The Niner's Den - Looking back on the "True Fans"

Years ago, when the "Niner's Den" was located in Canyon Country, CA in North Los Angeles County, we would invite only True Niner Fans of ALL ages. It was a blast. The bar in the back would be full of different foods that a nervous fan could chew on until the bitter end of the game. There were plenty of seats and reasons to cheer on the Niners.  We even gave things away, as you entered the den you received a raffle ticket and throughout the game various large gifts like jerseys, figures or even pennants would be given away.  Now many of those kids are in college and I've moved 40 minutes further north, still in Northern Los Angeles County but no Niner's Den...not yet! 

I have the building, just not the time to organize it open the doors, not yet, but sometime soon. Maybe next season.  Anyway, Thank you Northern LA County Faithful, it was a blast and the memories will last a lifetime.  Go Niners ! ! !

 

THE TOP 10 MOST WANTED - PENNANTS

 These are the most elusive pennants that I've been searching for since I've been collecting 49er pennants back in the early 1980's.  If you know of any place I could purchase them, I'd love your help.  Please email me at mtnmike813@yahoo.com.  Thanks in advance.

1. 1982 Ronnie Lott Pennant

 

2. SF - Script Font Pennant 

😃FOUND-NOW IN COLLECTION😃

 

3. GO GO Pennant (Different company/sponsor logo's) 

😃FOUND-NOW IN COLLECTION😃

4.   2. 1953/54 NFL Teams Pennant

 

 

5.  3. Wincraft 2020 Mascot 46' Pennant

 

6.  4. Blue Hamm's Beer 49ers/Giants 1950's Pennant 

7.  5. 49ers vs Seahawks American Bowl 1998 Pennant

 

 

8.  6. NFC Bowl Pennant

 

9.  7. 1981 NFC Championship game Pennant (Just like the AFC...I'm sure they made one but can't find it)

10.  8 . SB XVI Champs (Logo surrounded by names) Missed out just recently. (Most elusive one)

😃FOUND-NOW IN COLLECTION😃

Thanks to Marc Boccaccini 

9 . 1980's Huddles pennant (I believe this is not a full size, probably a medium)

😃FOUND-NOW IN COLLECTION😃

Thanks to Marc Boccaccini  

 

8 . 1960's Yellow & Red FULL SIZED (I have the Mini size, not full sized)

 

Any help in finding these for my collection would greatly be appreciated. Please email me directly at mtnmike813@yahoo.com

Another glass piece for the Collection - Part 2 - 1960's Hedy 8"x16" Candy Serving Tray

It's been forever since I added to my 1960's 49er's Hedy Glassware collection.  So today, for my 21st Wedding Anniversary, my wife gave me a present (I bought but didn't see until today) that made me so excited, like a kid at Christmas.  

It's the Hedy 8"x 16" Candy Serving Tray.  It's in great shape and all thanks to incredible packing by Erin in Illinois who sold it to me.  It's got great full color in tremendous shape.

Ultimately, I still need to get more pieces for the full collection, one at a time with hope that eventually I'll get the entire set.  

Again, anyone knowing someone who's selling 49er Hedy glassware, please reach me at mtnmike813@yahoo.com

Go Niners ! ! !

One Man's Trash (can) Is Another Man's Treasure - 1971 49ers TRASH CAN

 I was 12 years old in 1971 living in Woodburn, Oregon and was fully enthralled with 49ers and had some of my favorite players, even though I could only see fuzzy visions of their names on their jersey's and helmet covered faces.  We didn't have HD TV's, in fact the only way to see our TV was to move the rabbit ears every few minutes to see clearly for 2-3 minutes at a time.  So when there were articles of the 49ers in our local Oregonian paper, I could see close ups of the players faces and felt a better connection was made with my team.

In 1971 the NFL made a promotional move in  the true spirit of connecting fans with their team and chasing the almighty buck, they decided that it was a great idea to distribute NFL Team Trash Cans.  And why not; every fan has, at one point in time, had thoughts of their team stinking it up or yelling at the top of their lungs that their team was "nothing but trash".  I mean, sure this way your team can become synonymous with trash.

1971 NFL Players Association Trash Can

The 49er's in 1971 were not even close to trash, in fact they were playing the Cowboys for the NFC Championship. Unfortunately, they fell short and the Cowboys went off to the Superbowl. But, the 49ers weren't trash.  All of this to say, when I had the opportunity, I had to get a NFL - 49er's Trash Can to add to my collection.

