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The author’s personal collection of Hank Aaron bobbleheads

The bulk of my Hank Aaron collecting is confined to items from Hank’s playing days. However, I’ve made an exception for bobbleheads. What follows is what I believe to be a complete collection of Hank Aaron bobbleheads.

STADIUM GIVEAWAYS

 

 

2002 Milwaukee Brewers/Wisconsin Woodchucks

  • Issue date: July 27, 2002 (Wisconsin Woodchucks), August 11, 2002 (Milwaukee Brewers)
  • Production: 10,500 (500 with Woodchucks and 10,000 with Brewers)
  • Sponsors: Pick ‘n Save, Pepsi
  • Manufacturer: BDA
  • Uniform: Milwaukee Brewers home #44
  • Pose: Standing with bat on shoulder
  • Markings: 755 on bat, name on front of base, sponsors on back of base, various markings and stickers on bottom
  • Other notes: Also packaged with Ben Sheets and Richie Sexson as part of a mail-in offer by Pepsi.
  • Availability: Widely available
  • Price estimate: $30-40 NIB
  • See box

2003 Greenville Braves

  • Issue date: July 5, 2003
  • Production: 1,000
  • Sponsors: Advance Auto Parts
  • Manufacturer: AGP
  • Uniform: Atlanta Braves road #44
  • Pose: End of swing
  • Markings: name on front of base, sponsor plaque atop base, Bobble Dobbles sticker on bottom
  • Availability: Extremely tough
  • Price estimate: $60-80 NIB
  • See box

2003 Atlanta Braves

  • Issue date: September 19, 2003
  • Production: 12,000
  • Sponsors: Publix, Coca Cola
  • Manufacturer: AGP
  • Uniform: Atlanta Braves home #44
  • Pose: End of swing
  • Markings: name on front of base, sponsors on sides
  • Availability: Widely available
  • Price estimate: $30-60 NIB
  • See box

2010 Milwaukee Brewers

  • Issue date: May 16, 2010
  • Production: unknown
  • Sponsors: Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board
  • Manufacturer: BDA
  • Uniform: Milwaukee Brewers home #44
  • Pose: At bat
  • Markings: name on front of base, “Wisconsin Cheese” plaque atop base, photo of Hank Aaron at bat behind bobble figure
  • Other notes: Scheduled for reissue of 500 at March 21, 2011 Cactus League game; however game was canceled due to rain
  • Availability: Widely available
  • Price estimate: $15-20 NIB
  • See box

2012 Eau Claire Express

  • Issue date: June 14, 2012
  • Production: unknown
  • Sponsors: Royal Credit Union
  • Manufacturer: AGP
  • Uniform: 1952 Eau Claire Bears home #6
  • Pose: End of swing
  • Markings: name on front of base, sponsor plaque atop base
  • Other notes: Mini-bobble, 60th anniversary of Aaron’s minor league debut
  • Availability: Very tough
  • Price estimate: $70-90 NIB
  • See box

2013 Milwaukee Brewers

  • Issue date: July 7, 2013 (regular season), March 3, 2014 (spring training)
  • Production: All fans (39,677) at regular season game plus 2000 at spring training
  • Sponsors: US Cellular
  • Manufacturer: BDA
  • Uniform: Milwaukee Braves home #44
  • Pose: Standing holding bat
  • Markings: name on front of base, 44 on bat (number of home runs), 31 on base (number of steals), sponsor on side of base
  • Other notes: 50th anniversary of Aaron’s 40/30 season
  • Availability: Widely available
  • Price estimate: $15-25 NIB
  • See box

2014 Atlanta Braves

  • Issue date: April 10, 2014
  • Production: unknown
  • Sponsors: Delta and Coca Cola
  • Manufacturer: unknown
  • Uniform: Atlanta Braves home #44
  • Pose: End of swing
  • Markings: “40th Anniversary #715” on front of base, sponsors on side of base, signature atop base
  • Other notes: (approximate) 40th anniversary of Aaron’s 715th home run
  • Availability: Widely available
  • Price estimate: $30-40 NIB
  • See box

