Bobbleheads Bobble Sniper

The Hall Celebrates Groundhog Day With A Mantle Mate Bobblehead

by | Feb 2, 2022 | Sniper Rants

This morning, on Groundhog Day, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled a limited-edition Groundhog Mantle Mate Bobblehead. The groundhog is the newest addition to the Mantle Mate series which features cartoonish bobbleheads celebrating nearly a dozen holidays and iconic characters. The Mantle Mates are produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum and sit on any flat surface such as a mantle, desk, shelf, or table with their legs hanging over the edge.

 The bobbleheads are currently only available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store and at the museum in Milwaukee. The bobbleheads, which just arrived and ship now, are $25 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order.

Groundhog Day is a popular North American tradition that is observed in the United States and Canada on February 2nd. The day derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on February 2nd sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks. However, if the groundhog does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early.

The Groundhog Day ceremony held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, centering on a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil, has become the most frequently attended ceremony while other places in the United States and Canada also have held similar events. The earliest mention of Groundhog Day is an entry on February 2, 1840, in the diary of James L. Morris of Morgantown, in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

The first reported news of a Groundhog Day observance was made by the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in 1886 when they reported, “up to the time of going to press, the beast has not seen its shadow”. However, it was not until the following year in 1887 that the first “official” Groundhog Day was commemorated in Punxsutawney, when a group made a trip to the Gobbler’s Knob part of town to consult the groundhog. People have gathered annually at the spot for the event ever since, and the groundhog was named Phil in 1961. Clymer Freas, who was city editor at the Punxsutawney Spirit, is credited as the “father” who conceived the idea of “Groundhog Day”. It has also been suggested that Punxsutawney was where all the Groundhog Day events originated, later spreading to other parts of the United States and Canada.

“Our Mantle Mates Bobblehead Series has been very popular, and we’re excited to be adding the groundhog to the lineup on Groundhog Day,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “It’s always fun to see whether the groundhog sees its shadow and we think this bobblehead will become a fun decoration to celebrate a unique day and tradition.”

Morgan Freeman And Ole Miss Didn’t Miss A Beat On His Bobblehead Night

by | Jan 21, 2022 | Sniper Rants

Is it safe to say that Morgan Freeman is the face of Ole Miss basketball? Quite possibly, as the famous actor often frequents Ole Miss basketball games on the regular. Back on February 5th, the school announced that Freeman would be honored by the school’s basketball program with a bobblehead given to the first 1,000 fans who enter The Pavilion. Fans who attended this game sure got their money’s worth as the most iconic voice of Ole Miss went to the game to celebrate with fans. 

I recently came upon this gem of an item as it’s the actual 1 of 1 original prototype of Freeman. The actor is decked out in his casual blue jeans and red Ole Miss zip up pullover. He’s tipping his white cap to acknowledge the loyal fans near his center court seats.

Anyone who’s seen a movie with Freeman in it knows how inspirational he is, as the many roles he plays in his films is downright outstanding. AGP did phenomenal work manufacturing this beauty as fans sure held on to them as there’s not many on the open market. Here’s to a killer SGA bobblehead and incredible actor. 

Sniper

 

Another Bernie Viral Moment Leads To Another Creative Bobblehead

by | Jan 21, 2022 | Sniper Rants

This morning, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled two limited-edition bobbleheads of United States Senator Bernie Sanders, commemorating a pair of Senator Sanders’ memorable moments. The new bobbleheads are being released on the first anniversary of the viral Bernie Sanders Inauguration Day Mittens moment. The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum released a bobblehead commemorating the moment within hours of Bernie going viral at the inauguration. The first bobblehead features Bernie with the bird on his podium and the second features the viral “I am Once Again Asking…” meme.

The Bernie Bird Podium Bobblehead new bobblehead commemorates a viral moment from Bernie’s 2016 campaign. During a rally at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, on March 25th, Sanders was interrupted mid-speech when a small bird perched itself on the podium in front of him as the crowd reacted with thunderous applause. The moment later became a viral sensation with the hashtag #BirdieSanders. The bobblehead features a flabbergasted Sanders standing behind a podium and microphone with his arms in the air. He is looking at the bird, which is directly in front of him and next to a sign which reads, “A Future To Believe In – Bernie Sanders.” The base also includes the senator’s name. In addition to Sanders’ head, the bird also bobbles. Each bobblehead is individually numbered to 2,016 and they are only available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. The bobbleheads, which are expected to ship in June, are $30 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order. Order here…. https://store.bobbleheadhall.com/collections/bobbleheads?aff=11

The Bernie “I am Once Again Asking” Bobblehead commemorates a viral meme that originated during Bernie’s 2020 campaign. On December 30th, 2019, Sanders tweeted a short video imploring supporters to donate to his campaign before the Federal Election Commission fundraising deadline. “I am once again asking for your financial support,” he said at the beginning of the video. A screenshot of that phrase became a popular meme imagining various scenarios in which monetary donations or support are being requested. The bobblehead features Sanders in a hooded khaki parka. The backing makes it appear as though he is standing outside. The bottom of the base includes the phrase “I am once again asking” with the remainder of the base painted with chalkboard paint so that the rest of the phrase can be written and changed. Each bobblehead, which includes a piece of chalk, is individually numbered to 2,020 and they are only available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. The bobbleheads, which are expected to ship in April, are $30 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order.

