BearFanatic34's Chicago Bears Collection: Some New Vintage Things

Collectible Dixie Lids were the tops of those little ice cream containers and were around from 1930 to 1954. They came in two sizes; from 2.25 inches to 2.75 inches, and had a small tab to grab onto to help open the container. Naturally, those with tabs intact are valued higher today than those with missing ones. A person could pull off the top of his favorite ice cream and see an image on the other side. From 1930-1933 the pictures were of things like famous shrines, nature and aristocratic Presidents. And in 1954 the Movie Star series began which remained popular throughout the entire history. You can check out some names from this collection: http://www.oldjudge.com/?showpage=/archive/20100401/dixie-lids/&i=170

Here’s another good informational website: http://www.go-star.com/antiquing/dixiecup.htm

In 1937 the first baseball collection of Dixie lids was issued with 4 cards followed in 1938 with an 8 card issue with 6 baseball players and 2 football players. The football players were Bronko Nagurski of the Bears and Slingin’ Sammy Baugh of the Redskins. Ihave the Bronko Nagurski, which is unfortunately tabless. These lids can be valued from $100 - $800, as far as I have seen.

The Sports lids were halted after 1938 and an effort was made from 1952-1954 (final year) to re-establish baseball player lids.
The following is called an "Ink Blotter" which is way before my time. I guess they were handed out by the Bear's Trainer, Joseph Doller, to promote the dangers of alcohol. The era was the late 1930's. It is as big as an oversized business card.

I am not sure as to when the following came out. It is a medium sized helmet, probably for kids, but it is quite sturdy. It is from a Wilson set called "The American Player" series, and is labeled with the #77 of Red Grange. It has some nicks and scuffs....somebody had fun banging their head. It may have had a chin strap that is missing.

1960s Fred Kail Lineman Figurine:

This is an original ceramic large 3-point stance statue that stands 5 1/2" tall. This football statue curiosity goes by many names: Kail's, FAK's, Joe Jolter, Bruce Bruiser or just "pot-bellied football statues". Football collectors of statues and figurines have heard of the tough Hartland Statues, but few have heard, never mind, seen these little beauties. They are comical yet still have an incredible amount of color and uniform detail. They have become increasingly popular over the last few years as hard core figural collectors look to expand their collections. While attending the Maryland Institute in the mid 50's, Fred Kail Jr. started sculpting novelty football statues using plaster-of-paris. The Baltimore Colts were the "hot" NFL team and being from the Baltimore area, Mr. Kail crafted a Colt lineman with a large potbelly (resembles HOF lineman Art Donovan). This became the prototype statue. A Baltimore Colt's executive saw his work and loved the concept. He ordered enough to be given to the players and select club employees. The word spread quickly and soon he was making statues for all the NFL teams. They were an instant hit and his small enterprise helped put him through college. He hired the Roman Art Company of St. Louis to produce the figurines while still hand painting each one. Fred A. Kail, Jr. created the standing figurine in 1955. It was followed by the 3-point lineman several years later. Allegedly, these were the very first NFL figurines produced. Kail also portrayed many college teams of that time as well. Photos revealing Kail's figurines were seen in Governor's offices. It was also noted that several Presidents were given Kail's figurines. Today, Fred Kail is a renowned sports sculptor. His latest work has been two bronze statues of Johnny Unitas. A seven foot bronze was completed in 1998 for the University of Louisville (Unitas' alma mater). The second was a nine foot bronze completed and dedicated in memorial at Ravens Stadium in Baltimore on October 20, 2002. Also, to many, Kail has been known over the years as the sport of lacrosse's most preeminent sculptor of trophies. His latest creation was the "Tewaaraton Trophy", NCAA lacrosse's most prestigious award, comparable to football's "Heisman Trophy". (Information from Touchdown Treasures http://www.touchdowntreasuresauction.com/LotDetail.aspx?lotid=16) Condition: EX (there is obvious paint flecking loss on the hands, but still presents itself nicely).

Moyer Ceramic Bank

I bought this 1940s (perhaps early 50s ?)Moyer ceramic bank that stands about 7.5 inches…can’t seem to find out too much about them. They seem to have been made in different colors that could be generic to many different teams. I am assuming that they then get customized to suit the fans particular fancy. Mine has a number 77 on it, which represents Red Grange of the Chicago Bears. I have seen pictures of other NFL teams and players, as well as baseball players, cowboys with cowboy hats and also I saw ONE bowler figure. I have read one collector who claims they were made as basketball players, as well.

This is a rare Harlon Hill cigarette lighter from the 50s or early 60s. I don’t understand the correlation with the Sports Director for the radio station…perhaps it was a promotional item or a gift of some sort. Regardless, it has become one of my favorite items in my collection. The Hall of Fame reference is confusing. Hill is not in the NFL Hall of Fame. However he is in the following: (1958) Member of the Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame (1976) Member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame (1990) Member of the University of North Alabama Athletic Hall of Fame (2000) Member of the Lauderdale County Sports Hall of Fame Harlon Hill was born in Alabama and returned there after football to be a public school teacher, coach and eventual Principal. The WHHM 1340 radio station is out of Tennessee, which makes no sense. In 1986 he became the namesake for the Harlon Hill Trophy, presented annually to the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year, which is similar to the Heisman of the NCAA Division I. Hill passed away at age 80 on March 21, 2013.

