When REA partnered with eBay for an auction in July 2000, this incredible Hillerich & Bradsby advertising display featuring Cobb, Ruth, Collins, Lajoie, Sisler, Gehrig, Wagner, and Speaker was included!
Here’s how they described it:
Stunning large and colorful cardboard store advertising display is one of the most impressive and rarest H&B advertising pieces ever produced. Issued in 1939, in conjunction with Baseball’s 100th anniversary celebration, the colorful cardboard display with easel back features a front view of the then just opened Baseball Hall of Fame bordered by cameo portraits of some of the game’s greatest stars. Pictured are Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Eddie Collins, Nap Lajoie, George Sisler, Lou Gehrig, Honus Wagner and Tris Speaker. One of the two crossed bats at the base of the sign is a Ty Cobb model, the other is a Joe DiMaggio model bat. An illustration of two Greek columns has the year “1839” printed on both bases while the frieze above reads “These Members Of Baseball’s Hall Of Fame Are Also Listed On Louisville Slugger’s Honor Roll.” This is one of only two survivors of this magnificent display piece we have seen offered during the past thirty years. There is a very slight crease in the lower right corner which is mentioned only for the sake of accuracy, otherwise in bright, crisp, clean Near Mint condition. 21 1/2″ x 27 1/2″ Matted and framed.
Heritage sold the following copy for $7,170 in April 2010.
If you want to display a copy but don’t have that kind of money, replicas can be found on eBay for ~$25. Happy collecting!