A well-fashioned contest flier
In the summer of 1949, newspapers across the nation featured ads for the “ALL STAR SHIRT” – a shirt produced and manufactured by Ely & Walker and Pacific Mills fabric
An exclusive pattern of this shirt and matching boxers was designed for each major league club which could be purchased in department, dry goods and men’s furnishings stores where Ely & Walker products were sold. In addition to the clothing, a contest entry form in the shape of the shirt, printed with that region’s team design, was also available in participating stores.
One of the Philadelphia Athletics entry form fliers is being preserved in the collection of The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
Hall of Fame Membership
There is no simpler, and more essential, way to demonstrate your support than to sign on as a Museum Member.
E&W and Pacific Mills’ contribution to baseball began in the fashion scene, but was enriched with the opportunity for boys and girls age 17 and under. Interested individuals could trim the official entry coupon off the top of the flier and write an essay on the topic of, “I am a (insert team name) fan because…” According to the contest rules, a boy and girl winner was selected for each of the 16 major league clubs. Judging was based on originality, sincerity and aptness of thought.
The winning boy and girl for each of the 16 teams was awarded a game ticket to the team they wrote about, an autographed program and baseball by the team, a meet and greet with the players on the club bench and a luncheon with press, radio and sports personalities.
As if that didn’t already make for a perfect summer, those 32 winners qualified to write an additional 200-word essay on the topic of, “Baseball is our national sport because…” The regional finalists were narrowed down to one boy and one girl who received a trip for themselves and a chaperone to the first two games of the 1949 World Series, an autographed program and baseball signed by both teams (Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Yankees), a welcoming by the mayor of the city, a luncheon with press, radio and sports personalities, pictures taken at the ball park and a GE Model 811 console television receiving set with installation included.
There may have only been 32 winners in the essay contest, but anyone wearing the all-star shirt looked like a winner that summer.
The contest entry form in our collection is just a small piece of a larger story. While we have the flier, we do not have any additional material. If you have the shirt and boxers or a photograph of someone wearing them and would be interested in donating them, please contact us.
Dani Dayton is a graphic designer at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Related Stories
#Shortstops: Art Pennington: An Equal among Greats
#Shortstops: Heroes, Hall of Famers and Sept. 11
#Shortstops: Dave Winfield still towers over the game
#Shortstops: Letters from Ty Cobb
#Shortstops: Art Pennington: An Equal among Greats
#Shortstops: Heroes, Hall of Famers and Sept. 11
#Shortstops: Dave Winfield still towers over the game