Is This the Actual Franchise Certificate?

Hunt Auctions is running a Super-Bowl timed auction with some amazing treasures for Packer fans. Buried in the catalog is one item that could be the most important team artifact to ever hit the block.

This patriotic sheet of card is billed as the actual team franchise certificate, issued by the league in the 1920s.

Description: UPDATED DESCRIPTION: Historically significant Green Bay Packers National Football League charter certificate c.1920s. Joseph F. Carr assumed control of the American Professional Football Association in 1921 and was of sound conviction that the sport he loved was deserving of a far more prominent spot within the culture of American sport. From the start, he was determined to bring the game into the spotlight and show that it was being run in an honest and capable manner. Upon taking over, Carr instituted all manner of sweeping changes starting with the name and decreed that from 1922 onward the conglomerate of teams was to be known as "The National Football League." Other new rules and regulations introduced included League by-laws, membership criteria, a uniform player's contract, territorial rights, and a strict ban on the use of college players. It was this last point which would be pushed to the forefront by a controversial news report in late 1921. The public had long been wary of professional teams using collegiate players and when conclusive proof surfaced that three such players from Notre Dame had taken the field on behalf of Green Bay, Carr was forced to act. At a meeting of League Officials and team representatives in January of 1922 the Franchise rights which had been granted to the Packers were revoked. "My grandfather said he knew that some of the teams had been fudging on this particular rule" recalls grandson James Carr, "but this is the first time [he had] caught somebody, So he pulled the league franchise from the Packers and Curly Lambeau and that Franchise certificate that was originally sent to Lambeau was returned" That original certificate still belongs in our family." Upon further research we have concluded that this particular certificate dates to slightly later than referenced within the Carr family archives likely to the early to mid 1920s era rather than 1921 specifically. Undoubtedly, the offered certificate if an original signed variant as retained by Joseph Carr quite possibly with relation to the Packers process of renaming and assimilation into the NFL during that 1920s period. Beautifully executed on 13.5"x16" heavy stock, the certificate has "The National Football League Certificate of Membership" titling atop an American flag with football logo. The body is executed in flowing script which reads in part, "The Green Bay Football Corporation, A corporation owning and operating a Professional Football Club has by proper action of the National Football League been duly nominated and admitted into membership in that League" This Certificate endorses the right of the Green Bay Football Corporation to represent the city of Green Bay" It has been signed at lower right, "Joe F. Carr" in fountain pen rating 9/10 out of 10. The piece remains in fine overall condition with a touch of light even toning throughout (slightly more accentuated at areas) and some scattered additional very minor discoloration. Though Carr would help evolve the game from a band of small town teams to the largest spectator sport in America with participating clubs dotted throughout its major cities, The Packers remain unique as the only major professional sports team in American which is owned by the community in which it plays. Founded in 1919 by Curly Lambeau and George Whitney Calhoun and known in their earliest incarnation as The Acme Packers, they came to their now famed "Green Bay Packers" moniker after the Indian Packing Company agreed to sponsor the purchase of uniforms. In order to resume play in the NFL after the Franchise was revoked by Carr, Lambeau organized "The Hungry Five." Together, these Green Bay area businessmen raised the needed funds and incorporated the team as a non-profit. Over the ensuing decades they have won an NFL record (13) League Championships which include (9) NFL Titles and (4) Super Bowls. Includes letter of provenance from the Carr Family and full LOA from JSA: EX/MT-NM

Estimated Price Range: ($20,000-$40,000)

If this is real, then it belongs in the Packers Hall of Fame, not a private collection.

Good as Gold

This beautiful photo, originally published in the photo section of the Milwaukee Journal on October 12, 1930, now hangs in a mens' room in the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee.

The caption gives us a little context:

The Green Bay Packers
Champions of the National Professional Football League
FOR 1929

PRO FOOTBALL IN GREEN BAY dates from the time when the Acme Packing Co. put a team in the field just after the World War. For several years the team has been supported by the Green Bay Football corporation but the name Packers has remained—a name which all Wisconsin honors, a name which means top notch football in the National Professional Football League.

Front row, left to right; Woodin, Radick, Fitzgibbon, Zuidmulder, Bloodgood, Perry and Zuver. Middle row, left to right: Lambeau, Herber, Michalske, McCrary, O'Donnell, Lewellyn, Blood, Molenda, Dunn and Lidvig. Standing, left to right: Hanny, Sleight, Nash, Hubbard, Dilweg, Engelmann, Bowdoin, Darling, Earpe and Kresge. (Journal Color Photo)

Although the caption mentions the 1929 Championship, this is a photo of the 1930 club. Elbert Bloodgood, Merle Zuver, and Frank Hanny played only one season in Green Bay.

