by Number9 » July 9th, 2015, 9:53 pm
The reproduction looks more like a stylistic update when compared to the storefront photo, to me anyway. I would imagine there would be annual, perhaps bi-annual changes to their retail displays.
Hard to tell from the grainy photograph, but it looks as though the bottom graphic is based on an end view of the Ken-Wel retail box with the action scene on top. The repro has the newer script logo from the late 20's or early 30's on top of a field in the shape of home plate, and obviously the addition of the mitt in the background. Too bad we can't see any other info on the early display, like price, etc. Going by the baseball in front of it, which is always going to be around 2 7/8 inches, I'd say the original isn't too far off from 11x14, maybe 12x16 or something like that. The Vance in the background is considerably bigger, somewhere in the 18x24 range.
Whatever the case may be, it's pretty cool to see something close to the whatever-they-are displays that have been selling for years. Usually when you find something that fits into the "fantasy" realm , as this was purported to have been, it is comprised of multiple elements (usually with one being photographic) that have been combined in a new manner. The Babe Ruth Fro-Joy displays come to mind. I can't think of any completely illustrated advertising that has been produced, or reproduced, that is entirely pulled from the ether years after it would have been "new". Most companies would have a favored artist, or style, and most pieces would have a similar look. To completely imagine the Gehrig display in the 1990's with no material reference always seemed unlikely to me.
I didn't even notice the conical baseball displays. Those are very cool as well. I feel like I've seen one of those at some point, probably on ebay or at auction. I'd love to see it come back around.
Huntington Base Ball Co.
www.HuntingtonBaseBallCo.com