This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/7/2021
NOTE: Much of the chalk smears are original to the board, and being in "as is" condition as last used on December 18th, 1994.
Incredibly historic 1953-1994 Green Bay Packers chalkboard used for games at Milwaukee County Stadium. Sold by SM2G, the marketing firm that handled the sale of the seats and artifacts from Milwaukee County Stadium. Was used in the Packers offices and locker room by the Packers coaching staff while they played their games at County Stadium. Gene Ronzani, Lisle Blackbourn, Vince Lombardi, Dan Devine, Bart Starr, Forrest Gregg, Lindy Infante, and Mike Holgrem all had access to chalk up the winning X's and O's of the weekly matchup. One head coach, in a fit of anger due to his team's first half performance, tossed a heavy object in frustration, hitting the black board. The projectile caused damage, leaving the beginning of a hole which broke the board's surface. Who was the enraged coach? The great Lombardi himself, Forrest Gregg, possibly Mike Holgrem, probably not the mild mannered Bart Starr.
Sold in 2000 by the sports marketing company SM2G (who also represented Brett Favre during the era), the black board was housed in the office at Milwaukee County Stadium where the Green Bay Packers kept a permanent office. MEARS company president Troy R Kinunen happened to be involved in the inventorying and later sale of this rare artifact as a representative agent for the buyer. After the County Stadium sale, this rare blackboard was safely and securely stored until being offered by MEARS Online Auctions.
Specifically for this auction, local Milwaukee artist Mark Kurtula was hired to create the chalk ghost image of coach Vince Lombardi. To further accent the piece, and actual recreation of a set of hand written plays which were documented by PSA to be in the hand of coach Lombardi was included by the artist in the design for this piece.
A truly rare piece with letters of provenance from Sonny Bando formerly of SM2G Sports marketing and LOA from MEARS. Actual overall size is approximately 49" wide x 70" tall. The actual chalkboard measures 49" wide x 37" high. An inventory code, 63532 is twice written on the edges of the board and was applied by the Packers for fixed asset accounting.
Local pickup encouraged. Shipping can be arranged, but may substantial.