2016 Lakeshore Chinooks

  • Issue date: June 4, 2016
  • Production: 1,000
  • Sponsors: Robert Haack Diamonds
  • Manufacturer: AGP
  • Uniform: Lakeshore Chinooks home #44
  • Pose: Standing with bat on shoulder
  • Markings: name on front of base, sponsor plaque atop base, 344 marker on outfield fence behind figure, crowned 755 on bat
  • Other notes: Part of the “Outfield Wall” series with Paul Molitor, Jim Gantner, and Robin Yount; also note that publicity photos showed the Aaron bobblehead with gray hair.
  • Availability: Moderate
  • Price estimate: $30-40 NIB
  • See box

2016 Gwinnett Braves

  • Issue date: July 16, 2016
  • Production: 2,500
  • Sponsors: Cool Ray
  • Manufacturer: Success Promotions
  • Uniform: Milwaukee Braves home #44
  • Pose: Standing with bat on shoulder
  • Markings: name on front of base, sponsor plaque atop base, “HOF 1982” on back of base
  • Other notes:
  • Availability: Moderate
  • Price estimate: $40-60 NIB
  • See box

2017 Atlanta Braves

  • Issue date: 2017 TBD
  • Production: 1
  • Sponsors: Atlanta Braves
  • Manufacturer: unknown
  • Uniform: Atlanta Braves home #44
  • Pose: Standing with bat on shoulder
  • Markings: name on front of base
  • Other notes: About six feet tall
  • Availability: Good luck! 🙂
  • Price estimate: $20K or more
  • See box

2018 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

  • Issue date: September 1, 2018
  • Production: 2,000
  • Sponsors: Community First Credit Union
  • Manufacturer: unknown
  • Uniform: 1953 Jacksonville Braves
  • Pose: Infielder throwing
  • Markings: name on front of home plate base; team and sponsor logos on top of base
  • Other notes:
  • Availability: Moderate
  • Price estimate: $40

2019 Eau Claire Express

  • Issue date: June 15, 2019
  • Production: 600
  • Sponsors: Kwik Trip
  • Manufacturer: Unknown
  • Uniform: 1952 Eau Claire Bears home #6
  • Pose: Throwing
  • Markings: name on front of base, sponsor plaque atop base
  • Other notes: Full size (7″) as opposed to 2012 Eau Claire mini
  • Availability: scarce
  • Price estimate: eBay listings are over $200, but this may come down.
  • See box

2019 Atlanta Braves

  • Issue date: September 17, 2019
  • Production: 15,000
  • Sponsors: NAPA
  • Manufacturer: Unknown
  • Uniform: 1969 Atlanta Braves #44
  • Pose: Holding bat
  • Markings: name on front of base, sponsor plaque atop base
  • Other notes: Full size, commemorates 50th anniversary of winning 1969 NL West
  • Price estimate: TBD

SGA BOBBLEHEADS RELATED TO HANK AARON

I don’t consider any of these true Hank Aaron bobbleheads. However, they may be of interest to some Aaron collectors.

SGA STATUES: There were also SGA statues distributed by the Atlanta Braves on April 12, 2007 (Turner Field) and August 18, 2017 (Sun Trust Park). Each statue matched the Hank Aaron statue at the stadium. These giveaways are sometimes included in various lists of bobbleheads.

