, 1981 The Sun Times ran a JC Penney ad for a cheerleading camp. And then, we all remember those 1985 Cheeleaders, The Refridgerettes, who, um were not the fittest cheer folks in the nation.

I also have a couple of Gale Sayers ads from the comics part of the newspaper.

Then I started looking for good books, historical type books. A couple that caught my eye. Easton Press put out a nice compilation of the 50 greatest plays by the Bears in 2009 and also a special publication of the 25th anniversary of the 1985 Bears. Here is their hype about themselves and the books:

" Easton Press sells the world's greatest books, bound in genuine leather and accented with 22kt gold. Each book is a Collector Edition that is as magnificent to see as it is to read. Our extraordinary books are an elegant addition to any home or office, and make the perfect gift."

"The Easton Press Collectors Editions, "The 50 Greatest Plays In Chicago Bears Football History" by Lew Freedman.

Bound in Genuine Leather. This special contents of this edition are copyright 2009 by Easton Press,
Norwalk, Connecticut.
This book is printed on archival quality paper especially milled for this edition. It is acid-neutral and conforms to all guidelines established by permanence and durability by the Council of Library Resources and the American National Standards Institute. Printed and bound in the U.S.A. Gold edges and built in bookmark."

This item is still available on The Easton Press Website for around a hundred dollars. Their description is:

"Bronko Nagurski. Mike Ditka. Gale Sayers. Walter Payton. Brian Urlacher.

This captivating ranking of the top 50 moments in Chicago Bears history describes each play, explains its importance, and details how it affected the team. Included are dramatic archival images, diagrams, statistics, quotes from the participants, and more."*

*information by (http://www.eastonpress.com/prod/039/THE-50-GREATEST-PLAYS-IN-CHICAGO-BEARS-FOOTBALL-HISTORY_2285.aspx)
50 Greatest Plays - 2009

50th Anniversay - 2010also from Easton Press

The New York Press put out a wonderful historical book archiving copies of the many articles they had published regarding the Bears.

Here’s how they marketed the book:

"Own your very own piece of Chicago Bears Football history. This collection covers everything from the team's early championship wins, to the Super Bowl Shuffle, right up to the Lovie Smith era. These are Genuine New York Times reprints that come in a full size newspaper format of New York Times coverage including a Special Color Section. Each Page Measures: 15W x 22L inches. Terrific memorabilia addition or gift idea for the avid sports fan in your life !"

Since I am an avid Bears Fan, and I’m alive, so I bought it for myself.

And here is their description of the book:

"· Top news stories about Chicago Bears Football team from early 20th Century to recent past as originally reported

· Bound in a beautiful gold embossed Leatherette book

· Reproduced to a massive 12.5 x 15 inches

Chicago Bears Book

Burgundy

Capture the history and greatest moments of the Chicago Bears through the newspapers, as written at the time.

Starting with the signing of Red Grange to play for the Bears, this book charts a glorious history of great games, record breaking stories, and team triumphs, through the decades of the 20th century up to the recent past.

Top early stories include Chicago’s back to back championships in 1933 and 1934, their 73-0 walloping of the Redskins in the finale of the 1940 season, Walter Payton rushing for 275 yards in a game and the Bears Superbowl XX win over the New England Patriots.

Newspaper coverage continues right up to the recent past. A unique and wonderful gift and must have for all Bears fans.

This New York Times book is a massive 12.5x15 inches and burgundy"

Magazines, Programs, Advertisements….yeah if they are unique and special, I want them and I will get them. The following are some older advertisements utilizing members of the Chicago Bears beginning with a 1941 ad from George Halas himself. I am just really getting started with this portion of my collecting and I have seen many more out there for sale that interest me.

I also picked up a couple of old programs, one from the first NFL game played in London in 1986 (aka The America’s Bowl) Also, I have the 1966 Bears/Packers game at Lambeau. The Bears’ games that year always had the artwork of Dave Boss on their covers. That is one reason why I bought it, the other being it was the Sayers/Butkus era.