"Lidvig" is actually running back Carl Lidberg. I don't know who "Kresge" is; nobody by that name appears on the Packers' all-time roster.

The Packers would, of course, go on to win a second consecutive World Championship in 1930 and then a third after that; a feat which has only been equaled once since, by the Packers of 1965, 1966, and 1967.

I love the little pennant graphic filling out the space below the caption.

"The GBP". Very collegiate.

This is a beautiful ph

Hall of Fame Uniform Timeline - ACME PACKERS

In a previous post, we looked at the uniform timeline just unveiled at the Packers Hall of Fame in Lambeau Field:

© Jeff Ash, used with permission

There's an absolutely stunning revelation on one of the figures:

© Jeff Ash, used with permission

White lettering on the "ACME PACKERS" jersey?

The only other time I've seen white indicated was in the book "Packers by the Numbers". I had noted this as an outlier in our timeline, as all other sources with which I'm familiar have it as gold.

As far as I know, no jerseys from the era survive. Nor do we have any color photos.

For at least four decades, however, the jersey has been depicted as navy and gold. Consider this artwork, commissioned for the 1972 book NFL: The First 50 Years:

That may well have been the first time a modern artist attempted to re-create the old jersey. Have we been parroting a mistaken presumption since then?

There's also the small matter of the Packers selling navy and gold merchandise for over five years now:

Even today, the Packers' website is using the same Maple Leaf Productions painting as featured on the fridge magnets. You guessed it, navy and gold:

If the Packers now have credible evidence that the lettering was white, it would upend half a century of presumptions. It wouldn't necessarily surprise me; after all, the NFL has been until recently a pretty terrible steward of its own history, the Packers only slightly more so. It's also an exciting reminder that there's so much more to learn and discover about our club.

While we're on the subject, there's also another rumor I've heard for years, that the jerseys also said "ACME PACKERS" on the back. I can't tell from this angle if that's the case on the mannequin's jersey.

See the New Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame

Packers.com

This morning, the revamped Packers Hall of Fame opened to the public, and we're seeing some great views of what's in store for visitors to Lambeau Field.

The new museum displays are very impressive.

Packers.com

Gone are the old plaques; each inductee is now represented by a sculpture of a football.

Packers.com

It's a stunning representation, even more impressive close up. Each football is engraved with the inductee's name, picture, years with the team and year of induction.

Packers.com

Jeff Ash of the Green Bay Press-Gazette has suggested that these football sculptures would make excellent souvenirs if the Hall of Fame should ever sell them.

Packers.com

I think he's on to something there.

The reminds me a little of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, which ditched its plaques about ten years ago in favor of staggered rows of busts. Using footballs, however, emphasizes the team nature of the game. From a distance, it's all a unified whole. Only when you get close can you see the individuals comprising the team.

Of course, there's a lot for uniform fans to like. This is the new locker room section:

Packers.com

How could they get these reproductions so right and yet the new 2015 on-field alternate uniforms so wrong?

Of course, it's not all reproductions. The authentic Don Hutson jersey is still on display:

© Jeff Ash, used with permission

I think my favorite area has to be this overhead display of Packers uniforms, arranged in a chronological timeline:

© Jeff Ash, used with permission

As you move from right to left, the figures appear to be throwing a pass, and you advance through the highlights of the team's uniform history from the earliest days to modern times:

© Jeff Ash, used with permission

I'm a little jealous; the effect is one I was planning to use for a lithograph to celebrate the team's Centennial in a couple years.

© Jeff Ash, used with permission

There are two items of note I see in this tableau, which we'll address in separate posts.

Overall, the new Hall looks outstanding. Can't wait for my next trip to Lambeau Field.

Feeling a Little Blue, Again

Once again, it's Acme Packers Week! And in honor of the blue-and-gold uniforms the Packers will wear this weekend against the Eagles, Packers.com has been given its customary blue makeover.

They've been doing this since 2010.

That photo in the background is the 1929 squad, who wore the original uniforms the team is throwing back to:


I always love this week. Can't wait to watch the action on Sunday.

The Acme of Mistakes

This really shouldn't bother me as much as it does. But I can't help it.

