PENNANT FACTORY
Homemade pennants inspired by designs of the past
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Above: This ca. 1989 excerpt from a Salem Screen Printers catalog showcases the company's new line of caricature pennants commemorating the NBA, MLB, and NHL's biggest stars. | Between 1988 through 1991, Salem made and sold the hottest pennants on the market. All were easily identifiable because they took on a fairly consistent look: on the far left, along the spine, the player's team name appeared, written vertically; next came the player's caricature, which often depicted a comedic rendering of the player's features, e.g., oversized head, dangly legs, radiant smile, etc.; next came the player's name written in 3-D block lettering, followed by their team's logo, and finally, the player's number. Thanks to the stable of talented artist Salem employed, these pennants exemplified some of the best artwork ever to appear on felt. |
It's been a few decades since anyone made a good caricature pennant. And since the 1980s are cool again, I figured: why not re-introduce the caricature pennant to a new generation of fans? And, what better contemporary player to commemorate than three time Cy Young winner and 2020 World Series champion Clayton Kershaw, right? Look, if you're going to hang a pennant on your wall depicting a single player, you better have a personal connection to that player. That's even more true if you're going to make the pennant yourself, from scratch. For me, it was no a brainer. Kershaw's been one of the best players of my generation; and throughout his career, he's been a role model both on and off the field. So, to commemorate the south paw's many achievements in Dodger blue, I decided he needed to be immortalized on a caricature pennant. And because Salem Screen Printers is long gone, I would happily make this one myself. | Above: Clayton Kershaw tips his cap to the Dodger Stadium crowd on April 22, 2022 after becoming the club's all time strikeout leader. |
I based my design of course on Salem's 1989 caricature pennant for Orel Hershiser, yet another Dodger pitcher with a Cy Young pedigree. And as much as I want to tell you I drew Kershaw in caricature myself ... I could not. Thankfully, the internet is full of great artists and their artwork; and there I found an appropriate illustration of Mr. Kershaw that would translate well during the screen printing process. | Above: Salem's 1989 caricature pennant for the reigning National League Cy Young winner, Orel Hershiser, served as inspiration for my project. |
In 2018 I started a separate website called Pennant Fever dedicated to 20th century felt novelty manufacturers. It focuses on these companies' history, products, etc. Eventually, my interest in these businesses inspired me to start making my own pennants. THIS site you're currently viewing, Pennant Factory, is where I'll showcase some of the felt projects I've taken on. Most are reproductions of real pennants once for sale to the public. I've done my best to re-create the originals as authentically as possible based upon surviving photos, known dimensions, etc. Others are my original work, intended to look like the styles of yesteryear. Some turned out better than others. See for yourself. Enjoy! -KRB
All
1916 NL Champs Pennant
1952 + 1953 NL Champs Banners
1955/2020 WS Champs Banners
1955 WS Champs Pennant
1959 NL Champs Pennant
1963/2020 WS Champs Pennant
1965/2020 WS Champs Pennant
2020 WS Champs Burgee
"3-D Pennant" (ca. 1950s)
"B.B.C. Series" Pennant (ca. 1910)
Bklyn. Robins Pennant (ca. 1917)
"Burnt Leather Seal" (ca. 1940s) - Collegiate Mfg. Co.
"Caricature Pennant" - Clayton Kershaw
"Caricature Pennant" - GS Warriors
"Date Pennant" (ca. 1960s)
Dodger Stadium Scoreboard (1988)
Early 1910s Football Pennants - Reproduction Co.
"Grommet Pennant" - 1920 NL Champs Pennant
GW Forum Scoreboard (1998) - LA Kings
Jackie Robinson Pennant (1947)
Keezer "Emblem Pennant" (ca. 1950s)
"Kicked Football Series" Pennant (ca. 1940s) - Epstein Novelty Co.
LA Dodgers V. SF Giants "1st. GAME" Pennant (1958)
"Mascot Banner" - Chicago Pennant Co.
"Mascot Banner" - Collegiate Mfg. Co.
"Mascot Banner" (II) - Chicago Pennant Co.
"Monogram Pennant" (ca. 1910s)
ND "NO PARKING" Sign
ND Stadium Scoreboard (1988)
ND Stadium Signage
Notre Dame Banner (1931)
Notre Dame Pennant (1925)
Notre Dame Pennant (ca. 1965)
Oakland Raiders (AFL) Pennant (1960) - ADFLAG
Oakland Raiders (AFL) Pennant (ca. 1960) - Trench
Phila. Athletics Pennant (ca. 1910)
"Photo Pennant" (ca. 1960s)
Schaefer Promo Sign (1955)
Staples Ctr. Banners - Lakers
Staples Ctr. Banners - LA Kings
"Trophy Banner" (ca. 1920)
Vin Scully Tribute Banner (2022)
"WELCOME....' Banner" - Carly Bros.
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