Circa 1969 "I Want My Maypo" Original Advertising Production Photos (8) Including Mantle, Chamberlain, and Unitas

Sold For:

$1,860

Year:

1969

Auction:

2019 Fall

Lot #:

2197

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Collection of six exceedingly rare original production photos, plus two advertising proofs, used in the famous "I want my Mapo" advertising campaign. This collection has been consigned directly from a gentleman who worked on the Maypo advertising project and they have been in his sole possession since the time of the campaign. The series of "I want my Maypo" advertisements, created during the late 1960s by legendary art director George Lois, was one of the most memorable promotional campaigns ever created. Employing many of the top athletes of the day, such as Mickey Mantle, Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain, Johnny Unitas, and Ray Nitschke, the advertisements (both on television and in print) featured the players crying at the table as they petulantly whined "I want my Maypo." The sight of not just grown men, but the country's top sports stars, carrying on like infants left an indelible image in the minds of consumers and quickly made Maypo the top selling hot cereal for youngsters. The offered collection consists of six original production photos, plus two proofs with pasted captions. The individual photos (measuring approximately 13 x 14 inches) are each affixed onto a larger cardboard mount and covered with onion skin for protection. Editorial notations are written in the margins. The six athletes represented, respectively, in the photos, are Mickey Mantle, Wilt Chamberlain, Johnny Unitas, Oscar Robertson, Ray Nitschke, and Don Meredith. The two advertising proofs feature dual photos with the athletes identified in print along the top. The pasted caption reading "I want my Maypo" appears below each image. Like the photos, each proof (17 x 11 inches) is covered with onion skin and features editorial notations in the margins. The first features Mickey Mantle and Johnny Unitas, while the second pictures Wilt Chamberlain and Don Meredith. Each of the pieces remains in Excellent condition overall. Total: 8 items. The substantial size/weight of this item requires that there will be an additional shipping charge for this lot. Reserve $500. Estimate (open).