The TRUTH be told... The 1961 Sears All-Star Football Catalog

49er's Sears 1961 All star Catalog

Ok, this is pretty cool.  I don't own this (I saw this too late on Ebay, but wouldn't have bought it for the price it sold for) but, it's content is what the "Cool" part is.  I love finding out about the history of a 49er item (memorabilia) that I've bought.  Some of the important things I like to figure out about each item is;

1. The Date.
2. The Manufacture.
3. Was it sold as part of a set? 
4. What did it first sell for?
5. And, any additional detail.

So, when I saw this little catalog, I felt I uncovered the Holy Grail of information about a few of the collector pieces I have in my collection.  

The football Uniform

Inside the 49ers 1961 Sears All Star Catalog - Pages 1-4

As a kid growing up, as soon as I was hooked watching the 49ers every Sunday morning, I wanted to be like my football heroes; John Brodie, Gene Washington, Dave Wilcox, etc..., and I wanted a full uniform like they had.  Every Christmas a 49ers Uniform was on my Christmas list.  I wanted the entire set, the Helmet with the SF logo, the shoulder pads, pants and shoes and of course a Jersey with the number 12.  

I never received a uniform because my mom was the sole provider for 7 kids, but as an adult I now have a full uniform set just like in the ads above, I'll share that in future posts.  But, it's so great to see the uniforms and other clothing from that era.  

I LOVE the sweatshirt shown on the 2nd page in the center section. I especially love the classic "Shootin' 49er" logo they used on those sweatshirts.  I want one of those.

I would also go for the jacket on page 3.  That kid looks like a lineman from the 60's too. 

The 49er Bobber & The Roko Doll

49er's Sears 1961 All star Catalog - Bobbleheads & Roko Doll

I have several Bobblehead figures, but I love how the bobble on the left side sold for what looks to be $1.99, oh bring back those days. 

In seeing this catalog I was shocked to see a few items that they sold at Sears, like the doll on the right side, known as a Roko Doll by Columbia Toy Products. 

1961 Roko (Gund) Doll from Columbia Toy Products

Close Up of the 1961 Roko (Gund) Doll 49ers emblem

First I was shocked by the $3.95 price..."OH I WISH", these dolls in the pristine shape of my guy go into the hundreds.  I have 3 of these, but only this one is in the great shape and with the 49ers "Shootin' 49er" logo like the rest of the 1961 catalog items.  Also, the back of his neck has the date stamp so I knew he was a product from 1961 before I looked at the catalog.

The Fred Kail Statues

49er's Sears 1961 All star Catalog - Fred Kail Statues

One of those items I was shocked to see in the catalog was the Fred Kail statues.  If you're a sports collector you know the story and cost of these statues.  Look at the price these originally sold for...WOW!  Plus, I didn't know they had cutesy names like "Big Joe Jolter" and "Big Bruce Bruiser" for the 10" high figures and "Little" in the name for the 5" high figures.  Pretty cool.  Boy, if I knew back then what I know now, I would have bought Kail Statues as an investment.

I would love to find the original Thermos picnic kit on the left side and the binocular set.  How cool that would be, but I haven't seen anything like it before.

The Weico & Hedy Glassware

49er's Sears 1961 All star Catalog - Weico & Hedy Glassware

The part I was most intrigued with was this page from the catalog.  I have both of these items in my collection.  The Weico 49ers ceramic stadium ashtray is a standard collector piece (I think I have two) and again I love the original price, $3.98

But the true kicker was to see the "Ashtray" and a "Martini Set" for sale in a boys catalog, REALLY!... Classic!  

New Info: I didn't realize that this Hedy set from Daycor, Inc. was a Martini set.  I have a collection started and I'm missing pieces to it.  And from the ad in the catalog, now I realize I'm missing another piece, a metal football shaped swizzle stick/stirrer.

1960's Hedy Glassware collection

1960's Hedy shot glass collection sizes

So the collection of the Daycor, Inc. distributed,  Martini Set designed by Hedy should now consist of;

9 3/4" Carafe
9" Flask with plastic/metal handle Metal football shaped swizzle stick/stirrer

5" Round Glass Ice Bucket
Large Whiskey Glass - 4"
Medium Whiskey Glass - 3.5"
Small Shot Glass - 3"
Mini Shot Glass - 2 3/8"
5.5" Drinking Glass - Tumbler
4"x4"Ashtray w/ dual football shaped metal cigarette holder
6"x6" Candy dish - Single
6"x12" Candy tray - Double
8"x8" Snack plate - Single
8"x16" Double Snack tray - Double
10 3/4" Large plate - Single
10 3/4"x21 1/4" Double Large tray - Double

Man, I hope this is it.  I'm feeling like a hamster in a spinning wheel, the closer I think I'm getting in completing this collection, the more I find I'm missing more pieces...uggghhhh!  This is a true challenge.

