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 Joe Montana Pin Collection

Since Joe Montana burst onto the scene for the 49ers, I've been collecting anything to do with him.  I started with his cards, pins, figures, etc.  I love that guy.  (In a man-crush type way only)  He's the one that carried out the General's (Coach Bill Walsh) orders.  He brought so much life and belief to this team that he WILLED that team to it's first ever World Championship - Super Bowl XVI (and some talent).  

I remember telling my brother after the first game of the 1980 season, to watch the Niners.  "...our quarterback, Joe Montana..., this guy is unbelievable...he's going to get us our first ring".  Sure enough after winning the playoff game against the much dreaded Cowboys, my phone rang and it was my twin brother, this time congratulating me on my prediction and wishing the team all the best during the Super Bowl.

Ever since that first Super Bowl, Niner fans have witness greatness as a team to recon with.  All thanks to so many people, but in particular, Joe Montana who started the whole thing off.

49ers Joe Montana Pin Collection

I've collected various pins of Joe's and thought I should put them in a shadow box and as the collection grows, I had room to grow because the the vast size of the box.  Here's the current collection of Joe pins.  Some are variants of the same pin, just smaller or larger, or a different material, etc...

Joe Montana Pins Close Up-Top

Thanks Joe for the awesome memories...and may our current team and coach Harbaugh bring us those happy years back.                                     GO NINERS ! ! !

Joe Montana Pins Close Up-Bottom

(My postings will be paused for a couple of weeks, Vacation calls)

Autographed 49ers Jerry Rice commemorative 127 Touchdowns Football

Since I've been publishing some of the older stuff I have, I decided to change it up and display a newer piece.  My autographed commemorative 127 Touchdowns Football.  The ball as stats of Jerry's record breaking game against the Oakland Raiders back in 1994. It comes with a small metal plate on the base of the football Tee that holds the football.  I've got many Jerry Rice autographed items, but this one stands out because of the stats and the graphics on the ball.  A true must for any 49er, Jerry Rice or Historical Football fan.

Autographed 49ers Jerry Rice 127 TD's Commemorative Football

Vintage 1983 Tudor Games, QB’s Of The NFL Figure – 49ers Joe Montana

 Back in 1983 Tudor Games released a little figurine for each football team in the NFL.  These figurines were of the various quarterbacks in the league, for that time of the early 80's.  Seeing that in 1981, just 2 years earlier, the 49ers won their 1^st NFL Championship, the 3.5” 49er figure of Joe Montana was and still is a hot commodity.  

Vintage 1983 Tudor Games 49ers Joe Montana Figure

 I recently acquired this figure for a fair price.  The figure is new and still in it’s original packaging, a major plus.  Most of these figures are loose because kids would take them out and play with them.  So, they’re scarce to still be in the original package like this one.  Also, I just noticed, while shooting the picture for this blog, that the package isn’t 100% flawless.  I noticed that there’s sizable notch on the side of the package, but I’m still glad I’ve got it.  A rare and hard to find figure regardless.

Rare 1974 Tudor 49ers Strategy Jr. Football Game – NEW

Tudor Games has made a few items that I’ve collected these past several years.  

Rare 1974 Tudor Games 49ers "NFL Strategy Jr." Board Game - NEW

The Game, “Strategy Jr.” is a football board game that Tudor made and is up-to-date with the most recent “1974 NFL Rules Changes”, cool I need those new rule changes.  (I'd love to compare them to 2012 rules changes).

The first reason I bought the game was because my hero, John Brodie, was on the cover.  Then once I received it, I realized that it was still in it’s original shrink wrap with 3 different price tags on it. I guess it wasn't a quick seller.

Now, I’m glad I bought it, I love the look and that fact that it’s NEW old stock, very cool.

1960’s 49ers Hartland Lineman and Running Back Figures

Hartland figures in MINT condition can fetch a pretty penny.  Even restoration carries a hefty price, but as for me, I wanted some, but wanted mine to be different.  So…

Vintage 1960's Hartland 49ers Lineman & Running Back Figures

 

The first two figures I bought were older and without a stand for each,  no numbers stenciled on, yet I loved the fact that they were both so rustic.  I had a stand of a football field from one of my larger McFarlane Figures (I’ll be writing later about the TON of 49ers McFarlane's I have) that had already been opened.  So, I customized the field to have a lineman in the front, making room for the running back coming down field with the “Rock”.

My second running back (seen in the front right of the picture) was a great pick up.  It’s in much better shape than the first two, but is without a stand as well.  It's something I’ll eventually get.  I love these figures because of the age, the classic late 50’s early 60’s uniform looks and the Vintage style of all three together.

 

Recently, (June 2023), I found a Hartland figure complete for a very reasonable price, so I picked it up to add to the collection.  Outside of vintage dust on his stand, he's in great shape.  Love these figures for the historical value.

Vintage 49'ers Linebacker figure

 

 

1950's - 1960's 49ers Vintage Stadium Blanket

Rare 1950's or 1960's Vintage 49ers Pendleton Stadium Blanket

Three years ago I saw a posting for this Vintage 49ers stadium blanket and no one else was interested in it.  I immediately picked it up and loved the fact that it has the old "Shootin' 49er Guy" and it was sealed away in this plastic zipper pouch.  Plus, it has a heavy duty vinyl seat cushion that comes stuffed in the middle of the blanket.  Even though it's a stadium blanket, I love the Pendleton tag on the side of the blanket that says, "Robe In A Bag".  The colors on the big emblem in the middle are bright and vibrant.  The NFL logos are missing fine detail, but other than that it's an awesome piece and in great shape for it's age.

Vintage Early 1960's 49ers Johnny Hero Uniform

Vintage 1960's 49ers Johnny Hero Uniform (1 in package one on a 60's GI Joe)

I've collected 3 of these 1960's Johnny Hero uniforms in their original packaging.  I took one out and put it on a 1960's GI Joe figure, cuz that was what they were made to go onto.  These uniforms came complete with the following;

1 - Uniform Jersey (Team colors)
1 - Team Logo'd helmet
1 - Uniform pants (Team colors)
1 pair sock liners
1 pair socks (Team colors)
1 pair cleats
1 football (hard plastic)

Now for some reason we all called these Johnny Hero, yet the packaging clearly says "Olympic Hero", go figure.

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.