OTHER AUTHORIZED RELEASES

1975 Milwaukee Brewers

  • Issue date: 1975 (often listed as 1974; however, Aaron did not become a Brewer until November 2, 1974, so this seems dubious. This article also corroborates 1975.)
  • Production: unknown
  • Distribution: Milwaukee County Stadium
  • Manufacturer: Sports Specialty Corporation
  • Uniform: Milwaukee Brewers home #44
  • Pose: Standing with ball in right hand
  • Markings: signature on front of base
  • Other notes: The side of the box includes directions for ordering more “dolls” by writing to Milwaukee Brewer Promotions via Milwaukee County Stadium
  • Availability: Widely available
  • Price estimate: $40-60 NIB
  • See box

1994 SAM

  • Issue date: 1994
  • Production: 1,000
  • Distribution: Retail
  • Manufacturer: Sports Accessories and Memorabilia (SAM)
  • Uniform: Atlanta Braves home #44
  • Pose: Standing with bat
  • Markings: “Henry Aaron 500 Homerun Club” on front of base
  • Other notes: Issued as part of 500 HR club series; very poor resemblance to Hank Aaron, even for a bobblehead; my box shows a $69.95 price tag.
  • Availability: Moderate
  • Price estimate: $60-80 NIB
  • See box

2001 Alexander Global Promotions

  • Issue date: 2001
  • Production: 1,000
  • Distribution: Retail
  • Manufacturer: AGP
  • Uniform: Milwaukee Braves home #44
  • Pose: Standing with bat
  • Markings: name on front of base
  • Other notes: Distribution was mainly in the South; production is believed to be about one-third that of other “Bobble Dobbles” from that same year. This bobblehead is available in two different boxes: the Bobble Dobble “Collectible Series” and the “Hall of Fame Collectible Series.” Note that only the box differs between these two variations.
  • Availability: Moderate
  • Price estimate: $50-70 NIB
  • See “Collectible Series” box.
  • See “Hall of Fame Collectible Series” box.

2003 Hank Aaron Automotive Group

  • Issue date: 2003
  • Production: 50-75 estimated
  • Distribution: Distributed at various Hank Aaron-owned car dealers in the Atlanta area. Please contact me if you have information on how these were made available to consumers.
  • Manufacturer: AGP
  • Uniform: Milwaukee Braves home #44
  • Pose: Standing with bat
  • Markings: name on front of base, National Baseball Hall of Fame plaque
  • Other notes: Only the box (plain white) and the HOF plaque distinguish this bobblehead from the more common 2001 AGP.
  • Availability: Nearly impossible
  • Price estimate: $200+

2013 Forever Collectibles

  • Issue date: 2013
  • Production: 2,013
  • Distribution: Retail
  • Manufacturer: Forever Collectibles
  • Uniform: Atlanta Braves home #44
  • Pose: End of swing
  • Markings: name on front of base, “Atlanta Braves” and script lowercase “A” logo on base
  • Other notes: Retail outlets, including Turner Field; part of “Legends of the Diamond” series
  • Availability: Fairly tough
  • Price estimate: $70-90 NIB
  • See box

2014 Forever Collectibles

  • Issue date: 2014
  • Production: 360
  • Distribution: Retail (Turner Field)
  • Manufacturer: Forever Collectibles
  • Uniform: Atlanta Braves home #44
  • Pose: End of swing
  • Markings: “40th Anniversary,” “715,” and signature on plaque; large “715” on base
  • Other notes: April 2014 “Bobble of the Month” at Turner Field
  • Availability: Fairly tough
  • Price estimate: $70-90 NIB
  • See box

2017 Atlanta Braves “A-List”

  • Issue date: September 2017
  • Production: 1512 (63 cases of 24)
  • Distribution: Available to “A List” season ticket holders only, though the logistics of notification/distribution were something of a cluster
  • Manufacturer: unknown
  • Uniform: Milwaukee Braves home uniform #5
  • Pose: Standing, leaning on bat
  • Markings: Name on front of base, “1954 Rookie” on back of base
  • Other notes: Braves A-list members voted among various Braves all-time greats (Hank Aaron, Phil Niekro, Chipper Jones, Warren Spahn, Dale Murphy); A-list “memory points” used to purchase bobblehead
  • Availability: Moderate
  • Price estimate: $60-80 for NIB

2018 National Baseball Hall of Fame Legend

  • Issue date: June 2018 presale for July 2018 shipping
  • Production: 360
  • Distribution: National Baseball Hall of Fame
  • Manufacturer: Forever Collectibles
  • Uniform: Atlanta Braves home #44
  • Pose: End of swing
  • Markings: Hall of Fame logo on base, name on front of base, “Class of 1982” on back of base
  • Other notes: Al Kaline is other player released in same series.
  • Availability: Still available at Hall of Fame online store as of October 3, 2018
  • Price estimate: $35 + shipping while supplies last
  • Purchase at Baseball Hall of Fame online shop.

