Player's No 6 Please Gaelic County (GAA) Footballer & Leather Football Plaster Advertising Statue VINTAGE
From the early 20th century John Player's tobacco & cigarette company used various types of plaster models for their point of sale advertising. The popular Irish team sport of Gaelic football saw the introduction of player figurines that could often be spotted in pubs and shops all over Ireland. Usually seen as a single statue of a hurler or footballer, but occasionally as part of a twin set. The represented player statues would often wear the County colours that had won recent All-Ireland titles.
This lovely vintage statue that stands approximately 12 inches tall features a smart looking Gaelic footballer. With both hands he is holding a leather football and is resting his back against a large rock. This hand crafted and painted plaster figure is fitted onto a square presentation plinth. The stand carries the following text: ' Player's No 6 Please On All Grounds'. Player's No.6 branded cigarettes appeared for the first time in shops during the early 1960's.
The kit that he is wearing consists of a royal blue jersey, white shorts and ankle high boots. We did some research to learn more about which County Team might be represented by the footballer. We also spoke to an expert at the Museum of the Gaelic Athletic Association at Croke Park in Dublin. He suggested that County Cavan, Wicklow, Laois and Dublin could all be considered. So we will leave it up to the imagination of the next owner. It has been lovely learning more about this fascinating team sport that we ourselves knew so little about.
Outside of the GAA Museum as well as a few pubs and private collections, not many statues appear on the open market. In recent years the GAA museum commissioned a series of replicas of these sought after pieces. We can confirm that this figurine is original.
The Gaelic footballer statue is in beautiful condition. It only needed a gentle and careful clean. The former owner of this item added a piece of felt to the bottom of the plinth. It is now ready for display in your home.
Product summary
Manufacturer: Unknown
Period: 20th Century - 1960's
Material: Plaster, hand painted
Size: Height 30cm (12 inches), Width - Widest Point 9cm(3.5 inches), Depth - Widest Point 10.5cm (4 inches)