This is the new "Acme Packers" logo for 2014. You may infer that it's an old logo from 1921; they're certainly trying to imply it. But it's all balderdash. This logo was created sometime over the past year, possibly by NFL Properties or a private design firm. I guess the previous design didn't sell.

It's better-designed than last year's version. The layout is good, not overly-detailed. But the "AP" monogram doesn't make much sense. Worse yet, it compounds the "1921" problem with the flatly-inaccurate "FOUNDED 1921" slogan. No, they weren't, no matter how much the NFL wants to pretend that they were.

Of course, they're ready to slap this mess across any manner of merchandise:

If you really like the logo, you can buy a massive 3 foot by 3 foot version to slap across your wall.

And heck, they'll even through in last year's inaccurate fauxback logo as part of the package.

A clear case of subtraction by addition. Not even a bonus "Holstein Heisman" logo can redeem it.

About that "1921" Photo...

You may remember this photo, which sold at auction in November of 2011.

It was billed as "the earliest known action photo of the Green Bay Packers franchise", purporting to show a 1921 game.

You may also recall that I expressed skepticism at the time, based on the "Packer" uniforms. As it turns out, I was right in that.

Yesterday, Green Bay Press-Gazette scribe Cliff Christl (who knows a thing or two about early Packers history) blew the lid off of this story.

With thousands of Green Bay Packers shareholders descending upon our city for their annual meeting Wednesday and swarms of other fans preparing to make their annual pilgrimage to training camp, now might be a good time to remind them that when buying Packers memorabilia, buyer beware.

That may be especially true when purchasing early Packers pictures, many of which are unmarked in the Neville Public Museum collection but have been tagged with incorrect captions in a number of books and publications about Packers history, including the team’s own 75th anniversary book.

The picture that appears along with this column was sold on Mears Online Auctions site in 2011 for $4,674, including a buyer’s premium.

Mears claimed the picture was an original from 1921 and that Curly Lambeau was the one about to take the pitchout and run with the ball; in turn, “making it the earliest action image of Lambeau known” and also “the earliest known action photo of the Green Bay Packers franchise.”

Too bad for the proud owner, but here’s the bad news: You were fleeced. You bought a picture of a high school football game and Lambeau is nowhere to be found in it.

Mears also stated in its online description that the picture was commissioned by Buff Wagner of Marinette and remained in his family until about 2000. Wagner played for the Packers in 1920 and ’21.

The picture alone should have raised at least three red flags.

One was the Allouez Water and Beverages sign. It appears to match the sign that stood in the old minor-league baseball stadium in Hagemeister Park, which also doubled as a football field.

What doesn’t add up is that Green Bay lost its minor-league team following the 1914 season and that ballpark was torn down in the spring of 1918, the year before the Packers were born.

Two was the snow. The Packers played 18 games, including exhibitions, at Hagemeister Park in 1920 and ’21, but only six after Nov. 1. Those were the only two seasons that Lambeau and Wagner played together with the Packers, although they also participated along with a number of their teammates in a local benefit game at Hagemeister on Dec. 5, 1920.

The problem is that of those 19 games, including the benefit, the only one in which there was snow on the ground was played Nov. 13, 1921, based on National Weather Service records reviewed by local meteorologist Roy Eckberg.

Three was the jerseys. If the game was played in 1921, that was the year the Acme Packing Co. sponsored the Packers.

Here’s the flag-raiser: The Packers’ 1921 team picture shows that at least a handful of players, including Lambeau and Wagner, wore jerseys with Acme Packers written in large bold letters across the front. Only two of the jerseys worn by players on the team with the ball are clearly visible in the picture in question, but there’s no sign of any lettering.

What’s more, the Packers’ jerseys were darker than their pants in their team photo and it’s just the opposite in the action photo; and the players’ socks differ in the two photos.

Mears’ online description also suggested an ignorance of Packers history.

It noted that Wagner played for the Packers in 1920 and ’21 and that Lambeau joined the team in ’21. As most every Packers fan knows, Lambeau helped found the team in 1919. The description also stated that it was the Packers’ second professional season when, in fact, it was their third season and first league season, and whether they were a professional or semipro team in their first two years is a debatable point.

So who was playing and where’s the proof that it wasn’t an actual shot of Lambeau and the Packers?

The $4,600 picture was of a high school football game played at Hagemeister Park between Marinette and Watertown on Dec. 8, 1917. That was long before high school football playoffs — back when any successful high school team in the state could challenge any other to play for the state championship.

