Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[BaltOrioles]

Most of you probably know that as Brooks Robinson was nearing the end of his playing career in 1977, the Orioles featured him on the cover of one of their programs that year. Some may not know that the program has two variations, the regular cover and one that was used Sept 18th for Thanks Brooks Day.

1977 Program #3.jpg

1977 Program #4.jpg

A "Gee Thanks Brooks" poster, reprinted from the iconic Norman Rockwell painting, was passed out to fans as part of the game on the 18th.

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FYI, the other two regular seasons programs from 1977 featured Lee May and Mark Belanger

1977 Program #1.jpg

1977 Program #2.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Day 188 (July 6, 2020 – 188)

Today I’m picturing a 1997 Topps contract accepted and agreed to by Brooks Robinson. Brooks was agreeing to autograph 1,000 reprints of his Topps Rookie card and of course allowing Topps to pretty much use the cards any way they please.

Day 188 a.jpg

[BaltOrioles]

In 1955, Robert Gould Company issued a set of All-Star statues. The company was located in New York, but I don't know much more about them. The series contained 28 player statues. The statues were made of hard white plastic. They measure up to 3 1/2" tall. They come with round bases and the player's names embossed on the front. The statues were sold attached by rubber band to a card that had a drawing of the player and stats. The cards seem to be much more difficult to find than the statues. There were several other sets of statues by Dairy Queen and Big League Stars in 1956, that have a similar look to the Robert Gould set, but I don't believe they included cards.

The only set to include an Oriole was the Robert Gould set.

1955 Robert Gould statue & card of Joe Coleman

DSCN2441.JPG 1955 Robert Gould.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

In 1955, Robert Gould Company issued a set of All-Star statues. The company was located in New York, but I don't know much more about them. The series contained 28 player statues. The statues were made of hard white plastic. They measure up to 3 1/2" tall. They come with round bases and the player's names embossed on the front. The statues were sold attached by rubber band to a card that had a drawing of the player and stats. The cards seem to be much more difficult to find than the statues. There were several other sets of statues by Dairy Queen and Big League Stars in 1956, that have a similar look to the Robert Gould set, but I don't believe they included cards.

The only set to include an Oriole was the Robert Gould set.

1955 Robert Gould statue & card of Joe Coleman

Attachment 408432 Attachment 408430

I really like the Gould statue. Would have been better if they added more Orioles. While I like the statue I like the card even better. Those have to be tough to find.

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Day 188 (July 6, 2020 – 188)

Today I’m picturing a 1997 Topps contract accepted and agreed to by Brooks Robinson. Brooks was agreeing to autograph 1,000 reprints of his Topps Rookie card and of course allowing Topps to pretty much use the cards any way they please.

Mark,

Very interesting and cool piece. It leads me to a couple questions. It looks like part of the deal was to give Brooks 100 cards for himself. Does that me he received 10% of the autographed cards back for his own use or did he receive cards that weren't autographed.

When I had my "Pro Debut" with Aberdeen in 2014, I asked the Topps representative at the game if I could have 20-25 of my cards, when they were printed, for family and friends. I got zero... I had to pick them up off dealers to pass out to people.

[ripfan008]

Good afternoon,

Here's a signed photo of Brooks, I'm guessing from a personal appearance at a Value City Furniture Store.

Value City Brooks Robinson photo.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by ripfan008

Good afternoon,

Here's a signed photo of Brooks, I'm guessing from a personal appearance at a Value City Furniture Store.

Attachment 408466

I would think so. Is it larger than an 8x10?

[ripfan008]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

I would think so. Is it larger than an 8x10?

Hi Mark,

No, it is an 8 x 10.

[Mark70Z]

Day 189 (July 7, 2020 – 189)

I haven’t had this poster framed yet and as you can see just took a quick photo of it (sorry about that). I would assume the poster is from 1976 since it pictures Reggie which, as you know, was his only year on the Orioles. The Orioles illustrated poster is by Jack Davis, of MAD Magazine fame, and measures around 18”x24”. The poster is an ad for Natty Boh and shows all the Oriole stars of the day. You can see Brooks is drawn with a vacuum cleaner for arms; love it!

1976 National Bohemian Poster

Day 189 National Boh poster.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Mark,

Very interesting and cool piece. It leads me to a couple questions. It looks like part of the deal was to give Brooks 100 cards for himself. Does that me he received 10% of the autographed cards back for his own use or did he receive cards that weren't autographed.

When I had my "Pro Debut" with Aberdeen in 2014, I asked the Topps representative at the game if I could have 20-25 of my cards, when they were printed, for family and friends. I got zero... I had to pick them up off dealers to pass out to people.

Good question. I would think it would be just the cards w/o the autograph. My reasoning is, why not just sent 900 back if you’re just going to get 100 right back.

You had to buy the 2014 Topps Alan Strout card that you gave me. I guess I owe you some compensation.