Mickey's Model by Sportmaster

[dandan71]

Hi I'm new to the Glove collecting game and the other day my niece bought me a really old glove that is by sportmaster and says Mickey's model. I can post a photo if you guys/gals would like. Can anyone tell me anything about this glove? I assume it's a Mickey Mantle glove but I thought his Models were made by Rawlings? Thanks! -Danny

[BretMan]

There's one Sportsmaster glove in my collection. The stampings are very faded and you can barely make out the Sportmaster logo, in a pennant or banner, across the palm- just enough to identify the maker.

Unfortunately, with the faded stampings not much more information can be taken from the glove. You can barely make out a small picture on the heel of what looks like a cowhide, with the words "Top Grain Premium(?) Cowhide" in the middle and the words "Pro Model"on the pinky.

The only information available on these gloves is that they were what is known as a "private label" brand. That is, there was no "Sportsmaster" sporting goods company- the gloves were likely made under contract by an establised glove maker, possibly overseas, then labeled with the Sportsmaster logo, usually for sale through a specific retail outlet such as a department store chain.

I've seen the "Mickey's Model" gloves before, as they come up on eBay fairly often. These gloves seem to be from the late 50's or early 60's. By generically stamping the gloves "Mickey's Model", these gloves were playing on Mantle's popularity without actually having Mantle under contract, paying no endorsement fees or royalties on the Mantle name.