Wheaties

I have several Walter Payton Wheaties boxes in my collection...Most are still filled with the original cereal. I don't know if that is a bad idea or not. I guess it is okay if you keep 'em dry and rodent free.

There have only been eight spokespersons that have represented Wheaties, one of which was Walter Payton. There have been numerous individuals who have had their images garnished on the box covers, yet were not official spokespersons. Walter Payton was chosen to represent Wheaties from 1986 thru 1988. He was chosen based on his ideals of giving back to the communities, specifically children. Walter and his wife started The Walter Payton Foundation in 1988 to represent that cause. It is still operating today.

Walter Payton was the FIRST NFL player ever to be on a Wheaties box and was imaged there 9 times. Michael Jordan has the record, something like different 18 boxes....Tiger Woods may take that lead someday.

This is his first box 1n 1986....There were several variations of the banner, like "Free Bread", "Free Photo", "NFL Film Offer", "Instant Winner" ...The one I own says " Ski Vacation"

Also in 1986 there was a Commemorative release with a large up close and personal picture of Walter on the back.




Wheaties boxes come in many different sizes, but mostly 12, 18 and 24 ounces, so Walters pictures were on all of those, as well as a "purple" Crispie Wheaties 'n Raisin box that I own, but do not have a picture of. There is a link to ALL of the box covers and I will try and post that. The Walter Paytons were Series #s 24,25,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,4B, 41A,39C and S94....I am assuming each series represents a "size" or the fact that many boxes are only issued "regionally", as opposed to "nationally".

Here is 1994 cover celebrating 75 years of the NFL....notice Butkus is on there, as well. I also have the 1999 box representing 75 years of Wheaties and Walter Payton is on there.


Famous artist Leroy Neiman did a 1997 cover of Walter


This issue was released in 2000 following Payton's death: "A Tribute to Sweetness"

The flat box at the top is from 1998 and for the 75th anniversary of Wheaties they issued a "top ten" retro type box....I have a miniature version....

Zippo Lighters

Hey, if things are made in a collectible series, and they say "Chicago Bears" on them....guess what? I'll probably collect them. Zippo sellers don't budge very much, though. It's always $20-$30 for one. That means that they will maintain their value, anyway. I hope. Here are my Zippo's:

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Trying to keep up with the die cast business has been tough. I would guess that I have about 5-10 issues missing from my collection (that I know about). The NFL changes "approved" manufacturers of certain products every few of years....Ertl made the 1:24 cars (banks) from 1993 to 2000. In 2000, White Rose Collectibles stepped in and made a panel van and in 2001 through 2005, Fleer was back in the picture. Fleer made a LOT of stuff in a few short years and ended up going bankrupt in May of 2005....Guess who bought their Die Cast business? Well, it's Upper Deck, so who knows what's in store for 2006



Here are some pictures of what I own...I also have more that I don't yet have photos of. I took a bunch of pictures over the weekend and I will scan them in as soon as I get the film developed.

Where do I begin? How about the smaller stuff. here's a collection within a collection of Fleer 1:64 (approx)when they made small vehicles and provided an "Ultra" trading card to go with it. It started in 1999 with Curtis Enis and continued in 2001 (Yukon), 2002 (PT Cruiser), 2003 (Mustang Convertible) and 2004 (Cadillac escalade) with Brian Urlacher cards.



Mantua Train box car 1992 (first series):

Ertl bi-plane coin bank (late 90s):

2003 P-51 Airplane by Fleer:

2003 B52 Stealth Bomber by Fleer:

2004 P-47 by Fleer:

2002 Monster Truck - Fleer:

Here's a 2003 Sideline car..most come with a blue chassis. I own a rare "orange" chassis version with a limited production of only 232:

In 2003 Fleer Collectibles started a 1st in a series of Muscle Cars (I am still missing that car, but I'll get it, don't worry..Series 2 and 3 were a stingray corvette and a cobra (those I have):

Like I mentioned earlier. White Rose Collectibles made the 2000 NFL issue. It's now pictured on the bottom right of my "pyramid" of cars below. It's a panel delivery truck. Fleer took over again in 2001 and 2002 and made a Thunderbird and a Cadillac Escapade 1:24:


They also produced a 1955 Chevy Pickup and a 1940 Ford in 2003 and 2004. there is a 2005 model, but I don't have that yet, either:

Matchbox/White Rose Collectibles

I also own an up to date collection on a series of mini trucks initially manufactured by Matchbox. The series began in 1990. Here are the early 1990, '91 and '92 trucks:





In 1993 Matchbox switched it's NFL series to Tractor Trailers and soon after hired a company called "White Rose Collectibles" to produce them. That is why you will see the name of Matchbox and White Rose Collectibles on a few years in the mid to late 1990's. I believe that White Rose Collectibles became the exclusive producer of these trucks in 1998 or 1999.

The Memory Company

The Memory Company burst onto the scene around 2002 (maybe even 2001 with a 1st edition Santa figurine) and began producing a few specific items for the NFL, as well and MLB, and maybe some others. I believe that initially their niche was carved toward Christmas items such as Santa and Snowman Figurines and smaller scale ornaments that mirrored the Santa figurine. The first products made were in 2002. I had to make a decision on which direction to go, as a collector, so I chose their smaller Santa ornaments and their 7"-8" Snowman figurines. I will display my "Christmas" Bears' stuff in a later section.


My Collection Blog here is starting to resemble a freakin catalog, but without a decent digital camera/scanner I have chosen to utilize internet pictures that I have downloaded and saved and then uploaded....

2002 first brought the Brian Urlacher figurine with a $50.00 price tag, follwed by the simple (and HEAVY) resin Bobblehead:

The following year, the Company got creative and made a "Touchdown" Bobblehead that actually appears to be diving for the end zone pilon. Also made in 2003 was the "Powerplay" figurine, an interesting mold of a Bear's player fighting off some pesky division rivals.



2004 brought a more generic look to their products and they produced a helmet-type standing plaque and what they call, a logo "C" figurine.


I don't know why, but around 2004, The Memory Company decided to venture off and went away from the typical figurine/ornament business and dumped "these guys" into the collector's (and/or regular consumer-type person's) market......Of Course. I HAD TO HAVE THEM!!!!!! .....Cookie Jar and a Piggy Bank...they are pretty good size, too.



and finally, well for now....My Memory Company Snowman collection...the series began in 2002 and they are all 7-8" tall and are also snow globes as well as figurines. 2002 was named "The Water Globe Snowman", 2003 -"Snowman Cheer", 2004 -"Snow Fight Snowman" and 2005 is "Stadium Snowman"....