PFC Veeck Reports, 1943

In honor of Veterans' Day, here's a photo of our very own Private First Class Bill Veeck reporting for duty.

Marine Private William L. Veeck, 29, who started out selling pop in baseball parks and now owns the profitable Milwaukee Brewers ball club, starts a new career -that of a leatherneck. Veeck is reporting to his recruit tent at San Diego, following his initial equipment issue on Dec. 24, 1943. — Marine Corps photo from Acme

Mini Pennant c. 1950s

I just picked up this cute little pennant on eBay. It's smaller than the 1936-37 Red Ball Gum pennant we looked at a couple years ago. And unlike that other pennant, it eschews graphics altogether in favor of steeply-angled text trailing down to a point: "MILWAUKEE BREWERS" in gold piant on dark brown felt.

At 2⅞ by 1⅞, this is a very tiny souvenir of a bygone age.

We can date this to the American Association Brewers (as opposed to the later American League incarnation) by other exemplars from American Association clubs. I have photos of similar pennants for the Louisville Colonels (in burgandy), the Minneapolis Millers (navy) and St. Paul Saints (green).

Beyond that, I don't have any information on this pennant. I'm presuming that it was a premium, but for what? Baseball cards? Cigarettes? Anybody know?