The Sears 1961 All Star Catalog - OPPS!

I am stunned that Sears didn't put one of it's own NFL products into the catalog though.

1961 Sears-Roebuck San Francisco Team NFL Helmet Display

Sears sold these helmet displays (in back of the bobbles, plates & balls) for each NFL team and this is dated and noted to be a Sears-Roebuck product in the back.  I'm sure they caught the problem for the 1962 catalog.   

Still it so fun looking into the past Niner collectables.  
 

Go Niners ! ! !

1961 Columbia Toy Products ROKO 49ers Dolls

Twin 1961 49er ROKO Dolls

These are 1961 ROKO 49er Dolls 

Some folks call these "Gund" dolls as well, but I'm not sure if they're Gund.

I don't know much about these dolls other than the obvious things. They're constructed of hard rubber heads and hands with plush fuzzy material for the torso and any other parts with color. And there is canvas type material for the legs and shoe area. The colors of the helmets are the early 1960's Silver with red stripes and no SF logo yet, that came in 1962.

CU of Roko Doll 49ers Shield

There's supposed to be a NFL Team shield on the chest of each doll, one has the 49er's shield but it's really faded and hand sewn to keep it from falling off.  The material of the shield is super fine cotton material.  It's hard to see, but there's the classic 1960s shooting 49er with '49'ers' in bold lettering over him.

1961 & Roko head sta

At the back of the rubber head or neck area it's been stamped with "1961" and below that "ROKO".  Thus the ROKO name I've given it.  Now if this is a "Gund" I would love to hear from anyone about that information, but until then, it's a "ROKO" to me.

(this is the best picture I could take of the stamp)

Columbia Toy Products tag on the 1961 Roko 49ers doll

 There's a product tag on the side of the each doll that reads "Columbia Toy Products" the other side is so faded, I couldn't read it.  There's not much history to read up on them, other than they made all the NFL teams dolls and other character dolls like Popeye and such, so they must have done this for a while during the 60's.

UPDATE: August 1, 2013
 I was able to purchase a 3rd Roko Doll, in near perfect shape and shocked at the condition of this 52 and a half year old doll.  It's amazing it still has this much detail.  I'll for sure be sending this one up to San Francisco for the new museum.  I would say that this is a true HARD TO FIND collectable.

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

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.

1950's or 1960's Vintage 49ers Lights

It being the 4th of July, I figured it would be appropriate to write about my lights...not firework lights, but 49er lights.  Over the years I've been looking for those "Odd" and vintage 49ers items.  Through my searches, I came across two odd looking lights.

The first light is a 8.5"x11" metal framed "Kezar Stadium".  As any well versed 49ers fan knows, Kezar Stadium was the first stadium of the 49ers until 1971 when the 49ers moved to Candlestick Park.  But I'm rather suspect of this light because the encasement seems to be of rather new metal, but the design of the "Kezar Stadium" front is the 1960's style "Shootin' 49ers Guy".  So, I picked it up anyway, because of it's odd style.

Rare metal framed 49ers Kezar Light

The other light is probably from the 1950's.  It measures 8"x 10"  and has a heavy base, with the base graphics saying "Go, Go, Go 49'ers!" and a 49ers player in a silver helmet.  It has an thumb-wheel switch that turns on the light in the base and a center metal post which slowly spins around.  There was nothing attached to the metal post. I figured at one point it was one of those rotating beer signs, but the sign doesn't have evidence that anything was attached.  So I decided to attach two of my older mini pennants to the post.  Now the pennants slowly rotate around.  First the yellow then the red and so on.

1950's 49ers Advertising Lamp

Another reason I strongly believe this is a 1950's advertising sign/lamp is because the players helmet is what the Niners helmets looked like back in 1955 or so. I'm pretty certain that this is from that mid-1950's period. Regardless, I love these odd little 49ers lamps, old or not.   

MY SHRINE ! ? ! ? ! Ok, I guess it really is a shrine.

In 2011 I had an extended TV package with Directv and was able to watch the San Francisco broadcast's of Niner reports, etc.  I saw a contest on 49ers Total Access called "49er Faithful Live Here" and thought I'd enter, even though I live in the LA area and not up north in the Bay area.  Sure enough,  my room caught the attention of the folks running the contest and we made arrangements to have a video recorded and sent up north to help make promos and commercials for the contest.  I didn't win because of a technicality, I didn't "...live in the bay area", but I got this special recognition of my Niners Den and 10 tickets to a game, which my family and I drove up to Candlestick and watched.  Great seats and a great time enjoying my team, The Niners.