Marinette claimed to be champions of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan and invited any of four other undefeated teams in the state to try to prove otherwise. Watertown accepted and Green Bay made a strong pitch to serve as host. The local promoters — Brown County Red Cross chapter, Green Bay Association of Commerce and Green Bay Press-Gazette — then went all out to hype the game.

Wagner was Marinette’s captain and fullback, and the game was played in zero-degree weather with about an inch of snow on the ground. As for Lambeau, he went to Green Bay East High School and graduated the previous spring.

Proof that it wasn’t a Packers game can be found in Snapshots, Green Bay West’s 1918 Yearbook. The picture appeared there on page 100 more than a year before the Packers were born.

Amazing, amazing work from Mr. Christl.

"Through Curly's Eyes"

Opening July 19, we have a new entry into the "stage and screen" category: "Through Curly's Eyes", from Green Bay's Let Me Be Frank Productions. As a writer and theatrical producer myself, I'm very intrigued about the dramatic possibilities of the team's earliest days.

The same company, you might remember, supplies actors for trolley tours of the Packers Heritage Trail around Green Bay.

The photo of three Packers in their sepia-toned blues is a nice image, even if the text could use some work (there's no apostrophe in "Packers", fellows).

Unfortunately, information about "Through Curly's Eyes" is scant and somewhat contradictory online. The show is described on its ticket service page this way:

A little bit of history and a lot of laughs are the best ways to describe this Let Me Be Frank show. Learn about the Pack and take the tour in downtown Green Bay from 1919 to 1950. But this isn't just any tour - it's through Curly's eyes! Join us for this all-original show with original songs written by Cliff Christl!

Songs by Cliff Christl, the former Green Bay Press-Gazette and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writer who covered the Packers from 1974-2007? Creator of the Packers Heritage Trail? Count me in!

I think they might mean the "all-original show" is written by Cliff Christl, with some original songs added in. The production company's site describes it this way:

Nobody really knew Curly Lambeau, but he is probably the best known person from Green Bay. He started the franchise and the stadium is named after him. Known as a ladies man and a braggart, Let me be Franks takes you back to the 1932 season and the great stories of Cliff Christl. You will laugh and remember the glory days before Lombardi. July 19th through August 17th at the Meyer Theatre!

Also on the company's site, but on the "Show Schedule" page, we have this summary:

Nicolet Bank and Let me be Franks present a little bit of history and a lot of laughs with the new musical about Curly Lambeau. Learn about the Pack and take a tour of downtown Green Bay and the Packers from 1932-1934. But this isn't just any tour – it’s through Curly’s eyes! Join us for this all-original show with stories from Cliff Christl!

So now we have three different settings: '1919 to 1950", "the 1932 season" and "1932-1934". It's also a bit hazy as to how Cliff Christl and the Packers Heritage Trail factor into this production. Christl may have written the show or it may just be based on his stories. The show is branded with the trail's name over the title, and the press materials lean heavily on the word "tour", but they don't seem to have anything in common other than the actors they've already been using as guides. "Tour" here seems more likely to have the more poetic "stroll-through-history" meaning than the literal trolley jaunts. We could really use a proper press release to clear this up.

Think of it, though: site-specific/environmental theatre, with historical scenes performed at the actual locations where the events happened! Sounds like fun, but I don't think that's what they have in store.

This report in the Green Bay Press-Gazette might clear it up:

Packers history explored through new musical

For Let Me Be Frank Productions' latest show, "The Packers Heritage Trail: Through Curly’s Eyes," the group travels all the way back to the 1932 season of the Green Bay Packers and Curly Lambeau.

Set to popular tunes from the '40s and '50s, the musical begins in the old Hagemeister Park where Curly is declaring to his future wife that he’ll conquer the world, and continues along the story of the fund-lacking Packers chasing a title, just trying to stay financially afloat.

In addition to the show, Let Me Be Frank and C&M Marketing are putting together trolley tours of the Packers Heritage Trail hosted by one of the cast members.

That seems to indicate that the musical at the Meyer Theatre is a separate project, related only by the actors the two have in common.

The same Press-Gazette offers this publicity photo, giving us a better look at the uniforms.

That's definitely not the 1932 uniform: in 1932, the Packers were wearing plain blue jerseys as seen at right (with large numbers on the back). They do look like pretty decent reproductions of the Packers' 1929-30 uniforms, made famous via the throwback uniforms worn in 2000 and in 2011 and which will be revived this season. Can't really fault the costume designer for going with the more distinctive numbered jerseys, even if they aren't strictly period.

Looking again at Let Me Be Frank Productions's site, we can piece together some information on the cast, at least those three pictured above. Perhaps the numbers can also give us some insight into which characters might make appearances.

That's company founder and namesake Frank Hermans as Curly Lambeau in the center. He looks good in the part, too. Although Lambeau wore many numbers during his playing career (and remains so far the only man to wear #1), 20 was his number in 1929. Lambeau retired after the 1930 season.

On the right is Jack Janowicz. I don't know who he's playing; number 14 was issued to back Paul Fitzgibbon in 1932, although today it's most remembered for legend Don Hutson, who wore it from 1935 through 1945 and for whom it was retired in 1951.

The other player is played by Paul Evansen, although I can't make out his number. Perhaps he's playing Johnny "Blood" McNally (who wore #20 in '32); by all accounts Johnny Blood was a colorful character to justify a musical of his own life, and should at least feature prominently in a show about those Big Bay Blues Glory Days.

"Through Curly's Eyes" runs July 19th through August 17th at the Meyer Theatre in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Tickets are available at the Resch Center box office, at ticketstaronline.com or by calling 1-800-895-0071.

Auction Gold - Curly Lambeau's Cleats

This one's a doozy.

MEARS is offering a once-in-a-lifetime find in their current auction; a pair of football cleats worn by Curly Lambeau.

The catalog description is extensive, so I'm going to reprint it here in full for its historical value.

Lot #360: 1929-43 Earl "Curly" Lambeau Green Bay Packers Game Worn Riddell Yellow Back Kangaroo Leather Football Cleats (MEARS/Consignor LOA)


The Heart and Sole of Green Bay

Curly Lambeau was the heart and soul of the Green Bay Packers. Without him, there would be no team in Green Bay today. Other early small town franchises such as Akron and Rock Island lasted only a very short time before fading into football obscurity. Lambeau, through relentless determination saved Green Bay from a similar fate.

Offered for the MEARS Online Auctions current sale is a rare game worn item of great historical importance associated with Green Bay Packers' legend, Curly Lambeau. In a recent interview with Tom Murphy, Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Archivist, he stated he was unaware of any personally worn item belonging to Curly Lambeau in the archives of the Packers Hall of Fame.

The staff of MEARS Auctions also combed auction catalogs, past sales records, and internet archives and was not able to find one single Curly Lambeau game worn item to come to public market. This means that to my knowledge and the very best of my research abilities, this is the first and only Curly Lambeau game worn item to survive which can be linked to his possible playing days and coaching career. Research also dates this item exclusively to Lambeau's tenure with the Green Bay Packers, 1929-43 circa.

World class collections must contain an anchor piece, an item that represents the genesis of a player or franchise. Each main sports category has a nucleus, an item that is the origin of the sport and represents a greater meaning than the artifact itself.

Our hobby has seen several items that fit this classification. Examples that come to mind are the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings trade card which is the foundation of a great baseball card collection or the 1891 James Naismith Basketball Rules which outlined the birth of professional basketball.

For this lot, we are offering Curly Lambeau's 1929-43 circa Green Bay Packers personally worn football cleats, originally given as a gift to close personal friend Mary Jane Duyse. As Lambeau proudly carried the Packers franchise on his back, he was wearing these shoes on his feet. These shoes epitomize the importance of Curly Lambeau to the Green Bay Packers and the NFL. This is one of the most icon relics of Green Bay Packers history ever to be offered publicly.

Mary Jane Duyse

Mary Jane Duyse was with Curly Lambeau during his final moments. According to the book, "Lambeau: The Man Behind the Mystique" by David Zimmerman, copyright 2003, the author chronicled Curly Lambeau's final hours while preparing for a date with the much younger Mary Jane. He wrote,

"He drove slowly through Egg Harbor, another little Door County town. He thought of Mary Jane and how much he enjoyed being with her. Even though she was half his age, it didn't seem to matter to the two of them.

Mary Jane, still living at home, waited as her father Francis mowed the grass of the front yard with an old push mower. "Hey Francis, let me take a turn at that. I need some exercise," said Curly. Up and down the lawn he went. It felt good. He felt good. "Look at the new dance I've learned in California," and began to do the twist. Francis yelled, "Don't do this!"

With sweat rolling down his face and his shirt now damp with perspiration, he stopped, reached for his handkerchief in his back pocket and began wiping his face. Suddenly, he felt dizzy, disoriented and sick to his stomach. "I feel kind of sick," he mumbled, and then fell backwards into Francis' arms."

