1960s Fred Kail “Bruce Bruiser” Large Down Lineman Figures (9)

Presented is an exceptional array of the iconic Fred Kail Large Down Lineman figures, the famous “Bruce Bruiser” 6-inch creations in a three-point stance 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 an uncommonly large group 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 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 6-inch high-by-5 inch in length pieces presents in outstanding fashion, typically Ex-Mt or better, with some qualifiers noted in the listing. Here’s the breakdown Large Down Lineman (9): 1) Lions – light nicks to shoes and number decal on sleeve; 2) Vikings – notable nicks to jersey and barest nick to one sleeve decal number; 3) Packers – superb piece presents as Near-Mint with brilliant colors and gloss, tiny nick to top of helmet; 4) Packers – nicks to jersey, hands, helmet and shoes; 5) Rams – another seemingly Near-Mint blazer, with some chips to jersey and sleeve stripes; 6) Colts – nicks to jersey, helmet stripe, shoes, socks and hand; 7) Cardinals – presents as outstanding Near-Mint piece, with barest chips jersey and one helmet decal; 8) Browns – barest nicks to helmet, back number decal and knuckle; and 9) Bears – notable chip to jersey, lesser to helmet, hands, shoes and number decals.