BearFanatic34's Chicago Bears Collection: Posters and Other Wall Hangings

The following shows the many posters and other wall hangings that I have collected in the last 2 years. Some have interesting stories and some I know nothing about. The first one here, I know little about except that it is 11"x9" thick cardboard stock representing the Chicago Bears "Bear" from the 1950s.

One of the first well known posters for the NFL were a series of posters by and artist be the name of George Bartell. George was well known for his NFL posters that many a child had on their walls in the early 70s. Here is a website that has copies of several NFL teams. The posters were produced by Stancraft in 1972.

http://fleersticker.blogspot.com/2011/10/1972-stancraft-nfl-posters-by-george.html

This poster is quite valuable today, in the $100 range
Here are some examples of his automotive work, which was his specialty.

http://todaysinspiration.blogspot.com/2012/05/george-bartell-i-never-hesitate-to.html

From original art to high quality lithographs to posters, it’s art you appreciate more each day. As George would explain: "The brain is amazing. You just give it an idea and it will fill in the rest." Never ‘overworked’, some of George's best art is of the automotive industry.

George Bartell: "I never hesitate to improvise"

George Bartell Died Feb 2013 at 99

These were purchased directly from r. pelkowski, the artist. The following is HIS description.

"Vintage 1971 (11x14) Set of 4 Original (not reprints) Chicago Bears Sporticatures. The set of (4) include #55 linebacker-Doug Buffone, #45 wide receiver- Dick Gordon,#21 running back -Cecil Turner,and #83 punter- Mac Perceval. This set of (4) Chicago Bears Sporticatures are from my OWN
(r. pelkowski) collection of memorabilia that I created many years ago. These (4) Bears Prints are the only Sporticatures I created outside the sport of hockey. The Condition of each original print is excellent. I hope these 4 Sporticatures and my other sport art works will become great additions to any memorabilia collection. I will gladly, upon request, autograph any of my works that any bidders wins."

WOW! Originals! Yes, he autographed them for me.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s the Chicago Bears were represented by a couple of posters usually refeered to by collectors as "The DAMAC" posters. I have the 1979 and 1981 versions by artist Chuck Ren.

Sometime in the 1970's, the National Football League commissioned a series of team and city themed posters and prints, featuring attractive, colorful artwork and Primarily featuring the artwork of the NFL’s official artist of the era, Chuck Ren (1941-1995), The basic criteria for the range was artwork relevant to the NFL team it was representing, including images of players in team uniforms, and a background relevant to the team's location - a landmark or skyline, or something the place was known for.

The poster range ran from 1978 to around 1983, and the artwork was refreshed at least twice for each of the (then) 28 teams of the NFL.

The posters were printed mostly by the Damac company, and is by the name they are best known as, although licenses were also granted to Pro Sports Inc, The Picture Factory and others worldwide. The artwork wasn't just used for the poster range either - the themed images also appeared on postcards, jigsaw puzzles, t-shirts, clocks, wallcoverings and even a card game which featured selected team artworks. Sizes of the posters varied from 25"x23" to 20"x16" and 10"x8" and came framed, unframed and hardboard mounted. (British Magazine AD)

Chuck Ren is probably the most notable contributor to the series, although other artists included Jim Lamb, Paul Kratter and Keith Batcheller.

I have a bunch of those different sized DAMAC posters.

(left)DAMAC mini poster (right) 1985 Rowntree

The Rowntree cards was a very rare 12 card set that was produced by Rowntree's in the United Kingdom in 1985 and was the first NFL Card set produced outside of North America. Each card is 7" x 7" and the back is blank with the exception of the team name and the copyright info which lists NFLP and Light Impressions Limited Bluecoat Chambers Liverpool England . They are visually stunning with high gloss fronts and great artwork. We believe these may have been inserted in multi packs of Rowntree's Drifter Bars at the bottom of the trays similar to Wagon Wheels. As you can see from the wrapper and ad, there was a mail in promotion for NFL Posters, although some of the teams are different on the Posters, the photos of the matching teams are the same. Each of the cards is numbered on the back

(left) From a Waddington's American Football game 1986 (center) Waddington Puzzle and poster (right) 1990 Stamford Art framed mirror

Apparently the NFL had some sort of merchandising agreement with Great Britain, for most of this stuff was from there.

Who can forget all of those posters of the Chicago Bears from the infamous 1980s, etc. I have several:

Also, a nice little flashing light sign to hang on the wall.

Below is a poster by Ray Murman that was used as a fundraiser to benefit Cystic Fibrosis. It is very rare and the condition is as follows: MONSTERS OF THE MIDWAY 1985 AWARD WINNING PERFORMANCE
BY Ray Murman, shown at the Taylor Gallery to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Features a Bear in uniform on the John Hancock Building, with a Good Year Blimp, fighter jet plane, balloons. Very colorful and unique! .
Condition: Good used condition, with some creasing and wrinkling throughout. Some nicks, scuffs, and creases on edges. Two staple hole tears on top corners.
Size: 20" x 28"

I have it framed and it looks pretty darn good to me.

In 1986 Kodak put out a HUGE Bears team poster that was 79" by 52". I had one on the wall at one time, but it just took up too much space. In fact, the condition got so poor from falling down all the time and having a gazillion tac holes, that I ended up throwing it away....bought another one later, looked at it and then put it back IN THE TUBE. And THAT is where it shall remain.

1987 and 1990 Cameo schedules - good sized cardboard - neat artwork

Roland Harper mini poster still in pack on top

Just a mirror

I bought the neon light for $25.00 and the Seller offered free shipping. I felt bad the day it was delivered. The guy had to pay $25.00 in shipping. I got over it quickly. Now, I just laugh. I have seen these sell in the $200.00 range.

wood routed and stained logo

old banner 45x53

I purchased a lithograph from an artist by the name of Rick Rush. It is from his Millenium Series and is titled "Won For Papa" and pays tribute to the 1985 Bears and the Bears founder and owner, George Halas.

from his website http://rickrushart.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=223
Rick Rush Millennium Series

The Millennium Series is a Limited Edition of lithograph prints on acid-free heavy cardstock. All Millenniums are numbered and initialed by Rick Rush. As with all of the artwork we sell, each print is thoroughly inspected by our staff to ensure that you are getting the absolute best representation of Rick's original painting.

Millenniums are shipped flat to your home or office in a glossy portfolio. Included in the portfolio is a certificate of the artwork's authenticity, as well as a writeup of the event that inspired this work, detailing the atmosphere and emotional buildup.

'Won For Papa' Millennium: $60.00
Issue Date: November 1999
Edition Size: 1,000
Image Size: 17 x 14 inches

Robert Riger stuff (Google him)