It's been awhile since I've shared any unique Dodgers' finds I've come across on eBay, so I figured I'd get back into the grove by sharing something a little fun. Featured here is an eight inch painted solid bronze sculpture by an Southern California artist named Ron Lee found on eBay. (check out his website here) He is noted for creating numerous clown based statues, and one of them features what looks like an LA Dodgers "Bum" on the pitching mound.
The left-handed pitcher is not wearing an actual Dodger uniform (I'm sure copyright issues prevented that), but it's clear to me that this little fellow is supposed to be a Dodger. On his cap is "LA Bums," a clear reference to Emmett Kelly's Brooklyn Dodger "Bum" depiction, and on his back is the number 53 (likely for Dodger Hall of Famer Don Drysdale). Strangely, the name on his back is "Lefty," and as we all know Drysdale was a right-hander. BTW, the statue weight 10 lbs!
According to the seller this statue is a part of Ron Lee's Emmett Kelly Jr. collection. In 2002 Ron Lee received a license from Emmett Kelly Jr. to depict him on limited edition statues. As you may know, Emmett Kelly Jr. is the son of the great Emmett Kelly that used to grace Ebbets Field in the 1940's and 1950's. He followed his father's footsteps and became just as famous. Unfortunately, I don't think this is a part of those works by Lee. The seller states that this statue was produced in 1987 - many years before Lee's license with Kelly Jr.
I have no idea what something like this is worth, but I do know I would never pay the over $3K asking the price the seller is seeking. That just seems steep. Way too steep.
What I do know is that I would love to add something like this to my collection.
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I own several of Ron Lee Sculpture's, LA Bums is one of the them.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how to find out the value of them???