Curly Lambeau died on the front lawn at 522 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI, on June 1st, 1965. He was 67 years old.

Along with several letters, photographs, and other items of memorabilia, Curly Lambeau presented Mary Jane Duyse's family these game worn shoes. They proudly remained in her collection for many years before being gifted to her Sturgeon Bay neighbor.

Research conducted by MEARS Authentication services dates these shoes to the 1929-43 era, all exclusive to his tenure with the Green Bay Packers. This was determined by photographic analysis, review of trade ads, and a review of the physical shoe construction.

The shoes themselves were manufactured by Riddell Sporting Goods are an early version.

According to his online biography, John Tate Riddell was born in Georgetown, Michigan in October, 1885. From 1913 through 1927 he taught Mathematics and was Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Evanston Township High School in Evanston, Illinois. It was at this time Mr. Riddell invented and developed the removable cleat.

He did it to solve a problem for his Evanston High School team. In those years football shoes were equipped with leather cleats. At the time, football cleats were made of leather and nailed to the sole of the shoe. Changing cleats due to inclement weather required the services of a cobbler to have longer "mud cleats" installed. Because Northwestern University used the same cobbler as Evanston Township High School, Evanston's football shoes were often not finished by game time.

Riddell knew his idea would solve this problem for everyone, once and for all. Lacking the capital necessary to start his own business, Riddell had his shoes manufactured by the J.P. Smith Shoe Company, and he and his wife installed the posts and cleats in the evenings. He continued to teach, coach and produce his shoes until 1927, when, with the popularity of shoes growing, he left education to devote his entire effort to producing shoes. John T. Riddell, Inc. was formed in February, 1929.

It makes great sense that Curly Lambeau would have quickly adopted the use of a new innovation such as a detachable cleat. Everything written about him supports his promotion of strategic innovation and it is only logical that translated to improvements in available equipment.

Dating 1929-43 circa

Since Riddell officially formed as a company in 1929, we base the starting date as a possible year of issuance to 1929. This was due to the fact "RIDDELL" is stamped in a series of punch holes on both tongues. It is possible based on the design these shoes were available to Lambeau to wear during his final season as a player/coach with the 1929 Packers team.

According to May, 1932 John T. Riddell, Inc. print ad (copy included), the cleats were described as, "Riddell Football shoes were first used in 1922, Northwestern University has used them continuously since 1923. University of Chicago since 1924, Illinois and Nebraska and many others since 1925. Riddell cleats have won for themselves the unique distinction of being the original and only screw cleat that will stand under hard usage."

Examination reveals this is the correct 7 screw cleat shoe offered by Riddell during the period.

Further review determines these cleats are the hand turned yellow back Kangaroo hide, consisted with catalog model, "Style G" which originally sold for $14.00 and was the top of the line model. The literature goes on to note that the several colleges including the University of Wisconsin wore this model shoe.

Examination of the cleats when compared to the Riddell official sales literature helps MEARS determine this is a No. 1 style cleat. The catalog describes it as, "No. 1, Best for practice and wear. Being softer is easier on the feet."

The catalog does list cleat No. 4 as a "game cleat". Since No. 1 was listed as "best for practice", this may indicate this was Lambeau's preferred pair of coaching shoes.

With the rudimentary application of the tongue "RIDDELL" stamping, his may have been personally done by John T. Riddell and his wife as they built the early cleats together during the evenings. This would pre-date our estimated 1929 dating and would have made these shoes available for Lambeau to wear while a player for the Green Bay Packers. This fact cannot be substantiated, but the strong possibility does exist. A 1927 image of Lambeau playing for the Packers feature him wearing a similar pair of high top football cleats, but the exact maker is unidentified.

Imagery Analysis of Lambeau Cleat Style

Available images verify Lambeau as wearing this style at various points of his career with the Green Bay Packers. The following images support high top cleats being worn by Lambeau early in his career, 1927-43, and low tops later:

1927 Lambeau throwing as player (Riddell attribution is not positive)

1932 Lambeau with high tops

1945 Lambeau with low tops during training camp

1948 Lambeau with low tops during practice

1950 Lambeau with low tops

1951 Lambeau with low tops

Available images suggest that Lambeau switched to a low top style around 1944, and continued with that preference until his retirement from Pro Football in 1952.

