A Vintage Brooklyn Squeak Toy - Rempel's HoJo the Dodger 'Bum'

I can finally say that I've got HoJo the Brooklyn Dodger 'Bum' in my collection.

Featured here is a circa 1940's-1950's plastic squeak toy manufactured by Rempel Manufacturing, Inc.  The company was founded in 1946 by Dietrich Gustav Rempel, a Russian immigrant, and was based in Akron, Ohio.  As you may have noticed in the photo below, the name Fred G. Reinert is imprinted on the reverse of the toy.  Reinert was the artist who designed the toy for Rempel Manufacturing.

This specific toy was named 'HoJo' - as indicated on its original packaging (not shown here).  From what I understand, Rempel did not specifically make this squeak toy for the Dodgers and its fans (it was not a licensed toy), but fans identified with it for obvious reasons.  As you may know, the Brooklyn faithful called the the Dodgers their 'Bums,' and the classic 'Bum' image was further marketed by the artwork of newspaper sports cartoonist Willard Mullin.

BTW, Rempel also made a very un-PC plastic squeak toy of an Indian (Native American) that looks a lot like Cleveland's Chief Wahoo.  That toy was also not made specifically for Cleveland fans, but has been closely identified with the club for the same reason as the 'HoJo' toy. 

The 'HoJo' toy was produced over a number of years and variations exist in both color and reverse stampings.  Unfortunately, I do not have a clue as to what colors or markings are more scarce.  So, if you have some insight into that please let me know.  My 'HoJo' toy is wearing a black tuxedo jacket with white vest.  A 'HoJo' in green pants with a yellow vest also exist.

These toys can range in values depending on condition and rarity.  I purchased my 'HoJo' for the rock-bottom price of $22 delivered - which ain't too bad considering its condition.  Much cleaner versions can sell for a couple hundred dollars, or more if included with the original packaging.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Some Dodger Art at Hunt Auctions - Koufax, Drysdale and Fazzino's 'Ebbets Field of Dreams'

Hunt Auctions is going to have a very busy November.  Not only are they running their regular internet/phone auction (that I feature in this post), but they also have their 11th Annual Live Auction at Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory concluding in November.  I'll talk a bit about the Louisville Slugger Museum later this week.  For now, let's take a look at some interesting Dodger artwork available through their internet/phone auction.

Below are a couple of 'folk-art' handmade marionettes of Dodger players.  They are 15" tall.  Who made them and when they were made is not known.  All I do know is that it's unique and would look great in a vintage Dodger display case.  Check out the auction here.

(Auction Link)

Below are a couple of hand-painted baseball by an artist named Gary Guerra.  I am not familiar with Mr. Guerra, but he does some great work.  As you can see he borrows a style reminiscent of legendary Baseball 'folk-artist' George Sosnak and artist Monty Sheldon.  Below is a Sandy Koufax ball.

(Auction Link)

And here is a Don Drysdale ball.

(Auction Link)

This is fantastic.  American pop artist Charles Fazzino created this 3-D piece entitled 'Ebbets Field of Dreams.'  It is a silkscreen serigraph, measures 16" x 11" (27" x 23" framed) and is numbered "86/400DX".  Check out the auction here.  You can also check out his website here.  Fazzino also has a piece for Dodger Stadium called 'Go Dodger Blue' that is worth checking out.

(Auction Link)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 10/27/2014 - Dodger Links - Logan White is Leaving Dodgers

Stay tuned.  Puig recently announced on his instagram that newly created Puig signature caps will be soon available on his website.  His website is here.

Below are some links to check out:

• RIP, Oscar Tavares.  Via Charlie Wilmoth at MLB Trade Rumors, "Oscar Taveras Dies In Car Accident" in the Dominican Republic.  Tarvares was a top prospect within the Cardinals organization.
• Via Mike Petriello at Dodgers Digest, "Can The Dodgers Even Sell Low On Andre Ethier?"

One way or another, a Dodger outfielder is moving. Maybe it’s Van Slyke, though that wouldn’t really free up much room. Maybe it’s Puig in some kind of massive deal, though that seems unlikely. Kemp’s second-half surge probably keeps him in the heart of the lineup. Carl Crawford could go, though he’s only mildly more valuable than Ethier is. Most likely, Ethier is going in a deal that sees the Dodgers A) eat 90% of his contract B) take on someone else’s problem or C) both.

• No!  Via Jon Heyman of CBS Sports on twitter, Scouting Director Logan White is leaving the Dodgers.

Logan White, well-respected dodgers scouting director who picked Kershaw, Kemp and the others, is taking job with Padres.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) October 27, 2014

• Old friend alert!  Former Dodger infielder Justin Sellers is now a Pirate, via @Pirates on twitter.
• Dodger pitching prospect Danny Coulombe recently celebrated an Avengers birthday, via his twitter.  Happy Birthday, Danny!

Thank you to my beautiful wife (of one week), Lauren Coulombe, for the Avengers birthday breakfast! pic.twitter.com/KomHeh1LVG
— Danny Coulombe (@DPCoulombe) October 26, 2014

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *