PENNANT FACTORY
Homemade pennants inspired by designs of the past
|
Above: Close-ups of Chipenco's mascot depictions. Note that the bulldog and tiger were each illustrated wearing so-called "freshman caps" bearing the initials of their schools, a common practice of the day to ease with recognition. | In my research for the above projects, I came across a wonderful mascot banner originally made by Chipenco intended for sale at Yale University. Its artwork featured an angry bulldog chasing a panic-stricken pilgrim; followed by a fleeing tiger. Of course, the bulldog represented Yale's mascot; the pilgrim signified Harvard University's first benefactor and current mascot, John Harvard; and the tiger stood-in for Princeton University's mascot. When viewed as one scene, the artwork was intended to portray Yale's superiority over its two biggest rival schools--in a light-hearted and rather amusing way. The design was an instant classic. How could it not be, right? Chipenco first produced this banner in the late 1950s. By 1979, when the company was about to close for good, they were still making it, more than twenty years later! That's a helluva run for felt novelty item; but, when your artwork is golden, no need to change a thing. As with other Chipenco mascot banners of the day, this banner was a premium item printed with flocked graphics on real wool felt. Accordingly, it was likely sold at higher end retail establishments in New Haven, most notably: the campus bookstore. |
Top: Bill McClanahan's signature as it appeared on his many illustrations found in Texas newspapers for decades. Below: Roger Mason's adaptation of McClanahan's college mascot caricatures, like Notre Dame's leprechaun, helped sell his company's wall clocks in the early 1970s. | In truth, I had never heard of Bill McClanahan. And to my knowledge, his artwork never appeared on a felt novelty item. But one day I came across a 1970-dated wall clock featuring Notre Dame's leprechaun. And there I saw McClanahan's work on full display. I knew right away: I had found my leprechaun. Upon further research, I learned a guy named Roger Mason designed a whole series of collegiate wall clocks manufactured in 1970-71 by Decor Accessories, Inc. of Dallas, TX. The clocks were okay. But it was the art on their clock faces that caught my eye. Here's a sample of what these clock faces looked like: |
In 2018 I started a separate website called Pennant Fever dedicated to 20th century felt novelty manufacturers. It focuses on these companies' history, products, etc. Eventually, my interest in these businesses inspired me to start making my own pennants. THIS site you're currently viewing, Pennant Factory, is where I'll showcase some of the felt projects I've taken on. Most are reproductions of real pennants once for sale to the public. I've done my best to re-create the originals as authentically as possible based upon surviving photos, known dimensions, etc. Others are my original work, intended to look like the styles of yesteryear. Some turned out better than others. See for yourself. Enjoy! -KRB
All
1916 NL Champs Pennant
1952 + 1953 NL Champs Banners
1955/2020 WS Champs Banners
1955 WS Champs Pennant
1959 NL Champs Pennant
1963/2020 WS Champs Pennant
1965/2020 WS Champs Pennant
2020 WS Champs Burgee
"3-D Pennant" (ca. 1950s)
"B.B.C. Series" Pennant (ca. 1910)
Bklyn. Robins Pennant (ca. 1917)
"Burnt Leather Seal" (ca. 1940s) - Collegiate Mfg. Co.
"Caricature Pennant" - Clayton Kershaw
"Caricature Pennant" - GS Warriors
"Date Pennant" (ca. 1960s)
Dodger Stadium Scoreboard (1988)
Early 1910s Football Pennants - Reproduction Co.
"Grommet Pennant" - 1920 NL Champs Pennant
GW Forum Scoreboard (1998) - LA Kings
Jackie Robinson Pennant (1947)
Keezer "Emblem Pennant" (ca. 1950s)
"Kicked Football Series" Pennant (ca. 1940s) - Epstein Novelty Co.
LA Dodgers V. SF Giants "1st. GAME" Pennant (1958)
"Mascot Banner" - Chicago Pennant Co.
"Mascot Banner" - Collegiate Mfg. Co.
"Mascot Banner" (II) - Chicago Pennant Co.
"Monogram Pennant" (ca. 1910s)
ND "NO PARKING" Sign
ND Stadium Scoreboard (1988)
ND Stadium Signage
Notre Dame Banner (1931)
Notre Dame Pennant (1925)
Notre Dame Pennant (ca. 1965)
Oakland Raiders (AFL) Pennant (1960) - ADFLAG
Oakland Raiders (AFL) Pennant (ca. 1960) - Trench
Phila. Athletics Pennant (ca. 1910)
"Photo Pennant" (ca. 1960s)
Schaefer Promo Sign (1955)
Staples Ctr. Banners - Lakers
Staples Ctr. Banners - LA Kings
"Trophy Banner" (ca. 1920)
Vin Scully Tribute Banner (2022)
"WELCOME....' Banner" - Carly Bros.
February 2024
November 2023
September 2023
July 2023
May 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
April 2022
February 2022
December 2021
October 2021
August 2021
July 2021
May 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
August 2020
March 2020
February 2020
December 2019
November 2019
August 2019
May 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018