Physical Wear Description

Examination reveals both Riddell shoes have heavy game wear. The entire leather exteriors of the shoe shows scuffing and wear to the yellow Kangaroo hide. The canvas interior also shows signs of heavy game wear. Certainly a full season's worth of use, possible more. Both "RIDDELL & 11 (size)" are punched into the leather of the tongue. Both cleats have a complete set of (7) No. 1 style cleats that remain tightly attached. The left shoe has replacement black leather lacing, the right shoe has a vintage brown leather lace, and I am not sure if it is vintage to the shoe. Small clumps of ancient dried mud and grass are found embedded into various crevices of the sole's of the shoes, possibly picked up at City Stadium or Milwaukee State Fair Park.

Lambeau Identication and Attribution

In addition to the direct chain or provenance, each shoe is marked with an unique identifier exclusive to Curly Lambeau. On the left shoe, "C.L". I is neatly written in faded, worn black marker.

On the right shoe, "Curly" is neatly written in faded, worn black marker. The use of the name "Curly" is proper for the era as he was first listed as "Curly" Lambeau in a 1918 newspaper article covering his Notre Dame career. The name stuck and we was referred to as Curly almost ever since.

Examination reveals the black marker to be faded and worn, both signs of authentic patination. The remnants of the ink have set deeply in with the leather of the soles. It is in my expert opinion that the writing was placed on the shoes around 80+ years ago.

Provenance

These shoes have remained in Sturgeon Bay since the day Curly Lambeau personally hand delivered them to Mary Jane Duyse. The cleats were proudly displayed in her home for many years. At some point after the death of Mr. Lambeau, the next door neighbor of Mary Jane Duyse obtained the shoes from the Duyse family. He cherished them for many years before gifting them to our consignor (also a Sturgeon Bay resident) shortly before his death. I personally drove to Sturgeon Bay to take possession of the shoes for our current auction, which was only miles from the home of Mary Jane Duyse and the spot where Curly Lambeau died. The existences of the shoes have been known within the Packers collecting community for many years. Our consignors' letter will chronicle the names of all owners in the custody chain.

Historical Feats Accomplished During the Era these shoes would have been worn

During 1929 Lambeau became the team's coach and playing captain. Lambeau was the first pass-minded coach in the NFL and his teams were like their leader, impatient and explosive. An excellent passer in his own right, Curly flew in the face of common practice.

Despite rules that made it difficult to use the forward pass, Lambeau's Packers were a team whose main offensive weapon was the pass – at any time, on any down, from anywhere on the field. With his vaunted passing attack, he led the Packers to championships in 1929, 1930, and 1931. After signing future Hall of Fame receiver Don Hutson in 1935, they won three more titles – 1936, 1939, & 1944."

It is highly probably these shoes were worn during one or more early Championship season. A more historic item of Green Bay Packers history does not exist. It is our opinion that these cleats are the only known personally worn item that survived the career of Curly Lambeau. This lot represents a very rare opportunity to own the only known game worn artifact directly linked to football icon Curly Lambeau.

A LOA from the consignor detailing the provenance directly back to Mary Jane Duyse will accompanying this lot. LOA Troy R. Kinunen / MEARS Auctions, LOA consignor. LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS

I'm usually very skeptical about an item like this, but this seems solid. I first heard about these cleats several years ago, but don't recall that provenance. Very exciting.

Shame that these cleats will likely disappear into a private collection; they really belong in the Packers Hall of Fame.

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UPDATE 3/3/2013:   The final hammer price, including Buyers Premium, was $25,958. If this is to be the centerpiece of a private collection, I'd like to see the rest of that collection.

1926 Team Blanket Donated to Hall of Fame

I don't know how I missed this from last August, but a 1926 team blanket was recently donated to the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.

Packers Hall of Fame Inc. announces donation of 1926 team blanket

The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Inc. today announced the donation of a 1926 Green Bay Packers team blanket by Bill Cahoon of Dandridge, Tenn.

The blanket, which belonged to Bill Cahoon’s father, Ivan "Tiny" Wells Cahoon, is square and about four feet across. It is light purple with gold lettering that reads “Green Bay” with the number "10" on it. According to the Hall of Fame, it's possible that the item was originally blue, but has faded to light purple over time.

"I didn't even realize this blanket existed," Bill Cahoon said. "My sister gave it to me. I asked her, 'Where did you get this?' and she said, 'Mom gave it to me!' It's an interesting piece of history and I doubt if there are any others like it. I want to donate it to the Packers Hall of Fame so that others can see it. The Hall of Fame is very well-known and a lot of people will be able to view the blanket there."

