Petitto busts

[laughlinfan]

Anybody have any Petitto busts from the early 50's they are looking to sell? Or have any photos you'd like to share?

Marty

[laughlinfan]

Here's a pic of one I had for a short while (and would like to get back again)!

[perezfan]

I have an "in-sain-ly" rare Johnny Sain Bust that I could potentially sell. I have never seen another in 20+ years of collecting these. Since you collect them, I would be eager to hear if you know of any others.

Anyway, feel free to email or PM if you have interest. I also have the Ted Williams prototype from this series. It is solid metal (not plastic) and it weighs a ton. I believe it to be a one-of-a-kind piece.

Thanks and happy collecting!
Mark

[canjond]

Not sure if this link will work but an interesting read on the busts from Baseball Digest, July 1949...

http://books.google.com/books?id=3jI...0busts&f=false

[perezfan]

Great read.... thanks for posting!

That's the first I have ever seen anything published about this obscure set of busts. The only exmples I have actually seen are Jackie Robinson, Ted Williams, Warren Spahn and the single Johnny Sain. I wonder if there are others.

I have similar (in size and structure) Joe DiMaggio and Bob Feller Busts, but they are not marked "Petitto Studios". I believe Brock from our forum came into a Ted Williams about a year ago, but other than that, these rarely get a mention.

Interesting that the author chose to talk about the sculpting of the Johnny Sain Bust. Anyway, I have it (and it did turn out to be rare).

If anyone cares to see a picture, I can post one, perhaps this weekend.

[laughlinfan]

Great article - thanks for finding that! 1949-1950 certainly seems to make the most sense based on the ones I have seen. The only ones I have on hand right now are a Ted Williams and a Ralph Kiner (that was supposedly from his personal collection, but not verifiable - still pretty neat). I had the Spahn and an Alvin Dark as well, but sadly, no more. And the plastic Jackie Robinson candy container that was also done by Pettito, of course. I did see a few others several years back - maybe I saved off a picture...

I have never seen anything about them as far as how they were distributed. They are not common, but being made of a plastic material, you would think they would have had to have lasted in a reasonable number proportionate to how many were produced.

I would love to see a pic of your Sain - be nice to get an idea of which ones are out there.

[perezfan]

Here is the Sain, along with 4 others.

L to R....

Robinson Candy
Robinson Non-Candy
DiMaggio
Sain
Felller

As stated above, the Feller and DiMaggio Busts are similar in composition, but appear to be made by a different company than Petitto. Maybe Brock will post his Ted Williams. If I remember correctly, it is missing the clear bottom tray portion... but is still a great display piece (and very rare).

[laughlinfan]

Sorry - this work stuff always gets in the way of a good conversation! Here's a pic of my Kiner and Williams. I actually saw another Williams a few years back sculpted with no hat. Seems like they did lots of players and multiple variations - surprised I don't see these more often - the plastic makes them fairly indestructible!

[BrockJacob]

Here is the Ted Williams version I have that Mark referenced

[laughlinfan]

Thanks for posting Brock! Lots of different styles on these, it seems. I have also seen an Alvin Dark and a Mickey McDermott, and one of Joe D's brothers (but I forget which one!)