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1880s Heubach GIANT Baseball Bisque Figures (4) - Finest of the Two Known Sets
The rarest of the rare. These giant hand-painted porcelain bisque figures are of the highest quality. They stand up to 16" tall and are far more impressive than the much more commonly seen 12.5" figures. In fact, they are also at least 100 times rarer than that "normal" large size. The extra few inches might not seem like much, but the mass, incredible extra detail and pantheon quality of these figures makes this a whole different ballgame (pardon the pun). They are in fact very different than the norm and were sold for many multiples originally. Hence, the rarity as very few were imported, as few could afford them. Also, because of their fine nature, they were EXTREMELY fragile and few survived. Other than the two sets we know of (the other heavily restored), we have only seen a handful of singles in addition. Heubach was a fine 19th century German maker of porcelain figures and these were made for import into the United States, hence the subject matter of a game pretty much unknown to the locals. The detail is simply remarkable, from their striking striped pillbox caps, down to the pinpoint laces of their spikes. The look is pure Victoriana with the typical cherubic look of the period, mirrored in 19th century children's books and the McLaughlin toys and games of the period. In fact, we believe the 1880s large sized McLaughlin baseball games were actually what the firm used as a guide to create these. The commonalties are just too many to ignore. The colors are striking and brilliantly hand done by the artisans working in their shops. All have the impressed German manufacturer stampings "Geschuetzt-Gesetzlich" under the base: 1) Throwing fielder appx 16" tall with extravagant hand-painted red pinstriped uniform. This is a rarely seen figure from this collection. In full throwing motion, it is in NM condition. 2) 16" Pitching figurine is hand-painted with blue pinstripe uniform to potentially compete with the others. 3) Rarest of them all, the 13" crouched fielding figurine does NOT exist in any of the sets. It was simply too difficult to economically produce him in the less expensive sizes. He is brilliantly detailed in hand-painted blue pinstripes. Hands on knees and at the ready he simply a dream. 4) 16" batting figurine with wood bat replacement is ready to strike in red pinstripes. This is the only the second set we have ever seen offered. Considered the pinnacle of German porcelain craftsmanship, who were the finest porcelain makers in the world. These are among the finest display pieces you will ever see or be blessed to own.
Past Sports Card, Memorabilia, Non-Sports Card and Collecitble Auction Items
Other past auction items that may be of interest to you.
Circa 1908 Cuban Giants Negro League Baseball Real Photo Team Postcard
1860s General Abner Doubleday CdV by Mathew Brady
Rare 1850s Baseball Award of Merit
Rare 1870s Baseball Stereocard From Morrisville, Vermont
1880s "First Innings" Victorian Woven Silk Stevensgraph - Only One Known, In Original Frame
Civil War Baseball "Muffins" Scorecard - One of the Earliest Known
19th Century "Our Nine" Cigar Box Inner Label