Ivan Cahoon played as an offensive and defensive tackle for the Packers from 1926 to 1929. Under coach Curly Lambeau, Cahoon played in 31 games, starting in 27. Cahoon’s football career ended during the 1929 season, just before the Packers' first NFL championship, when he sustained a knee injury.

After his retirement from football, Cahoon maintained his connection to the sport by coaching high school football. In 1933, he took up the reins at Green Bay West High School.

In 1938, Cahoon became the coach and athletic director at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Ill., a job set up for him, according to his son, Bill, by Packers teammate Jug Earp. He then left Monmouth after two years and went up to Milwaukee to coach a professional team, the Chiefs. Then World War II broke out. He also coached some service teams during his time in the Army.

During World War II, Cahoon was promoted from captain to major. He died at an Army hospital in San Francisco, Calif. on Feb. 3, 1973 at the age of 72. A graduate of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., he was inducted into the Gonzaga Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.

Although the origin of the blanket is unknown, it is likely that it was given to Cahoon after the Packers 7-3-3 season in 1926 as a year-end gift.

"We are very excited to receive this blanket," said Tom Murphy, Packers Hall of Fame Inc. director and archivist. "We don't have many items from that era, so we are very thankful for Bill’s donation."

This is not Bill Cahoon's first donation to the Hall of Fame. In 1966 he donated a football that was given to his dad after his only career touchdown during the Sept. 25, 1927, contest against the Cleveland Bulldogs. That ball can now be seen in the Johnny "Blood" McNally display at the Hall of Fame.

A great story, and what an incredible artifact.

1926 was the team's second season in City Stadium after leaving Hagemeister Park.

The 1926 Green Bay Packers

The team went 7-3-3 that year, which was good enough to earn fifth place in the single-table NFL.

	W	L	T	%
Frankford Yellow Jackets	14	1	2	.933
Chicago Bears	12	1	3	.923
Pottsville Maroons	10	2	2	.833
Kansas City Cowboys	8	3	0	.727
Green Bay Packers	7	3	3	.700
New York Giants	8	4	1	.667
Los Angeles Buccaneers	6	3	1	.667
Duluth Eskimos	6	5	3	.545
Buffalo Rangers	4	4	2	.500
Chicago Cardinals	5	6	1	.455
Providence Steam Roller	5	7	1	.417
Detroit Panthers	4	6	2	.400
Hartford Blues	3	7	0	.300
Brooklyn Lions	3	8	0	.273
Milwaukee Badgers	2	7	0	.222
Dayton Triangles	1	4	1	.200
Akron Indians	1	4	3	.200
Racine Tornadoes	1	4	0	.200
Columbus Tigers	1	6	0	.143
Canton Bulldogs	1	9	3	.100
Hammond Pros	0	4	0	.000
Louisville Colonels	0	4	0	.000

Ties didn't count in the standings in those days—if they had, the 1933 Packers would have won their fourth championship in a row, as their 10-3-1 record was judged inferior to the champion Bears' mark of 7-1-6.

What a time to be a football fan in Green Bay; Curly Lambeau was still at the height of his playing career, and the Packers were on the verge of putting together the dynasty that would win three consecutive championships. This blanket must have been present for some amazing games.

Home Sweet Home - Hagemeister Park, 1923

Neville Public Museum

This picture was taken in Joannes Park, where the Green Bay Packers practiced in 1923, with the photographer facing northwest. Green Bay East High School was under construction at the time and the far west end of it is visible on the right. The homes to the left of the old Hagemeister Clubhouse at center were located on Walnut Street, just west of Baird Street.

Here are your 1923 Green Bay Packers, photographed in their gold jerseys with nine thin navy stripes on each sleeve, and billed as the "state and northwest champions".

Joannes Park still exists today.


View Larger Map

Behind the players, and at the very right edge of the photograph, you can see East High School's new building under construction. That construction included a new sports field, which would soon be known as City Stadium and, beginning in 1925, would become the new home of the Packers.

Evolution of the NFL Football Helmet

The NFL has posted a very interesting graphic, charting the evolution of the football helmet from Curly Lambeau to Wes Welker. Great to see three references to the Packers. You can't tell the history of the NFL without Green Bay.

I am a little disturbed to see the note about the Revolution helmet in the '00s. I know it makes us all feel better to talk about reducing concussions , but 1) we can't innovating our way out of the NFL's current health crisis, and 2) it's not about concussions. But perhaps that's a longer discussion for another time.