***This week's Blog entry was written by long-time friend and hobbyist Frank Parrella. His passion for bobbing heads is pure as he collects only for enjoyment. He loves the Yankees (a man after my own heart) and has added to his collection hybrid dolls made to his specifications. We thank him for his take on this style of collecting. We urge all of you to send your own thoughts on the hobby or your special interest.***

"THE BOYS THAT NEVER WERE"- by Frank Parrella

INTRODUCTION

You will never see the nodders displayed on the following pages in any publication or on any website devoted to describing the sports nodders produced in Japan during the Golden Era from 1960 through the early 1970s. 

THEY SIMPLY DID NOT EXIST.

These creations are the results of my desire to own nodder variations that were non-existent. Most of the nodders are New York Yankees as I have been a fan of the team since I was a little boy. They are the collaborative efforts of discussions between myself and my good friend Joe Marasco, who is well versed in the restoration of nodders. The discussions primarily centered on doll components and colors, color shades, decal configurations and final finish.  The Actual restorations along with final details associated with each restoration action were deferred to his discretion and expertise. It is worthy to note that, with the exception of the original White Square Base Yankees elbows out variation, "good condition" nodders were not modified to produce these variations. They were created and assembled from damaged parts that were restored by Joe Marasco.

The sole purpose for creation of the nodders was to add to my existing collection of sports and non-sports nodders. They were not created to be duplicated for resale. They were commissioned for my own enjoyment. They are truly "one-of-one" pieces and it is my intention to keep their singular nature as such.

I thought it would be nice to share my passion for the hobby by documenting  one aspect of my nodder collecting experience that is different from main stream collecting but is also appealing to me. My intention is not to diminish or degrade the purist view for collecting real, unaltered examples of nodders from the Golden Era. I too have several fine examples of both original and restored nodders from the period that I truly enjoyed collecting and enjoy displaying. I ask that you keep these thoughts in mind as a precursor to reading this document. My hope is that you will enjoy its contents.

New York Yankees

This nodder had a head from the round Green Base Series and a body from the White Square Base Series. The original base decal (New York) was replaced with a "Yankees" decal.

New York Yankees

This nodder has a head from the round Green Base Series and a body from the White Square Base Series with the base painted green. The only difference between this nodder and the original green Square Base Series issue is that the hair on this nodder is brown instead of black.

New York Yankees

This nodder has a head from the round Green Base Series and a Los Angeles Angels body from the White Square Base Series with the base painted gold. Note the bat is on the left hand side in this mold. The original Yankees mold (pictured in the White Square Base nodder to the far left) has the bat on the right hand side. The interlocking "NY" logo has been embossed on to this Angels mold. The base decal is from the Gold Base Football/Hockey Series. 

New York Yankees

This nodder is an original White Square Base Series elbows out variation that has the hair painted black, the base painted green and the original base decal (New York) replaced with a "Yankees" decal.