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The Bobble Hall Swims To Victory With The Release Of Two Olympic Swimmers

by | Feb 24, 2022 | Sniper Rants

MILWAUKEE- This morning, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled limited-edition bobbleheads featuring swimmers Caeleb Dressel and Lydia Jacoby. Dressel is a seven-time Olympic gold medalist and world record-holder in three events while Jacoby won a gold medal in the 100-meter breaststroke as a 17-year-old at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. This marks the first bobblehead of both Dressel and Jacoby, and both bobbleheads are being produced by the Museum in conjunction with Dressel and Jacoby.

The smiling and wide-eyed Dressel bobblehead, with water up to his waist, is raising his index fingers on both hands over his head, signaling No. 1 after a gold-medal performance in the 100-meter freestyle at the Tokyo Olympics. The base, which bears his name, is transparent. Wearing a white USA warmup jacket and pants, the smiling Jacoby bobblehead has a gold medal around her neck. With her arms extended over her head, she is holding flowers in her right hand as she celebrates her victory in the 100-meter breaststroke in Tokyo. She is standing on a patriotic base bearing her name in metallic gold.

Each bobblehead 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 July, are $30 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order. https://store.bobbleheadhall.com/collections/bobbleheads?aff=11

Billed as the heir to swimming superstar Michael Phelps, Dressel did not disappoint at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as he emerged as the world’s most dominant swimmer. The 25-year-old Florida native won gold medals in the 50 and 100 freestyle and the 100 butterfly. He was also a member of the 400 freestyle and 400 medley gold-medal relays to become only the fifth American swimmer to win five gold medals in a single Olympic Games since 1970, joining Phelps, Mark Spitz, Eric Heiden, and Matt Biondi. He also became the first swimmer in the history of swimming at the modern Olympic Games to win gold medals in the 50 and 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly at the same Olympics. That pushed his total to seven golds after winning his first two in Rio de Janeiro in the 400 freestyle and 400 medley relays.

A member of the Cali Condors in the International Swimming League, Dressel holds world records in the 100 butterfly (long course and short course), 50 freestyle (short course) and 100 individual medley (short course). Dressel won 10 NCAA titles at the University of Florida from 2015-18. He also won a record seven gold medals at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships, nine medals (six gold) at the 2018 World Swimming Championships and eight medals (six gold) at the 2019 World Aquatics Championships. Also known for his tattoos, Dressel’s bobbleheads will include the face of an alligator on his left forearm, an eagle with the flag of America on his left shoulder, a bear on his upper left arm, and the American flag on his left forearm.

A native of Anchorage, Alaska, Jacoby became the first swimmer from Alaska to qualify for an Olympic Games when she qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics in the 100-meter breaststroke. The 17-year-old was one of 11 teenage female swimmers to make the team. After ranking third overall after the semifinals with a time of 1:05.72, Jacoby had a winning time of 1:04.95 in the final to garner Team USA’s first gold medal. It was the first medal won by an Alaskan-born swimmer at an Olympic Games. Her time also set a new National Age Group record for American girls in the 17-18-year-old age group. On the final day of competition, Jacoby won a silver medal as part of the 400-meter medley relay. Time magazine later acknowledged her as a “fresh face” highlight of the U.S. swim team at the Olympic Games.

Following the Olympics, Jacoby competed in the 2021 FINA Swimming World Cup and was the overall highest scoring female American competitor in the international competition. She won silver medals in the 50-meter breaststroke in Berlin and Budapest and in the 100-meter breaststroke in Budapest. She also won a bronze medal in the 100-meter breaststroke in Berlin. A graduate of Seward High School in Seward, Alaska, Jacoby committed to swimming in college for the University of Texas starting in the fall of 2022.

When asked about being honored by the Hall of Fame and Museum with a bobblehead, Jacoby said, “I am excited to partner with the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in the hopes of bringing fans and fellow swimmers a smile.”

“We are excited to release these bobbleheads of Caeleb Dressel and Lydia Jacoby who have both shined on the world’s biggest staged and inspired so many across the globe,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “We think these fans will love these new bobbleheads featured two swimming superstars.”

The Bobble Hall Celebrates Presidents Day With 45 New Bobbleheads

by | Feb 21, 2022 | Sniper Rants

MILWAUKEE – This morning, to celebrate Presidents’ Day, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled the first complete series of United States President bobbleheads. The series includes all 45 United States Presidents on bases that feature a replica of the White House, and each bobblehead is individually numbered to the year that the president was elected. The bobbleheads were produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum.

The collection includes George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James Garfield, Chester Arthur, Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John. F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.

The bobbleheads are only available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. The bobbleheads are $30 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order or $1,250 for the complete set. The Joe Biden and Donald Trump bobbleheads are in stock now while the others are expected to ship in May. All bobbleheads include the name of the president on the front of the base and their president number on the back of the base.

The President of the United States acts as the head of the Executive Branch of the government, as well as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The President is responsible for carrying out the laws written by Congress and appointing the heads of the federal agencies. The Constitution lists only three qualifications for the Presidency — they must be at least 35 years of age, be a natural-born citizen, and must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years. The President of the United States is one of the most powerful people in the world, with awesome privileges and responsibilities.

Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., the White House is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States. Construction took place between 1792 and 1800 using Aquia Creek sandstone painted white. It has been the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800. The residence was designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban in the neoclassical style. He modeled the building after the Leinster House in Dublin, a building which today houses the Oireachtas, the Irish legislature. The modern-day White House complex includes the Executive Residence, West Wing, East Wing, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (the former State Department, which now houses offices for the president’s staff and the vice president) and Blair House, a guest residence. In 2007, the White House was ranked second on the American Institute of Architects list of “America’s Favorite Architecture.”

“We’re excited to release this complete collection of bobbleheads featuring all 45 U.S. Presidents to celebrate Presidents’ Day,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “Each president played an important part in our country’s history, and we think people will enjoy this new series of presidential bobbleheads.”

The Battle Between Being A Completist vs Dissimilarity Within Collecting

by | Feb 8, 2022 | Sniper Rants

We as collector’s tend to collect our favorite players and teams and often face tough decisions when the likeness of a bobble doesn’t sit well with us.

For example, this Maine Red Claws Larry Bird collectible is highly touted as one of the rarest bobbleheads of Larry. It’s also perceived to be the ugliest, as it down right looks creepy. The egg yolk yellow hair as well as the eyebrow and mustache looks like a horror character. Given the fact that Larry is toothless makes this a debatable item to collect.

I myself am I diehard Celtics fan and a huge Larry Bird fan. I followed the C’s since I was 6 years old and never turned back. Once I got knee deep into the bobble game, this Bird bobble was readily available on the open market. I had to have it. There was no question about it as I had to add it to my Bird collection.

Fast forward 10 years later, I question my decision that I acquired it. Looking at it now, it creeps me the fuck out. I literally have a hard time looking at it.

So the ongoing debate remains…even if a bobblehead is ugly as dog shit, do you still get it? Or, do you “Have” to get it because you’re a completist? It’s a fascinating discussion to have amongst avid collectors.

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.”