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Lot # 1791: 1950s "Willie The Rooter" Baltimore Colts Original Hand Painted Gameday Sign

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Description

Certified as the most prominent patient in "the world's largest outdoor insane asylum," Willie Andrews (1919-1957) made quite an impact from the stands, as the ultimate 1950s Baltimore Colts superfan. Famous for his inspiring signs, "Wille the Rooter" used his creations to whip the Memorial Stadium crowd into a frenzy during Sunday home games. Offered is an original hand-painted game day sign that was crafted between the 1954 and 1957 seasons and displayed by Andrews at a game.

The bottom line on the offered 28” x 22” heavy cardboard based artifact is “Beat the Rams”, with a cheerleader style verse above that reads “The Bear Squeezed, The Lions Clawed, Win or Lose we’re the Same, Let’s Go Colts, Win this Game”. This rabble-rousing directive retains a considerable degree of integrity, with a few small bits of surface paint loss, and some light ink migration streaks. The perimeter of this one-of-a-kind sign is covered with masking tape, and there are pinholes at the corners and top-center. All things considered, this vintage expression of fan passion is a nostalgic prize, drenched in period authenticity.

About the creator: William Henry "Willie the Rooter" Andrews was the original Baltimore Colts super fan, known for leading cheers and carrying homemade signs around Memorial Stadium in the 1950s. An automobile painter by trade, he was famous for creating signs when he was supposed to be working. His legacy regarding "signs" includes: Homemade Game Signs: Willie was a fixture at the stadium, circling the ballpark to lead 60,000 people in cheers while carrying signs he crafted himself. Paper-Mache Horse Head: In addition to signs, Willie was often seen wearing a blue and white paper-mache horse's head to rally the crowd. Willie's impact was so significant that when he died suddenly in December 1957 (aged 38 years), legends such as Johnny Unitas served as his pallbearers, and the ballclub provided his family with lifetime season tickets.

 

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