Monday, September 26, 2011

Vintage Draper & Maynard Die Cut Counter Displays

These incredible die cut counter display pieces were auctioned off in May 2011 by Robert Edwards, one of the premier sports collectibles auction houses.

They all come from the New Hampshire sporting goods manufacturer, Draper-Maynard. Jason Draper and John Maynard began producing baseball gloves in 1881. It's said that D&M was the first company to produce gloves for specific fielding positions.

Around 1900 D&M introduced what is probably their most famous trademark, the "Lucky Dog." The image was actually Maynard's bird dog, Nick.

The first group of five is circa 1913

Walter Johnson

"Shoeless" Joe Jackson

Bob Bescher

"Big Ed" Konetchy

Henie Zimmerman

The next lot of four is from 1930. 

Pat Collins


Lew Fonseca
Hugh Critz

Al Simmons

The company closed in 1937 after Maynard's death. That same year, Goldsmith and Sons purchased the rights to produce sporting goods with the Draper-Maynard name and the "Lucky Dog" mark. This went on until 1962 when they merged with McGregor Sporting Goods.

The name Draper-Maynard is still around today. However, it's more of a novelty thing than an actual sporting goods company. The company bearing it's name only offers t-shirts on their website which can be found here.

Nick, the "Lucky Dog"

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Vintage Hans Christian Andersen Die Cuts

I came across these great Hans Christian Andersen die cuts several years ago while shopping in a tiny vintage bookstore in Copenhagen, Denmark. I can only assume they were counter displays used to advertise his fairy tales. Other than the type on the front there is no other text on them. All of the backs are blank, but do have fold outs like easels. All of the titles are in Danish.

The Tinderbox 1835

The Swineherd 1841
The Sheepherdess and the Chimney Sweep 1845
Jack the Dullard 1855


During his lifetime (1805-1875), H.C. Andersen wrote almost 200 fairy tales. Even today, some 136 years after his death, he is still one of the most widely read authors.