Parker Brothers’ Mid-1940s Tom Hamilton’s Pigskin Football Game.
Lot 489. Parker Brothers’ Mid-1940s Tom Hamilton’s Pigskin Football Game. A star halfback at the U.S. Naval Academy 1924-26, Hamilton became a Naval aviator who achieved the rank of rear admiral. He also coached at Navy (head coach) and Pitt (assistant), served as athletic director at both schools, and played a key role in establishing what is now the Pac-12 Conference. The game with his name is undated but apparently from as early as 1945. The date for it is often given as 1946. An earlier version was sold in the mid-1930s. This game, which has nm contents, is accompanied by a small Parker Brothers booklet that promotes other games from the company. Several of these games were first offered in 1941, and none was introduced later than 1941. More importantly, the game also comes with a flyer promoting the “‘Nick’ Basca Memorial Football League.” Michael Martin “Nick” Basca played halfback for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1941. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, became a tank commander, and was killed in a German attack in France on Nov. 11, 1944. Except for one red peg (there are many others), the game is complete. Period graphics on the “Chart-O-Graph” game component box and the box lid are attractive. The base of the box has a single tear along one side panel, and the lid is vg-ex with wear along the edges, a small scuff in the upper right and crease in the lower left. This game is excellent for display. Winning Bid $25.
