****We are currently in the process of setting up the web site for our next Online/Phone Sports Memorabilia Auction. The auction end date will be Friday June 29, 2007. You are welcome to preview the auction as the site is being built by clicking on the Auction Button on the top of the page. We will open the auction for bidding once all the items are posted.

**** Just a little note about Joe Marasco who was kind enough to write an article about his expertise- Hockey Bobbing Heads. Joe has been a customer and friend for a number of years. We look forward to seeing him each year at the National and our frequent talks on the phone are always welcome. Joe is probably the foremost authority on Hockey Bobbing Heads in the world. His collection is amazing and includes some of the rarest dolls in the hobby. Joe was best of friends with the late Larry Reed. For those who didn't know Mr. Reed, he was affectionately known as the Bobbing Head Doctor (he was a master restorer of bobbing heads). Joe has taken up the mantle for Mr Reed and has started doing repair work on bobbing heads. Having learned from the master, Joe is continuing Larry's legacy. All in the hobby miss Larry, but he has left his trade in good hands. Thanks Joe!

If you want to visit Joe's website, please go to http://www.frontiernet.net/~hknodder/Index.shtml

Now enjoy the article.

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Odd-Ball Hockey Bobbing head Dolls   by Joe Marasco

I have been collecting hockey bobbing head dolls from the 60's & 70's for quite a few years. I wanted to share some pictures of a few of my prized possessions. My favorite dolls have to be the NY Rangers, Detroit Red Wings & Chicago Black hawks dolls with glued on blinking eyes. I feel that there are 6 dolls in the "BLINKER" series; 1 for each of the "original 6" teams. I am aware of 4 of the 6 teams. As you can see in the picture below, there was a player and a goalie figure. I have no idea if there is a goalie for each team. I was told that the dolls were part of a mail-in promotion by the Laura Secord chocolate company in Canada back in the 60's. The dolls are made of composition and have a white sticker on the bottom that has "JAPAN" stamped on it. They are 7 1/4" tall. Head is 2 1/2" in diameter and 3" tall. Each doll has a 7/16" diameter eye glued in position that blinks when moved. If anyone has any of these dolls or can share or correct my information, please write me at = hknodder@frontiernet.net

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS "BLINKER" A collector told me that a Chicago doll was on display in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. After contacting the H.O.F., I was sent the picture shown on left (Aug/2001). I was told that the doll was in the Household Family Zone display called the "Attic". I understand that the display was taken down in 2004.

            (Mascots or prototype dolls)

Baltimore Clipper --------- unique body & head (only hockey doll to have a magnet in base)

Portland Buckaroos ------- unique body & head

Boston Bruins PLASTIC prototype

Salt Lake City Eagles ----- unique head with a standard gold base body