Rare Copper or Brass early 1960's 49ers Wall hangings

Mounted up on the top corner of the rail that goes all around my den, I have two metal wall hangings made of either copper of brass, I think they're copper.  They both have embossed or raised insignias of the NFL, and then the 49ers logo on a football. One has the "Shootin' 49er" guy used on promo items from the late 50's to the early 60's. The other has just the SF on the helmet. They measure 20"x16" each.  Where exposed metal isn't, it's painted with a flat black paint.  At first glance you think these were handmade, but once I had purchased them, I noticed one or two on Ebay, so they must have been produced via a limited run...but very RARE.  I love the detail of both of these. Now because the Niners SF logo wasn't used on their helmets until 1962, these are probably from 1962 thru 1966.  Just a guess though.

Top angled corner of my 49ers Den - Bronze Artwork

I was told that they were given to players in the early 60's as an appreciation type gift.  They both had old cheap wooden-ed frames on them but since the frames were falling apart, I took them off.  I could get more robust frames later when I want to.  I love these two pieces because their odd and I love the old, odd 49er stuff and these definitely fit the bill.

Bronze 1950's - 1960's 49er Art

Bronze 1960's 49ers Artwork

My entire 49ers collection will be listed !

You'll see this License Plate in the LA area

I have amassed a extremely large collection of 49ers memorabilia and as I've mentioned before, I'm going to list and put it up on this blog. I've been busy, but now, I'm going to try to begin listing it.  I'm doing this primarily because I want to see a full inventory and what a better way to piece out what I have than to list it, item by item with pictures on my blog.  I'm inspired by a New York Giants fan, who had died and his buddies listed his entire "Museum" on-line so others can see what collectables this guy had gathered.  It's a true testament of a devoted fan and his team, thus, I'll be doing the same thing but with my collection of the glorious...San Francisco, 49ers !  Let's start with my California License Plate.  Several people ask me as I drive around the Los Angeles area, "What does your plate say?"  Once you read the license plate frame, you should be able to understand it. But this simply says how I feel..."Love The 49ers", always have since the days of my heroes John Brodie and Gene Washington and every year since until they plug me in the ground. GO NINERS ! ! !

Why The Blog?

As an young boy growing up in Oregon, whose father died at the age of 5, being raised by a drug and alcohol addicted mother trying to care for 6 other siblings, I found myself wanting to be lost in something that would temporarily take me away from the chaos of life.  Football became that getaway.

One typical misty Sunday fall day in Woodburn Oregon, I wanted to play some football with a friend up the street, Dennis Canady.  I knocked on his door and heard the constant crowd drone from the TV, it was a football game.  Dennis wanted to go outside, but laid on the floor, hands holding his cheeks and was glued to the TV watching "his team", the Vikings.  I asked who was playing and Dennis said, the "Vikings and the Niners", I questioned, "...the Niners? who are they?" Dennis mumbled "Oh, there not that good...it's a team called the 49ers, you know like gold miners from the 1800's, they're from San Francisco"  

That was 1967.  I like there Gold and Red uniforms, Red was always my favorite color plus, I liked the guy with the #12 on his uniform, 12 was my favorite number. So, I decided to cheer for that underdog team.  

As the game played on and I cheered for that Red and Gold team with the cool looking SF on their helmets and that #12 guy, Dennis was getting angrier and angrier.  See, that team that wasn't "...that good", won the game 27 to 21 on the road, in Minnesota.  Dennis was PISSED !  The rest of the afternoon our football play was really rough, Dennis was taking out the loss on me.

At sunset I went home and told my mom about the game, the team the colors and that they were from San Francisco.  She said, "I grew up in the 'Bay' area, I loved that area, you would love it too".

From that date forth, I became a DIEHARD 49er Fan.  Through the good, bad and sometimes awful times.  Remaining Red and Gold thru and thru.  I eventually became familiar with the names like #12 (John Brodie), Parks, Willard, Crow, Nunley and as time passed...Washington, Wilcox and the list grew and grew throughout the years.  Now as I live in Los Angeles, even my kids and now their kids are growing up Niner Fans.  Not to miss quote the Bible, I'm a true Christian man, but I'm reminded in Proverbs, 22:6 "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.  And I know that applies in other aspects, but it also applies to the Niners in my household.

It's a little quirky why someone would like a team because of their colors, a number and a city you don't even live near, but hey that's the reason for my collection and passion.  The Niners.