The 1971 49ers Trash Can

Having pictures of the entire team was priceless to me.  Not all of them had football cards I could see their faces on, so this trash can was the 2nd best way to see the players.

The 1971 49ers Trash Can - The Offense

Oh, Look my Hero John Brodie with his favorite receiver Gene Washington on the Offense side of the trash can.

The 1971 49ers Trash Can - The Defense

Players of the Defense were even highlighted...how great.

The 1971 49ers Trash Can - Goal Post Seam

They didn't forget any of the marquee players, but what about the Coaches?

I guess they didn't have a Walsh, Mariucci, Harbaugh or even a Shanahan that they felt they should highlight with the Offensive or Defensive starters.  But at least I could see the players as I try my hook shot with my baseball card wrappers.. um Football Card wrappers.  

Truly, this is a unique and fun trash can that is in the true circa 1970's styling.  GO NINERS ! ! !

TOYS WILL BE TOYS

49er Promo Toys from the 60's, 70's and the 80's

As an avid collector of 49ers (or any team folks like a lot), you see the odd, the strange, wierd or 1 off items and say to yourself..."I've got to get me on of those".  I'm caught saying that a lot.  I've seen these types of Promotional Toys from the 60's, 70's and the 80's and I thought I'd highlight a few of the ODD BALL things I've collected.

1967 Gund Promo Running Backs

1967's must have been a bustling time at the Gund Creations Manufacturing in Brooklyn, NY.  I have several odd ball 49ers Promo items from 1967, all Gund.  I have the larger Gund manufactured dolls, but one of the rarer items is the 49ers Wind-up Running Back.

1967 49ers Gund Wind-up Running Back Toy

This pudgy #47 running back couldn't make it onto the team today, especially because he doesn't run, he waddles around carrying the ball. He's old and the helmet logos which have faded on one side and barely staying put on the other side of his helmet are the proof of the age of this "ageless beauty'

1967 Gund 49ers Promo Blowup Running Back

Another quality Gund product from the 1967 promotional items is the rare plastic blowup toy of a 49ers running back...Hmmm, I think there's a theme going on here.

1967 Gund 49ers Promotional Blowup Running Back

This blowup promotional toy is rare and pretty awesome.  My only wish is that I had one that wasn't damaged.  Even though a large portion of his thigh got ripped up,  he's still a fine specimen of Gund products during the 1960's.

1970's IHOP 49ers Helmet

As a kid, I always loved staring aimlessly at the gum ball machines and the trinket type toy machines right next to them.  I remember the plastic helmets in those vending machines, and always wanting the 49ers to roll out, but to no avail.  That is until IHOP...

1970's IHOP Plastic 49ers Vending Machine Helmet

In the 1970's International House Of Pancakes (IHOP) came out  with promotional plastic helmets for every NFL team.  Kids would pull them out of the plastic bag and play with them while eating their pancakes and syrup. By the end of the meal the parents would hide the sticky treasure and sneak away to throw them away. So, an IHOP helmet in perfect, unopened, non-sticky mess is truly a rare find for sure.  I loved collecting things like this, thus... I still have one unopened... all for the love of the game (and the team).

1982 Hilco House 49ers Whomp*It! Puppet 

I actually have 2 of these little guys, one out of his box, while his twin is locked away permanently for a lifetime in his original box.  I love the promotional aspect to this toy. He's interactive and has the team flag as an incentive to have him fly the flag, you've got to get your fingers just right to have him release his excitement  (and 49ers pennant) for all to see. 

1982 Hilco House - 49ers Whomp*It! Puppet

I love all these "Hard To Find" and odd promotional 49er team toys, all to gather the imagination of generations.  Thank you Gund, IHOP, Hilco House and others... you keep us collectors happy.  Please promotional manufactures; bring out more so we can start grabbing those things up for generations to come.

Go Niners ! ! !

EXTREMELY RARE - Vernon Davis McFarlane Variant/Chase #30 of 50

As a collector of ANYTHING San Francisco 49ers, I started collecting the Starting Lineup NFL figures from Kenner as soon as they hit the shelf back in 1988.  Once that had played out and finished it's run in 2001 it left a collector hunting for the next big thing to add to a collection, which happened to be McFarlane figures which filled the void that same year in 2001. 

