October Legends Closing October 29
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2016
This vintage Coca-Cola advertising sign is unusual in that it pictures only black male athletes of the 1950's. It is obvious that for the 1950's, this sign was part of a limited marketing plan to reach Americans of color and they were only displayed in black neighborhood retail establishments such as the old luncheonettes. Very few were ever produced. As a result, any surviving example is a true rarity. Most collectors, both of Coke items and of football memorabilia, have little idea that choice pieces like this even exist. To make a desirable rarity all the more so, all four men pictured were pioneers in the integration of America's professional gridirons, and all four went on to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. Marion Motley, Bill Willis, Emlen Tunnell, and Leonard Ford are all pictured smiling for the camera, holding a bottle of their favorite soft drink. The four figures are pictured against a red background, with a curling yellow banner below that holds their names, positions, and a short explanation of their importance to the game. Measuring the extreme area of the sign's crossbars, we see that it is 39-3/4" x 24-1/4" in size (some wear on the edges and raised areas, plus a general bronzing of the golden finish). The cardstock graphic insert for the sign measures 36" x 20". A number of cracks and light, thin lines of superficial abrasion appear on the surface. A couple of these imperfections display vintage cello tape repairs, but the center graphic area remains largely untouched. The piece is still housed in its original intended-store-use frame. Back stampings display the names of both the Coca-Cola and Kay Display companies. How many of these could possibly still survive? This may just be it. It's the real thing.