Ode to Pre-War Football Cardboard

[jefferyepayne]

Originally Posted by cmoore330

I'm waiting patiently for someone to show off a collection of Gridiron Greats blotters...

Well, I don't have THE collection but this might do for now.

Ink blotting paper was used to blot off excess ink from documents being written with a fountain pen. A blotting paper sheet typically had absorbent material on one side and advertisements on the other. Ink blotting paper was attached to a device called an Ink Blotter that would allow the author to rock the blotting paper over a document to blot off the excess ink. For whatever reason, ink blotting paper is often called an Ink Blotter as well which can be confusing.

Many football Ink Blotters (actually ink blotter paper) exist but around 1937, a set of 12 ink blotters of famous football players was produced. They can be found with and without advertisements on them and in three different sizes: small, medium, large plus on a calendar. Here are a few I have with and without advertising on them.


Red Grange


Tom Shevlin


Walter Eckersall

Here are a couple of other ones from the 1950s


25 Year All-American Team


Bronko Nagurski

jeff

[jefferyepayne]

Ok, I guess the ink blotters weren't a hit. Let's go in a different direction.

In 1926 Red Grange starred in a movie called "On Minute to Play". It was sponsored by a Candy Company called Shotwell Mfg. and they produced two sets of Grange cards that were distributed with a Red Grange candy bar they created. The first is a 24 card set that depicts scenes from the movie. They are blank backed so often called the "Blank Back" set. The second is a 12 card set that depicts Red Grange in his football uniform. They have an advertisement on the back so often are called the "Ad Back" set.

A few blank backs:







A few ad backs:







I haven't seen the signed photo or the album that were available from Shotwell as mentioned in the ad on the back of the cards. Maybe somebody on Net54 has these and could show them.

Here is the Red Grange candy bar wrapper.



There are at least three known versions of the Shotwell Red Grange wrapper.

You will also sometimes see empty Red Grange candy bar boxes up for sale as well.

jeff

[sockwell123]

The Blotters look Pristine. What do you store them and the Wrapper in? if i may ask

[jefferyepayne]

Originally Posted by sockwell123

The Blotters look Pristine. What do you store them and the Wrapper in? if i may ask

In the bank!

Also in large top loaders ... I think that's what you were asking.

jeff

[sockwell123]

Yes sir. The '76 Crane Discs are probably the only thing i have odd sized. i've been trying to figure out what to store them in besides just a plastic sleeve. I don't have anything i'd deem bank worthy... Now that brings up another thought about insurance.

[cmoore330]

Everything about those blotters is a hit! Thanks for posting them.