1960s Fred Kail “Joe Jolter” Large Standing Lineman Figures (11)

Presented is a stunning array of the iconic Fred Kail Large Standing Lineman figures, the famous “Joe Jolter” creation that featured a cartoonish interpretation with exaggerated facial features and shoulder pads adorning an ill-fitting but endearing uniform. Typically offered as individual pieces, the offered group presents a rare opportunity to pick up what is nearly a complete set of the beloved figures. The Maryland native Kail launched his unlikely vocation with pieces dressed as his hometown Baltimore Colts, with legend coyly suggesting that Hall of Fame lineman Art Donovan and his decidedly unathletic physique might be the inspiration for the design. Kail started selling the pieces at Memorial Stadium, eventually becoming so popular that the line was expanded to include other NFL teams and Kail signed an agreement to have the ceramic figures produced in Japan. Ultimately, the Kail figures would lay claim to being the first officially licensed NFL product in 1961. The roster of figures included the 10-inch “Joe Jolter” Large Standing Lineman, a 5 ½-inch Small Standing Lineman, Large Down Lineman “Bruce Bruiser” (6 inches wide and tall), a 3 ½-inch Small Down Lineman and the Large Stadium Ashtray. The figures feature a 2 5/8-by-3 7/8-inch base with NFL Team Name decals at the front; the group presents in outstanding fashion, typically Ex-Mt or better, with some qualifiers noted in the listing. Here’s the breakdown Large Standing Lineman (11): 1) Packers – light chipping at the neck and tiny nicks to the decal Nos.; 2) Eagles – barest nicks to the decal Nos.; 3) Browns – barest nicks to the decal Nos.; 4) Colts – green-felt padding is Fair, nicks to one shoulder numerals; 5) Redskins – tiny nicks to neck, helmet, jersey, sock, knuckle and decal Nos.; 6) Rams – tiny nicks to helmet, jersey, sock and decal Nos.; 7) Cardinals – tiniest nicks to knuckle and shoe; 8) Vikings – tiny nicks to helmet, jersey, shoe and decal Nos.; 9) 49ers – chipping to helmet, jersey and shoes and tinier nicks to the football and decal Nos.; 10) Redskins – notable chips to the decal number on the front and smaller nicks to helmet, jersey and felt base; and 11) Rams – (decanter) nicks to arm stripes, base decal and decal Nos.