Hey, pennant guys

[vintagesportscollector]

Originally Posted by Domer05

Joe, I'm convinced your Cornell pennant is indeed by Repco. No-contrast spine + collegiate block letter outline font would be enough for me; but, additionally this bear artwork is awfully similar to "Brown bear," which was copyrighted in 1909 by Repco.

Thanks Kyle, very helpful, as always. I was just thinking this could not be Repco when you said that 1915 is about when it appears Repco may have left the pennant market, and that you couldn't think of a Repco pennant we can definitively source to them after 1914.

The Cornell Bear came onto the scene when a bear cub from Maine joined the sideline during games in the Fall of 1915. By the the end of the season the Cub had completely gone viral, widely popular on campus. I assume the earliest this pennant would have been created is very late 1915 or 1916. So I guess this could be an example where Repco’s pennant making continued into 1915 or 1916. The investigation to try an pinpoint dates for memorabilia is always fun stuff, thanks for the help!

[vintagesportscollector]

Originally Posted by vintagesportscollector

Thanks Kyle, very helpful, as always. I was just thinking this could not be Repco when you said that 1915 is about when it appears Repco may have left the pennant market, and that you couldn't think of a Repco pennant we can definitively source to them after 1914.

The Cornell Bear came onto the scene when a bear cub from Maine joined the sideline during games in the Fall of 1915. By the the end of the season the Cub had completely gone viral, widely popular on campus. I assume the earliest this pennant would have been created is very late 1915 or 1916. So I guess this could be an example where Repco’s pennant making continued into 1915 or 1916. The investigation to try an pinpoint dates for memorabilia is always fun stuff, thanks for the help!

Ok, just came across this in Worthpoint, after I posted. This may add a wrinkle to things. The bear artwork is Repco’s copyrighted art, but according to the Worthpoint listing there is a Langrock tag on the pennant. Only difference is the contrast spine. I guess it’s possible Langrock could have made a pennant too with a non-contrast spine that matches the Repco artwork and lettering? Just speculating, but the use of the artwork and lettering muddies things between the two makers.

[ooo-ribay]

It seems like Joe (vintagesportscollector) is a somewhat new contributor to our group. A very welcome contributor! You (Joe) have some great pennants and insight. “Inquiring minds want to know.”

https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=in...E0a6uf3mM,st:0

[vintagesportscollector]

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

It seems like Joe (vintagesportscollector) is a somewhat new contributor to our group. A very welcome contributor! You (Joe) have some great pennants and insight. “Inquiring minds want to know.”

https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=in...E0a6uf3mM,st:0

Thanks Rob. Not so much new, as sporadic or infrequent contributor, given my unique and narrow collecting focus, but this thread is my favorite on N54.

[thetahat]

Originally Posted by vintagesportscollector

Ok, just came across this in Worthpoint, after I posted. This may add a wrinkle to things. The bear artwork is Repco’s copyrighted art, but according to the Worthpoint listing there is a Langrock tag on the pennant. Only difference is the contrast spine. I guess it’s possible Langrock could have made a pennant too with a non-contrast spine that matches the Repco artwork and lettering? Just speculating, but the use of the artwork and lettering muddies things between the two makers.

The same bear is on a Cubs pennant

[bocca001]

Since we are on the topic of these circa 1910-1915 pennants, can anyone identify the graphic on this Santa Clara pennant? It looks like a baseball batter to me. Anyone have a pennant with this batter?

[Domer05]

Originally Posted by vintagesportscollector

Ok, just came across this in Worthpoint, after I posted. This may add a wrinkle to things. The bear artwork is Repco’s copyrighted art, but according to the Worthpoint listing there is a Langrock tag on the pennant. Only difference is the contrast spine. I guess it’s possible Langrock could have made a pennant too with a non-contrast spine that matches the Repco artwork and lettering? Just speculating, but the use of the artwork and lettering muddies things between the two makers.

Damnet Joe! We're searching for clarity here--not mud.

Well, this is a problem isn't it.... Can I retract my initial opinion? Yours kinda has to be by Langrock, doesn't it?

As I noted earlier, the two bears--though similar--are different. See below.

It looks to me like Langrock figured out how to make a process pennant; then, made an eerily similar bear to reproduce over and over again on their collegiate pennants. And, they ripped off Repco's letter font, which apparently wasn't copyrighted.

Although we may object to such practice, legally speaking, this would be above board. More importantly, there's plenty of evidence of pennant makers mimicking their competitors' artwork throughout the 20th century, so no reason to think that's not what happened here.

[Vintagedeputy]

I just made arrangements to buy this last night so my apologies for the poor screenshot photo but that’s all I have. It appears to either be a trade card or possibly an ink blotter. I’m assuming that the 1914 champions pennant that it refers to is one that was flown at the stadium and it was manufactured by this company. Since it says last year, I would put it at circa 1915.

[perezfan]

That’s a beautiful piece. Would love to see that actual Athletics pennant.

[Vintagedeputy]

Originally Posted by perezfan

That’s a beautiful piece. Would love to see that actual Athletics pennant.

Perhaps it might show up in some vintage stadium photos?

[Duluth Eskimo]

I can’t let Wisconsin take the lead on any sports conversation so I’ll add my Reproduction Company Minnesota baseball pennant. It’s got a tag on the back, but the photo doesn’t want to upload. Might be too large.

[Domer05]

Originally Posted by vintagesportscollector

Thanks Kyle, very helpful, as always. I was just thinking this could not be Repco when you said that 1915 is about when it appears Repco may have left the pennant market, and that you couldn't think of a Repco pennant we can definitively source to them after 1914.

The Cornell Bear came onto the scene when a bear cub from Maine joined the sideline during games in the Fall of 1915. By the the end of the season the Cub had completely gone viral, widely popular on campus. I assume the earliest this pennant would have been created is very late 1915 or 1916. So I guess this could be an example where Repco’s pennant making continued into 1915 or 1916. The investigation to try an pinpoint dates for memorabilia is always fun stuff, thanks for the help!

Yeah, Repco certainly could have continued making pennants past 1915. I just haven't been able to definitively date one past 1914. So yours is good evidence that perhaps they did make pennants in the latter 1910s. Good insight.