Rah..Rah..Rah.. Who Needs A Rally Monkey Anyway? GO NINERS ! ! !

1970's & 80's 49ers Hand Puppet cheering fans

Several years back, one of my sisters who lives in Oregon saw something I haven't collected yet and sent it to me.  A 49er fan hand puppet.  I had no idea that something like this existed.  So as I searched around I found that there were various dolls or puppets that cheered. So, I've decided to share a few that I've collected.

1970's Cheering 49er hand puppet

First I have a circa 1970's Red uniform hand puppet.  When I say hand puppet, I mean you slip your hand inside the jersey and two of your fingers slip into a mechanical holster and then you're able to control his hands/arms to reach out and punch, or wave this 49ers pennant.  Some descriptions call these puppets punching puppets, I just reference them as hand puppets, since your hands control them.  Both sides of his helmet has scrapped SF logos, but still obvious he's a 49ers fan.

1980's 49ers Fan Hand Puppet

This 1980's hand puppet has some 49ers font used during the 1984 Superbowl era, so that's why I've dated him in the 80s.  None of these puppets or dolls have any real distinct markings to date them.  This guy has WAY TOO MUCH MAKEUP!.  Blue eye mascara?  Come on.   But you've got to love his turtleneck, awesome dude.

1960's 49er Miner Cheering in the stands

This cherub faced 1960's old miner doll has seen better days, but truly a remarkable find.  He's carrying a small 1960's logo styled pennant (I actually have it's bigger brother hanging on my rafters here in the 49ers den).  He has a hard plastic face with awesome color, for it's age.  Unfortunately, his feet, which look like rolled paper, are probably missing his boots or whatever miners wore in that day.  But still he's part of the mini cheering section in the den.

The 49ers den cheering section

 GO NINERS ! ! ! 

America's Sweetheart 49ers Cheerleader Doll

 I'm not one to have dolls, for most guys a GI Joe was the closest thing we got to a doll, and even then it was known as an "action figure".  I have hundreds of 49er Starting Lineup and McFarlane action figures, but not dolls.

For my collection I made an exception.  I recently saw this America's Sweethearts 49er Cheerleader Doll for sale and thought about the young girls and women that are fans of the 49ers too and thought, "...Ok, you should get it...not everything is guys and hard hitting in football".  So true.  There are beauties on the sideline with cheers ringing out and dances being danced.  So I pay homage to them with this "Doll". 

49ers Cheerleader Doll out of box

As far as dating this doll, I'm figuring 1990's to recent,  due to first, the condition of the doll and box, practically new.  But also the logo had the darker red in the logo which was part of the logo change back in 90's until to 2000's.  This doll comes with a certificate, Pom Poms and keeps her hair very neat with a hair net, odd to see a doll with a hair net, but hey what ever works right?

If anyone reading this has more information, I invite you to send me a text about it and would appreciate it.

So, these are some of the puppets and dolls in my collection.

49ers 1983 Tonka Van and Figures

49ers 1983 Tonka Van and Figure set

Within the last couple of years I came across other collections from guys who collect other teams like the Giants, Bears, etc.  In their collections I noticed they had some toys with their team logo's made by Tonka, which dated back to 1983.  I found out that all the NFL teams had items made by Tonka back then, so I started looking around and eventually collected the two main items that Tonka made back then with each NFL teams logo and colors.

1983 Tonka 49ers Van, player and bench

First, is the 1983 Tonka Van with included a player and bench with opening sunroof and back door.  I found this collection was in great shape, but no original packing.  But still a great find for me.

New (Old) 1983 49ers Tonka "Players" figure and disk

Months later, I found a completely sealed 1983 Tonka NFL "Players" figure with plastic logo disk. Sweet!

I'm glad, now have both to complete the 1983 release of NFL teams Tonka toys.

49ers Vintage 1970's or 80's Metal Signs

Long Metal Vintage 49ers Sign #1

Several years ago, I collected two very heavy metal signs that boasted my Niners.  They were both bought at different times, but had the same weight and odd length to them.  Once we moved into our home with the den, and I saw the top rail that encompassed the room, I knew I had to have at least one up on the rail.  The other one was perfect over the entry of the den, to let other 49er Fans where they were, so I tacked it up right above the dens door entry.

They're both very scratched and definitely used, and at first I thought I would refinish them both, but as I look at them in their worn/used shape, I've decided to keep them as is.  Someone else down the road will probably refurbish them, but not while I'm the curator of this collection. The S.F. 49ers Country sign which is hung over the den entry and measures 36"x5".  The SF 49ers Dr. is up on the rail in the den (thus the little twinkle lights below the sign), and it measures 40"x5".  These are both very heavy signs and had to be extra secured in case of earthquakes.  Both signs are as straight as an arrow, the bow affect is from the camera and the distance I had to get to them in order to get the entire signs in the shot.

Large Metal Vintage 49ers Sign #2