Lot # 1827: 1960s Fred Kail Baltimore Colts Joe Jolter Lineman Statues (2) with 10" & 5" Figures

Display appeal sets the hook for these (2) 1960s Fred Kail Baltimore Colts "Joe Jolter" statues. Founded in 1953, the Colts were still a relatively new team when Kail first created this iconic statue type circa 1956, predating both the popular Hartland Plastics football statues, and the delightful Japanese bobblehead series. Inspired by Colts Hall of Famer Art Donovan, the offered 1960s Joe Jolter statues were produced after sculptor/artist Kail signed a marketing deal for production in Japan. Kail, who passed away earlier this year, was a Baltimore area treasure, not just for his whimsical ceramic statues, but also for the 8' bronze behemoths of Johnny Unitas and Ray Lewis serving as beacons of greatness outside M&T Bank Stadium, just off I-95 in Baltimore.

Standing 10", the large Jolter figure of the offered pair is a coin bank with a rubber stopper in place. The back of the base is stamped with an FAK copyright, and a Santa Claus Productions/Made in Japan gold foil sticker is affixed to the underside, next the stopper. The blue helmet stripe paint is unevenly worn, and there are small flecks of paint loss on the jersey and socks, mainly on the back, leading to an Ex rating.

The companion 5" figure has a moderately worn Colts logo on the front of the base. The same Santa Claus Productions sticker is seen under the base. Sporadic minor wear is noted on the helmet stripe and horseshoe logos, the jersey collar, number 00 decals, and the back of the jersey, leading to a Vg-Ex+ rating. Otherwise this statue punches above its weight in the appeal department.