1960s Fred Kail “Joe Jolter” Large Standing Lineman Custom Piggy Banks (16)

Presented is an outstanding array of the iconic Fred Kail Large Standing Lineman Piggy Banks, the famous “Joe Jolter” creation that featured a cartoonish interpretation with exaggerated facial features and shoulder pads adorning an ill-fitting but endearing uniform. These Piggy Bank Series figures are the customized versions used to promote actual banks or other entities around the country, with the bank name appearing at the front of the base and the team colors of any number of local high school, college or semipro ball clubs. The genre yields perhaps the most colorful and eclectic presentation of the fabled “Joe Jolter” figures, with fascinating colors and uniform designs and a unique patina from such a diverse group. 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 appearing 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 he 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 10-inch figures feature the 2 5/8-by-3 7/8-inch base with decals at the front typically promoting a local bank, college or high school, along with some other charming local entities like clubs, etc.; the large group presents in outstanding fashion, typically Ex-Mt or better, with some qualifiers noted in the listing. Here’s the breakdown Large Standing Lineman Custom Banks (16): 1) Lamphier High School, Illinois National Bank, with tiny nicks to the number decals; 2) Wildcats, the Commercial Bank of Delphos, Ohio, with tiny nicks to the number decals and back of neck; 3) Tomcats of East Aurora High School, Federal Savings – no issues; 4) Bank of Nutley – with slot nicks; 5) Cody’s V.C. All-American – particularly striking figure, with charming customized dirt and grass stains on the uniform, tiny helmet and slot nicks; 6) Augusta Quarterback Club 1932 – front decal number and jersey nicks; 7) Beatrice High School Orangemen – jersey and decal number nicks; 8) Griffin High School Cyclones – jersey and pants nicks, notable slot nicks; 9) Riverview Rams, Sarasota Federal Savings & Loan – chin and shoe nicks, notable jersey and slot nicks; 10) Thornton Wildcats, First National Bank in Harvey, tiny nicks to jersey, pants, helmet, socks and decal Nos.; 11) People’s Bank of Auburndale Florida – barest nicks to jersey and decal Nos.; 12) Lincoln Northeast High School, Citizen’s State Bank of Lincoln, Nebraska – superb condition, with barest nick to the back number decal; 13) American National Bank FDIC – with no slot nicks but notable nicks to front number and shoulder number decals; 14) Las Vegas Pirates, Bellmead State Bank of Waco, Texas – damaged with repaired porcelain in a couple of places, extensive chips to jersey and helmet; 15) Miners National Bank with Six Neighborhood Offices – extensive nicks to helmet and stripes and lesser nicks to jersey and one shoulder decal; and 16) Blue Streak, Peoples State Bank of Archbold, Ohio – superb figure without issues.