Dodgers Blue Heaven: Legendary Auctions: Wilber "Uncle Robbie" Robinson and Some Vintage Dodgers Cartoons

Monday, November 19, 2012

Legendary Auctions: Wilber "Uncle Robbie" Robinson and Some Vintage Dodgers Cartoons

Legendary Auction is running their last auction of the year, and it (as always) includes some great vintage material.

Check out this 1894 N142 Duke's Honest Tobacco Cabinet card of former Dodgers manager Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson as a player for the Baltimore Orioles of the National League. You just gotta love that 'stache on him. He was a hipster before there were hipsters.

Uncle Robbie was a beloved Brooklyn manager. He was so loved, in fact, that fans started calling the team the "Robins" in his honor.

The card measures 6" x 9" and starts with an opening bid of $1,500.00

(auction link)

Leo O'Mealia is a famous cartoonist known more for his artwork at Action Comics and Detective Comics in the 1930's. He started out as a political cartoonist for the Rochester Herald in 1907. Then transitioned to sports cartoons in 1912 for the New York Journal. Soon, he started to draw for comic books in the 1930's, and then returned to sports editorial cartoons for the Daily News in 1943. He was known as "Leo the Lion " since he signed his artwork with "By Leo" and drew a small lion by it.

In this auction item there are two pieces focused on the Brooklyn Dodgers. The below cartoon has to do with the Brooklyn borough's love for Leo Durocher. Click on any pic to embiggen.

(auction link)

I don't think this "Leo the Lion" drawing below needs much of a description. I will note that a little lion is clearly present on the bottom right (near the base of the wine glass).

(auction link)

And of course, I couldn't go without showing a Willard Mulling drawing. I'll let the auction description go from here:

Originally bellowed as a derisive term to describe the once-woeful Brooklyn Dodgers, the infamous "Bums" moniker was artfully brought to life for decades to follow by renowned cartoonist Willard Mullin. In this cartoon, the beloved "Bum" is depicted in a thoughtful mood as he prepares - by swinging hard and ostentatiously missing the ball - to get "in shape" for an upcoming season. The original 12" x 19", black-and-white drawing is complete with editorial markings and, of course, Mullin's patented linear signature.