Rising From The Ashes...I Hope

September 16, 2007 12:40 PM

How can I find memorabilia of any type for a long-defunct minor-league football team? Way back in the late 60s-early 70s, my father was in private practice in Phoenix, Arizona, and as a hobby he also was the owner/president of a minor-league football team, the Phoenix Blazers.

I've tried Googling several times over the last few years, but only get results for the Portland Trailblazers and some baseball team named the Blazers. And no luck on e-Bay, no matter how creative I try to be. I'd like to be able to present my father with some posters, programs, advertisement, cards, tickets, anything at all for his 75th birthday.

Any advice on where to look for Phoenix Blazers paraphernalia? Much obliged for any assistance!

posted by davidmsc to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (7 answers total)

Well, you say you've tried eBay, but perhaps you should setup a favorite search or two in "My eBay" that will catch items as they are listed. That way you'll be more likely to catch items as they are listed. On the down side it may take months before anything is listed on eBay.

Alternatively you could hit the phone book (or google) and try finding sports memorabilia collectors and dealers in and around Phoenix. (Don't rule out coin collectors or comic book shops. Collectors tend to dabble sometimes in other memorabilia...) Call around, introduce yourself and explain why you're looking for this stuff and maybe someone will come through for you. Good luck!
posted by wfrgms at 12:57 PM on September 16, 2007

You might want to call Ebbets Field Flannels and ask them for help as a long shot to track down a shirt or logo. They seem to be a relatively small outfit, but their customer service has always been fantastic - I mean above board outstanding. They can be pricey, but I try to order from them when I can because it's always been great quality as well.
posted by librarianamy at 1:18 PM on September 16, 2007

You might try contacting a sportswriter at a Phoenix newspaper; they might have additional contacts in the community that might have something about the team.
posted by TedW at 1:41 PM on September 16, 2007

Response by poster: Good ideas all -- will try them -- thanks!
posted by davidmsc at 4:31 PM on September 16, 2007

Adding to wfrgms: Try the local historical society(ies), libraries, and also antique shops. Eventually you'll run into somebody who's been around long enough and knows just the person to talk to.

You might consider as an alternative a surprise guest -- somebody connected with the team who remembers him fondly.
posted by dhartung at 7:40 PM on September 16, 2007

Also, if you have money to burn and absolutely can't find anything vintage then you could potentially have a graphic artist recreate the team's logo from an old photo (check your local news archives at the library) and then have that transfered to a t-shirt, coffee mug, or printed and framed.

Finding a graphic artist who could do this work would be another question entirely...
posted by wfrgms at 7:56 PM on September 16, 2007

Also might try putting an ad in the local Phoenix paper, looking for memorabilia. Craigslist as well, but lots of people don't read that.
posted by JanetLand at 5:12 AM on September 17, 2007