1960s Fred Kail “Joe Jolter” Small Standing Lineman Figures (9)

Presented is an imposing array of the iconic Fred Kail Small Standing Lineman figures, the famous “Joe Jolter” 3 ½-inch square creations that featured a cartoonish interpretation with exaggerated facial features and shoulder pads adorning an ill-fitting but endearing uniform. This grouping has a bit of duplication, with five different clubs represented in nine 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 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 offered group of 5 ½-inch pieces presents nicely, typically Excellent or better, with some qualifiers noted in the listing. Here’s the breakdown Small Standing Lineman (9): 1) Cardinals – neck has a crack, and chips to football, shoe and decal Nos.; 2) Cardinals – nicks to shoes, football, strap and decal Nos.; 3) Cardinals – significant nicks to decal numbers, lesser nicks to jersey, shoes and football; 4) Packers – significant nicks to front decal numbers and lesser to helmet decals; 5) Packers – significant nicks to front and shoulder decal numbers, lesser to jersey and helmet; 6) Vikings – nicks to jersey and decal Nos.; 7) Vikings – significant nicks to decal Nos.; 8) Lions – significant nicks to decal numbers and no team decal on base; and 9) 49ers – significant nicks to the decal numbers and lesser nicks to jersey, helmet and stripes.