Thursday, December 20, 2012

An Unusual Bronzed Brooklyn Bum Statue


From time to time I get emails from other collectors about an item they have stored away that they know nothing about.  Oftentimes, I can help out by pointing a collector in the right direction.  Other times, I am just baffled.  The items featured in this post has me baffled.

Shown above is a bronzed statue of the Brooklyn Dodgers mascot- "The Bum."  It looks exactly like the 1940's-1950's version of the "Bum" that was sold as a squeak toy and manufactured by Rempel Enterprises out of Ohio.  See an example of the plastic toy below.

As you can see, it's an exact replica.  According to the owner it is about 7' tall, which corresponds with the height of the Rempel toy.  It also has a flattened portion on the reverse that would have been where the air hole would be.  The toy above is an early 1940's version of the toy and has it's air hole a little lower down its back than the latter 1950's versions.  The owner also tells me it appears to be solid bronze, and not hollow.

Everything about this screams that it may be either a mold used to make the Rempel toy, or a cast made from the toy.  On the other hand, it might be a plastic toy that was bronzed by a previous owner (like how folks use to bronze their infants first shoes).  Although the weight described by the owner (she said it's about the weight of a bag of sugar) seems to point to it being solid.

I dunno.  Like I indicated above, I am stumped.  This is an item I've never seen before, or heard of.  And, I'm hoping a reader might have more insight into this. 

If you know more about it, or would like to contact the owner yourself feel free to do so.  You can reach them at mskoskis at gmail.com.  I know that the owner is also interested in selling it, so if you are interested I suggest writing to them.  I would make a bid myself, but times are tough right now and memorabilia purchases are a "no go" for me right now.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 12/20/2012


Fernando Valenzuela and Santa spread some holiday cheer yesterday at the El Centro Pueblo Holiday Toy Giveaway.  The photo above is by Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012.  See more pics here.
Ultimas Noticias in Venezuela reports that Belisario asked for a personal leave of absence from the team and then did not return when scheduled, at which point they booted him. Belisario claims he returned when scheduled, but still got kicked off the team because he’d been having issues with the general manager.
I'm not sure what to think of this.   Could Belisario just be the unluckiest person alive, or is this all symptomatic of his past (and maybe current) drug problems? I have numerous friends in AA, and I am certain they would say the latter.
  • Listen to Don Mattingly on AM570 Dodger Talk.
  • Steve Sax is now a coach.  The Diamondbacks just signed him to be their 1st Base coach.
(tweet link)


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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Lelands: Jackie, Campy and the 1952 Dodgers

Yesterday, I had written about Don Newcombe's MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year Awards being for sale at Lelands.  Today, I feature a handful of other Dodgers related memorabilia items available on auction at Lelands.  Check them out below.

Below is a game-used 1950 Dodgers jersey of Jackie Robinson.  With a little over a day left to go it is already up to $172,613.58.  That's a lot of change.
(Auction Link)

Lelands also has a 1950 Dodgers game-used jersey of Roy Campanella.  It is currently at $53,589.71.
(Auction Link)

This next item would just look great on my wall.  Unfortunately, I'm a little short on cash.  Below is a huge panoramic photograph of the 1952 Dodgers- it is 4 feet long.  There are 41 folks in the photo in all, and it includes some of the more famous names to ever put on a Dodgers uniform.  On top of that, it has been signed by every player, and is reported to have once resided in the personal collection of Duke Snider, himself.  It currently sits at $1,331.00.
(Auction Link)
 

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Collection: Edwin Jackson 2004 Skybox Autographics


I've mentioned numerous times how much I liked this kid when he first came up to the Dodgers in 2003.  I had thought we were on the verge of witnessing a star in the making.  Unfortunately, my expectations were too high.  Instead, he's become a decent middle of the rotation starter who has been unable to find a stable home.  Over the past 5 season Edwin has played on 6 different teams via 5 separate trades, and that doesn't even include the team he started out with - the Dodgers.  Either he is highly desirable, or easily disposable. 

Well, right now he is a free agent and figures on joining a new team, once again.  This time, though, it appears a long-term deal is in the works.  According to the latest rumors shared at MLB Trade Rumors, he is favored to join the Cubs with a 4-year contract in hand.  Hopefully, he can settle in and thrive in Chicago, but something tells me he's likely to be trade fodder later on down the road.

Featured here is a 2004 Fleer Skybox Autographics signed card of Edwin Jackson in my collection.

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Dodgers Mall Tour with Landreaux and Leary

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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This figures on being the last leg of the Dodgers 2012 Holidays Mall Tour in Southern California.  Go here for more information.  This coming Saturday, December 22th, Kenny Landreaux and pitcher Tim Leary will be at the Del Amo Fashion Center to meet with fans and sign free autographs.  Below is the announced schedule. BTW, any fan who purchases a mini-plan on this day at the Dodgers booth will receive an autographed Fernando Valenzuela Baseball.
Del Amo Fashion Center*
3525 W. Carson St
Torrance, CA 90503
Saturday, December 22
10am-6pm
Kenny Landreaux (1pm-3pm)
Tim Leary (3pm-5pm)


* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *