a pin anyone?

[springpin]

Since I did the book I have come across this style of pin. I have 2-3 of them, as I recall, but not of this player. They are all slightly larger in diameter than the traditional large PM10 pins. Like many pins, they raise more questions than they answer. Here are some of them:
1. The most distinguishing characteristic of these pins is they feature an "action shot" of the player. I can't recall other pins like that.
2. The name of the player is not in block letters, but in script (presumably the player's autograph). Unusual, but not unique, as a series of early color pins from the late '60s or early '70s (about 3.25" in diameter) had the same feature.
3. None of the players were the stars of the era, or even their own team.

These pins are not reproductions. Who would make these pins, why were they made, and how would they be acquired? Possibly as a premium along with some purchase, but premiums typically have small diameters. Sold as souvenirs at stadiums? Quite possibly, but why have more of these pins not surfaced before? How did these players get selected for production? Wouldn't Mel Ott or Carl Hubbell have greater sales appeal? Does anyone recognize the image of this player from a baseball card?

There are basically two ways to trace the evolution of a pin: 1) production to distribution (sales); or 2) vice versa. Both halves of the puzzle have to "fit" each other. I generally prefer the second way, i.e., first trying to understand why this pin would have been made, and the likely context for its distribution. Alternatively, you could start with the production end (e.g., the union bug), and then try to fathom the who, why, when, and where, given you are holding the "what".

I have no concrete reason to conclude these pins are fantasies. But the answers to the questions raised would go a very long way toward understanding the origin of these pins. Furthermore, who is to say that a union worker on his lunch break in 1938 who used the manufacturing process in the factory to produce a few pins of his favorite players has contributed something of less appeal than commissioned pins sold by vendors at a ballpark?

[springpin]

Rob,

I have always been intrigued why there were two designs for these pins; a star vs. Chief Wahoo at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions. You have two players (Avila and Hegan) in both designs. Do you believe these two designs represent two different years of production? If not across-year production, any idea as to the basis of the two designs within the same year? Another wonderful pin mystery!

Paul

[Rob D.]

Hi Paul,

Nice to see you posting again.

The questions you bring up about this series are similar to ones that I've kicked around countless times with Indians collectors at shows here in Ohio. I do think we're looking at series from two different years, but if we accept that as a fact, it just leads to more questions.

Why issue new poses of Avila and Hegan, popular players to be sure but not on the same level as Boudreau? One theory I have that kind of holds water is that the "star" series was issued first, because the pose of Avila isn't just a head shot but rather one from his waist up, which is different from all of the other poses in both series. So that might explain why a new pose -- one of the more typical head shot -- was used in the second year for the "Wahoo" series. Unfortunately, that doesn't explain why a new pose of Hegan was used, because both are head shots.

The other thing that has bugged me is why examples like Boudreau, Mitchell and Rosen border on being common, but the Wynn and the one pose of Hegan are really, really tough. The reason it bugs me is that somewhere I have an ad from a team-issued publication (and, of course, I can't put my hands on it right now) that shows these very pins being offered for sale. So that always has led me to believe they simply could be purchased, as opposed to being part of a seasonlong giveaway or promotion. Unfortunately, the ad pictures only a generic drawing of a pin -- exact enough to positively conclude that its for this series but generic enough that you can't make out a star or Wahoo to determine the year of issue. Argh!

Another reason I think the "Wahoo" series came second is because that pose of Avila is used in the 1.25-inch series pictured below, which based on the players I've seen, likely was issued third. It would make little sense to go back and use an earlier pose of Avila for this third series -- but I suppose that can't be ruled out entirely, can it?

Like you say, lots of unanswered questions and fun, little mysteries.

[smokelessjoe]

"Boost the City League" pin. And though not a pin, I thought I would post this Ty Cobb pocket mirror...

[ksfarmboy]

My favorites.

[batsballsbases]

Paul,
Just curious do any of the pins you have that look like this ,scripted have a union logo on the back?

[springpin]

Al,

Took me awhile to find the pins in question. What I have realized is all the pins are of Reds players. Yours, mine, and another one held by a third person. Perhaps just a coincidence that only Reds pins have surfaced, but probably not. The Reds were NL Champions in 1939 and 1940. These dates correspond to when the players on these pins played for the Reds. Perhaps they were issued in association with the team's success in that time period. In any event, your question has prompted me to conclude there is an older starting point in the history for the large PM10 pins.

Ciao,

Paul

[batsballsbases]

Paul,
I would conclude the same thing. It makes more sense that it would be a later date. Who would go thru the trouble and union stamp these pins as we said they arenot stars but common players. As you stated maybe the reds did a little package of these pins for the 39 world series. Who knows. But yes I do believe the larger PM10s were started later than the late 40s.

[wrapperguy]

Fabulous items guys!

I love press pins. Here are a couple faves from pre and post war:

17 Chisox WS.jpg 1917 White Sox with ribbon

23 NY WS.jpg 1923 New York

27 Pgh WS.jpg 1927 Pittsburgh

58 NYY WS proto 1.jpg 1958 Yankee prototype

61 NYY WS proto.jpg 1961 Yankee prototype

[Dave4Reds]

Those were some great press pins. How did you come by the prototypes? Those must be incredibly rare. Here are a few from my collection.