Vintage white baseball figurines - what are these? Willie Mays +

airjoedan

Hey guys, I need some help figuring out what these are and who produced them - also, how old are they? I have a friend who has had these for years and assumes they are from the early 60's or something from when he was young but doesn't quite remember. There are no markings on the figures as to the maker - the players he has are as follows: Gran Hamner, Ted Kluszewski, Early Wynn, Smoky Burgess, Willie Mays, Ernie Banks, Hank Thompson, Don Mueller, Ray Boone, Richie Ashburn and Don Newcombe (as per the list he sent me). He may be wrong on the age he says and where he got them. So - what are they? Estimated value? I really have no idea what these are... thanks for the help!

Here is the photo he sent me:

HeritageAddict

I think maybe a Dairy Queen giveaway.

GooshA

don't think Willie would have allowed a 'white' connotation. He's a hater. I think you made those figurines from the play-do series molds from '67. Continue on though, could actually be very valuable.

HeritageAddict

From the SCD website.

"1955 Dairy Queen Statues
In 1955, Dairy Queen released a set of 18 miniature baseball players. These 3½-inch statues were made of white plastic and featured a player in an action pose. The Mickey Mantle statue showed him bunting left-handed. The players name was located at the bottom of a white base. Some of the other players included in the set were Willie Mays, Duke Snider, Yogi Berra, Stan Musial, Gil Hodges and Roy Campanella. One common problem is that the bats that the players were holding would break off. A complete unbroken Mantle is worth about $150-$200."

Stone193

I'm gonna give another suggestion...

These are the 1955 Robert Gould Statues - and based on the players listed - the Dairy Queens don't match.

Plus, to my knowledge, the DQs have square bases while the RGs are rounded.

Here's a listing for the Mays statue for sale - listed as Robert Gould Statue:



Moreover, there's no Mays, Banks or Thompson in the DQ checklist I believe.

1955 Robert Gould Statues checklist:
1 Willie Mays
2 Gus Zernial
3 Red Schoendienst
4 Chico Carrasquel
5 Jim Hegan
6 Curt Simmons
7 Bob Porterfield
8 Jim Busby
9 Don Mueller
10 Ted Kluszewski
11 Ray Boone
12 Smoky Burgess
13 Bob Rush
14 Early Wynn
15 Bill Bruton
16 Gus Bell
17 Jim Finigan
18 Granny Hamner
19 Hank Thompson
20 Joe Coleman
21 Don Newcombe
22 Richie Ashburn
23 Bobby Thomson
24 Sid Gordon
25 Gerry Coleman
26 Ernie Banks
27 Billy Pierce
28 Mel Parnell

HoofHearted

<< <i>I'm gonna give another suggestion...

These are the 1955 Robert Gould Statues - and based on the players listed - the Dairy Queens don't match.

Plus, to my knowledge, the DQs have square bases while the RGs are rounded.

Moreover, there's no Mays, Banks or Thompson in the DQ checklist I believe.
>>



Great info, Mike! Thanks for taking the time to dig this up and share it!

Stone193

Hi Mike - thanx.

BTW - a Mays sold on ebay - just checked - for 125$ - could not tell the true condition.

The one posted here is in OK condition - and with a little mild soap - may clean up - and look way better.

These statues are hard to come by - but the cards that came with them are even more scarce and kind of pricey:



If someone is a VCP member, they can look up the values of graded cards sold.

HeritageAddict

Good post Mike, I was pretty much guessing.

Stone193

I'd like to add to the discussion with a piece of ephemera that sheds light on the distribution of these statues:





As one can see - if ya send in 2 wrappers from Baby Ruth or Butterfingers, one can select from four series of the statues for 50 cents - which was quite a bit of money for a kid back in '55.

Also, and this is conjecture - the popularity of A to D series may affect the 'selection' of one and may provide anecdotal evidence to the current availability of certain statues?