October 24, 2024: Fall Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/24/2024
We can’t remember offering a complete set of the iconic Hartland Statues Running Backs Series, much less a group in such outstanding, nearly as-issued condition. Hartland’s football answer and complement to its legendary baseball figures, the Running Backs issue features a singular figure for all 14 NFL teams in 1959, with each 8-inch statue painted to match the uniforms of each of the teams. Even more so than with the acclaimed Baseball Series, the colors on the football figures are simply spectacular, vivid and captivating, especially in a pristine array like this that is essentially in Near-Mint condition, with a handful deemed Ex-Mt only because of those pesky, tiny nicks to the delicate decals of players’ numbers. While it’s not the sort of thing we can do ourselves, the lucky winning bidder will even be able to address that minor nuance (if so desired) with a Near-Mint stack of extra decals included in the lot. The figures are handsomely affixed to the elegant 2 ½-by-5-inch base. The grouping constitutes a complete set of 14 plus three extras, noted in the listing. Here’s the breakdown (16): 1) Steelers – Near-Mint, with very slight toning; 2) Cardinals – Ex-Mt, with tiny nicks to numeral on the back; 3) Vikings – Near-Mint, with very slight toning; 4) Lions – Near-Mint, with very slight toning; 5) 49ers (2) – Near-Mint, one with zero toning and the second very slight toning; 6) Colts – Near-Mint with very slight toning; 7) Rams (2) - both Near-Mint, with very slight toning; 8) Browns – Near-Mint, with very slight toning; 9) Bears – Ex-Mt, with barest nicks to the numeral; 10) Giants – Ex-Mt, with barest nicks to the numeral front and back; 11) Packers – Ex-Mt, with barest nicks to the numeral; 12) Cowboys – Ex-Mt, with barest nicks to the numeral; 13) Redskins – Near-Mint, with slight toning; and 14) Eagles (2) – one is Near-Mint with slight toning and the second Ex-Mt with some minor dirt and barest nicks to the numeral. And that’s it, a marvelous offering that isn't likely to be seen again for a while. Don't sit on your hands for this one.
1959-63 Hartland Football Running Backs High-Grade Set, Extra Decals (17)
Click above for larger image.