This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/19/2016
Named for the town in Wisconsin where the statues were produced, the Hartland Plastics Company had already been in existence for several years before they began production of these baseball player figurines. When the 1958 season began, the initial lineup was available at stadium souvenir stands, consisting of Eddie Mathews, Warren Spahn, Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron. The reaction from consumers was resoundingly positive, as fans raved about the quality and detail of the intricately-painted sculptures. By 1960, the roster had swelled to 18 players, nearly all of whom would one day find their way into Cooperstown, with the additions of Banks, Aparicio, Fox, Snider, Drysdale, Berra, Musial, Mays, Williams, Maris, Killebrew, and two others who would emerge as the two toughest pieces in the set, Rocky Colavito and Dick Groat. Offered here is a complete set of the original 18 in overall NM or better condition save for Eddie Mathews, which is EX/MT due to some fading in or around the uniform trim. The Duke Snider has been repainted and the Colavito's bat has been glued in, but this is an incredibly well-preserved collection of the most collectible baseball figurines ever produced.