The original Bernie Sanders Inauguration Day Bobblehead commemorates the viral moment when Sanders was pictured watching the Inauguration ceremony to swear in Joe Biden as the nation’s 46th President. The bobblehead features a masked Sanders, wearing a jacket and mittens, sitting on a folding chair with his legs crossed on a white podium base. To date, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum has sold nearly 30,000 of the original Bernie Sanders Inauguration Day Bobbleheads, making it the museum’s second best seller behind the original Dr. Anthony Fauci Bobblehead. The bobblehead of Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the 101-year-old basketball team chaplain at Loyola University Chicago, was the museum’s top seller before the Fauci and Sanders bobbleheads. The Hall of Fame and Museum released subsequent bobbleheads commemorating the viral inauguration day moment: Bernie Sanders Standing bobblehead, a Dashboard/Mini bobblehead, a Mantle Mate bobblehead, and an Ornament bobblehead.

Political bobbleheads were some of the earliest bobbleheads available for purchase starting in 1960. John F. Kennedy was the first politician captured in bobblehead form and bobbleheads of presidents, candidates, and other political figures have remained popular ever since. Bobbleheads of all 46 United States Presidents have now been produced with the “Neglected Presidents” Series filling in the missing president bobbleheads.

“The Bernie Sanders Inauguration Day Bobbleheads have taken on a life of their own,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “Shortly after releasing the original inauguration day bobblehead, we received a lot of requests for bobbleheads featuring the bird moment and the viral meme, and we think fans will love them.”

UNLV’s Mascot Name Is Retired But Not Before These Two Bobbleheads Were Manufactured

by | Jan 19, 2022 | Sniper Rants

The University of Nevada-Las Vegas recently announced that they are retiring the Hey Reb! mascot. However, the school is still keeping its Rebels nickname. The decision to retire the mascot comes after UNLV removed a statue of Hey Reb! last spring due to its Confederate roots. 

Hey Reb! was originally created in 1982 by Las Vegas artist Mike Miller and was an ode to western trailblazers of the 1800s. The school has updated the mascot on three different occasions prior to the decision to retire it.

According to UNLV’s website, Hey Reb! has been labeled with quite a bit of criticism in recent years and many people employed by the school worked on a solution that keep’s the mascot’s history intact. As of today, UNLV has yet to determine a new mascot but fans, students and alumni will be pleased that the school is keeping the Rebels name. 

I recently acquired a Hey Reb! prototype bobblehead as I’ve never seen these before on any market. This hard to find mascot bobble has Reb holding up the LV sign with his fingers to show who’s heart still live in Las Vegas. The base has a “Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada” emblem as Reb’s roots go deep in Sin City. The large cowboy hat slightly covers the eyes of Reb as he sure is an intimidating mascot toward fellow opponents.

Until the University decides on a new mascot, fans of UNLV will always recognize Hey Reb! as their crowd pleaser.

 

Sniper

The Bobble Hall Releases Their First College Athlete Bobblehead- McKenzie Milton

by | Jan 14, 2022 | Sniper Rants

MILWAUKEE – This morning, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled two additional limited edition bobbleheads of former University of Central Florida and current Florida State University quarterback McKenzie Milton. The new bobbleheads feature Milton in white and black jerseys with gold trim while the first version featured Milton in a garnet and gold jersey. Milton previously led the University of Central Florida Knights to a perfect 13-0 season as a sophomore before a devastating injury caused the native of Hawaii to miss the 2019 and 2020 seasons. In December, he was named Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year

The Milton bobbleheads are positioned to throw the football while standing on a football-shaped base bearing his name. Sporting eye black in the shape of a cross, he is wearing a black jersey with white numbers and gold trim in the first bobblehead and a white jersey with black numbers and gold trim in the second. His number 10 jersey has his name on the back. Each bobblehead is individually numbered to 2,022 and they are now available for pre-order through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. The bobbleheads, which are expected to ship to customers in May, are $30 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order. Available here for purchase. https://store.bobbleheadhall.com/collections/bobbleheads/products/mckenziemilton?aff=11

The limited edition bobbleheads are being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in conjunction with McKenzie Milton. Milton’s bobbleheads are the first of a college athlete to be released by the Hall of Fame and Museum since the NIL rules changes in 2021.

A native of Kapolei, Hawaii, Milton was the Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior at Mililani High School in 2014. In 34 career games, he compiled 9,113 yards of total offense (7,303 passing) with 99 touchdowns. Milton played three tremendous seasons at UCF, throwing for 8,683 yards and 72 TDs, and compiling a 27-6 record as a starter. As a sophomore, Milton led the Knights to a 12-0 record in the regular season – two years after the program went 0-12 – and finished eighth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. In the Peach Bowl, UCF defeated SEC runner-up Auburn, 34-27, before a crowd of 71,109 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Milton was selected as the game’s Offensive MVP after passing for 245 yards and two TDs and rushing for 116 yards and one TD.

In the final regular-season game of his junior season against South Florida on November 23rd, 2018, Milton suffered a devastating injury to his right knee, which caused him to miss the 2019 and 2020 seasons. After graduating from UCF and completing a long road to recovery, Milton transferred to FSU to close out his collegiate career. In the 2021 season, he appeared in six games (four starts) and threw for 775 yards and three TDs and was named the ACC’s Brian Piccolo Award winner, which honors the league’s most courageous player. After the season, Florida State accepted an invitation to the 2022 Hula Bowl, which was moved from Honolulu to UCF’s on-campus stadium this year and will be played on Saturday, January 15, 2022.

“Following the release of McKenzie’s bobblehead last week, we’ve been inundated with emails and calls from fans asking for a version with McKenzie in jerseys with the Central Florida colors,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “We’re excited to be releasing these two additional bobbleheads for fans. The comeback story of ‘KZ’ is an inspirational one and it was great to see him get back on the field with the Seminoles in 2021 after playing three memorable seasons with the UCF Knights. These bobbleheads are a symbol of resilience and toughness.”