Since the beginning of Todd McFarlane's NFL series of McFarlane NFL Team player figures,  I have diligently collected the entire 49ers players selections, well...all but one.  From the McFarlane figures, I gathered up Forty Niner Players; earlier players, specialty series, distinct sizes and the harder to find Variants or Chase figures.  Out of the entire years of collecting the McFarlane NFL series, the only one I couldn't locate within a price range that I could honestly afford was the Extremely rare Series 32, Vernon Davis Chase/Variant.  The Vernon Davis Variant is of Vernon in his White Jersey and an extremely limited serial numbered figure of 1 of only 50 ever made and distributed, stamped onto the side of the platform or stand.

Series 32 Vernon Davis McFarlane Variant/Chase in a White Jersey

Typically, the Vernon Davis Variant/Chase McFarlane figures sold from anywhere between $300-$650 on up. There was no way I could afford or even justify a purchase like that. So, for years I've kept my eyes and ears peeled for this coveted variant, without any luck and figured that I wouldn't ever have one in my collection...that is until last week.  

Right after Christmas, I noticed a posting for a Series 32 Vernon Davis Variant/Chase McFarlane figure, but there was no mention of a serial number, which is a clear verification of the rare figure.  So reluctantly I purchased it, not knowing if this extremely low priced Vernon Davis Variant in a White Jersey was an actual or just a custom painted figurine.

Today in the mail, I received my answer...it was the REAL THING, a serial numbered Vernon Davis Extremely hard to find variant serial numbered #30 of 50.  WOW ! ! !  I'm so shocked, I got one, Finally, I actually have one. So very cool.

Extremely rare #30 of only 50 McFarlane Vernon Davis wearing a White Jersey 

I finally got one, for a real reasonable price, I actually have one! I'm in total shock. (Can't you tell?) So very cool and I had to share and post my rare find right away.  Last night the 49ers beat the Seahawks for the 2019 NFC West Championship, so it's the perfect celebration gift.  Special thanks to the company that sold it to an avid collector that desperately wanted to add one to his collection.  Deepest thanks.  Go Niners ! ! !

Rare Unopened 49ers 1977 Action Team Mate

1977 Unopened Action Team Mate

Ok, I'm a grown man, yet I'm as giddy as a kid at Christmas right now because I finally acquired an extremely rare 1977 Pro Sports Marketing NFL Action Team Mate figure yesterday.  I've been waiting for some time to see one of these bad boys for sale for the right price and complete in the blister, on the card, untouched...Finally, I found one.

These things are much larger in both packaging and the figure than I thought it would be.  I have the Starting Line Ups & McFarlane well over 75 or more, all 49ers and much smaller than this Action Team Mate figure.  The blister has yellowed over age and a slight blemish to the bottom left of the card, but I'm fine with that, at least it's untouched.  It's got the SF logo on the sides of the helmet and a small sticker on the front of the package "SAN FRANCISCO 49'ERS", in case someone wasn't familiar with the team...Oh come on it's the Forty Niners Folks!

Years ago when I first saw one of these,  I thought "I've got to get one of these"

because of the Jersey Number "12".  My childhood hero, John Brodie.   That may be stupid to some, but I always saw that bright red jersey with the solid white 12 numbering on his chest and thought it was sooo cool. When I finally met him in 2014 at the private consignees party at the 49er Museum in the new stadium, I was beaming from ear to ear.  Looking over his personal memorbilia at the museum, I couldn't believe I was hanging out, talking with Mr. John Brodie...It was awesome. He was fun to watch as he threw to Gene Washington, instilling dreams for a kid from Oregon to watch on Sundays.

Good Ol' Number "12", John Brodie

Meeting my Hero back in Sept. 2014

So, that's why I wanted this Action Team Mate figure mostly.

I love the packaging for this. The back shows kids who have pulled them out and start playing football plays with them, encouraging them to play with their new "Team Mates"...ah no!!!  Don't do that kids.  I would have never done that. I collect and immediately they go into some protective sleeve, package, ziplock or whatever...protect and don't play with.  Just admire. 

Back of Package

Over the years I've collected every Starting Lineup of the 49ers and have them all safely tucked away in bins that are inventoried and numbered.  Thus when the 49ers museum needs anything like say "Joe Montana", I give them my list and they pick from the list of Joe items and another shipment to the museum. Thus, I've done this for them, but for me too.  Happy to see this one finally make it into my collection, who knows, maybe it'll be at the museum as well.  Go Niners !