The following are a series of “dolls” I own that were produced in the late 50’s to early 60’s. The one thing I know for sure is they are manufactured by Columbia Toy Products. The most common reference that I have noticed regarding the NFL dolls is that it is referred to as the 1961 Roko doll, for that is the stamped insignia of the back of the doll’s neck. Other names I have seen are the Columbia Toy Product’s doll and Flip. (see examples) My guess is that Flip was the original name that eventually was dropped. I had one of these dolls already, and then I was able to find another with the original box (which makes zero reference to “Flip”). Then I started finding mistake dolls and variations. Take a look at the “brown” one. It has an orange helmet and the Bears colors are navy blue and orange, so somebody at the manufacturing plant sticks the Bears emblem on the doll. It is actually a Cleveland Brown doll. The bears have never worn orange pants and orange helmets, but the doll makers must have thought so.

1961 Columbia Toys (a.k.a. Roko Doll)

The Bears doll was an "error" doll because the Bears emblem was attached when it should have been the Browns

I don't think the Bears ever wore orange pants, and I know they never had orange helmets.

I believe the doll had previously been marketed as "Flip"

Hedy glassware is a rare sought out collectible from the early 60s. The gold rimmed glasses had etchings of all the NFL teams. I have the 5.5 inch drinking glass and the 2.75 shot glass each valued at between $100-$150. I am aware that a 4 inch glass was also made, along with a decanter and also a glass tray.

After the 1963 season an extremely rare set of NFL Western Division Gold label Hickok glasses were issued. The glasses each measure 5.5" tall and have individual team logos on the 7 teams. The 8th glass shows all the NFL Western Division Championship teams from 1950 through 1963. The teams include the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions,Baltimore Colts, San Francisco Forty-Niners and the L.A. Rams.The Western Division glasses are much harder to find than the Eastern Division glasses and to find a complete set with the box is nearly impossible. I have the Bears glass.

Glassware must have been quite popular back in the early sixties, as many of those items are desired in the collector’s market. The Bears issued their own glass in 1964 with facsimilie autographs of their 1963 Championship team. I have read that the players were given sets of these but I can not confirm that. I also have a similar team glass dated 1967.

Speaking of the 1963 Championship team, I found a 1964 placemat depicting that team and showing the schedule for the new season. I find the jersey numbers very ironic...89 is Ditka, obviously, and #67 is George Seals. The other two numbers are 50 and 34. Numbers 50 and 34 were the numbers of Mike Singletary and Walter Payton...both jerseys, along with Ditka's 89, have been retired, and all 3 of those players are in the Hall of Fame. This place mat was from 1964, WAY before Singletary and Payton entered the league. This place mat was on Ebay forever at $65. No way I would pay that, but I really wanted it! Finally the seller cut the price in half and offered free shipping, so I bought it. Nice!

I thought that I had a complete set of 1964 Coke Caps until I counted them one day and I was one short. After tediously doing a checkoff, I noticed that I was missing Bobby Joe Green. It took me at least 3 years before one showed up all alone on ebay! Hooray! Set complete…again.

I found another 1964 Johnny Hero set of accessories which was obviously the precursor to the one released and repackaged as The Olympic Hero…still in the box which is the way I like things.

Speaking of which, I found another 1967 Horsman Scrambling QB, my 3rd one…This one is NEW in the box! Woo Hoo!

I also purchased a puppet that I did not ever know about. It is smaller but has the same head and face as the 1967 Gund doll. Pretty neat and in excellent condition.

Puppets - I like Chicago Bears Puppets, old and new:

I just recently realized that the figure on the far left is NOT a puppet. LOL - It's a golf club head cover

I bought a small plastic wind up ramp doll with a metal base that goes up and down in an alternating fashion, which allows the little fella to walk. It's about 3 inches tall and carries the #77 of red Grange. It was manufactured in Japan, probably in the 60s.

I purchased another old plastic figure, only because it had Bears colors and looked like something I could have fun with. It's a kicker doll, that when you push down on his head his leg flips up in a kicking motion. I place miniature McFarlane's of Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers in front of his foot and kick them across the room.

I have been looking for the following item for years, as a memory of my childhood. It's a 1960s Winner's Jacket from the infamous Ford Punt, Pass and kick competition. Various age groups were challenged with throwing distance, and kicking and punting distances. The age groups included both boys and girls.

I found a booklet celebrating the retirement of Rick Caseras in 1964. He had a storied career with the Chicago Bears. The booklet is sponsored by teammates and local merchants to honor him. It provides a great synopsis of Rick's career and offers some great pictures.

As a collector, it is always exciting to find something that includes the original box. I already owned two 1977 Action Teammate Dolls but I located one that was "supposedly" new and had the box. I question the "new" part, for my doll came with a #12 decal and arms on backwards. These dolls had rubber band movement which NEVER passes the test of time....brittle and broken. I suppose someone could re-band them somehow. Needless to say, this doll and box holds a value of $200.00

"Vintage" can sometimes include some of my favorite items. Here is a small 1:64 die cast Interstate Batteries Dale Jarrett car, with Joe Gibbs (if you don't know who he is, look him up!) holding a Bears helmet.....AUTOGRAPHED BY GIBBS AND JARRETT!!!!!!

I already have a Houze Art glass and have recently purchased serving plate. It is described as

VINTAGE 1970'S RARE CHICAGO BEARS NFL SMOKE GLASS DISH BY HOUZE. TOUGH TO FIND AS YOU SEE A LOT OF THEGLASSES BUT NOT THESE DISHES! 8 1/4" X 6 1/4" AND COMES WITH ITS OWN CLOTH BAG. COOL PIECE FROM THE 70'S!

It might be 1960s, too. The one bar facemask is quite old. Speaking of the old, one bar facemask, I found an old United airlines luggage tag. It is made of a heavy plastic.