2018 Team Brown Apparel

  • Issue date: Announced September 8, 2018 for late September/early October 2018 delivery
  • Production: 4136 + 20 artist proofs
  • Distribution: Team Brown Apparel website and www.negroleagueshistory.com 
  • Manufacturer: National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and NegroLeaguesHistory.com
  • Uniform: Indianapolis Clowns #5
  • Pose: Batting stance with cross-handed grip
  • Markings: Name on front of base; “Indianapolis Clowns 1952” on back of base
  • Other notes: Also sold as part of $52 “Double Play offer” that includes Hank Aaron Indianapolis Clowns tee shirt; licensed by Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
  • Availability: Still available through website as of October 3, 2018
  • Price estimate: $30 + shipping while supplies last
  • See box.

CUSTOMS

In addition to the official releases above, which carry the approval of Major League Baseball, Hank Aaron, or some other authorized entity, private collectors, artists, and entrepreneurs have contributed to the Hank Aaron bobbleverse by creating or customizing bobbleheads like the ones below. If you have a custom Hank Aaron you’d like to show off by adding it to this page, please send me an email along with a pic.

Indy Clowns Custom
Bobblehead City
Cat Man 1957 WS
Cat Man 715 HR
Cat Man 755 HR
  • Indianapolis Clowns custom – This custom bobblehead portrays Hank Aaron on his first professional team, the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues, where he played shortstop and batted cleanup in 1952. Look closely and you’ll notice that it is made from the 2013 Atlanta Braves SGA Hank Aaron. What a great paint job!
  • Bobblehead City – This business allows you to create your own bobblehead, right down to player name, skin tone, uniform, and other variables–all for about $80 (painted) plus shipping. At one time, the site’s front page featured the Hank Aaron image above. However, it now features mainly “generic” players. UPDATE: The site appears to have been taken down.
  • Cat Man 755 HR  – Limited release of 44 by Canadian bobble maker “Cat Man.” Despite (or possibly because of) the cartoonish, South Park (or maybe Davey and Goliath) style of his bobbleheads, Cat Man has something of a cult following among the bobblehead collectors who even know his work exists. Registration/login is required, but you can learn more about Cat Man and his many bobbles at this site. As for prices, I have seen two of these “755 HR” bobbles sell on eBay, one at $90 and one at $100. NOTE: If you purchase a “Cat Man” of any player–not just Hank Aaron–note that they are VERY fragile. Anecdotal data suggest that nearly half are damaged during shipping.
  • Cat Man 715 HR – Limited release of 44. See notes above.
  • Cat Man 1957 WS  – Limited release of unknown (to me) size. See notes above.

RELATED BOBBLEHEADS

In the early 1960s (c. 1963-1965), generic team bobbleheads were produced for each team. Additionally, “black player” bobbles were produced for each team except the Athletics, Giants, Pirates, and Twins. See this page for the best information on the Web.

None of these bobbles included names or uniform numbers; however, the two produced for the Braves (Milwaukee and Atlanta) could arguably be considered as part of a complete Hank Aaron bobblehead collection. A handful of notes on the topic–

  1. The Atlanta version (c. 1965) is identical to the Milwaukee version, except that the “M” hat decal the word “Milwaukee” on the base have been colored over.
  2. Both bobbles are very scarce, but the Milwaukee one is more so. In good condition, expect to pay around $500 for Atlanta and $1000 for Milwaukee.
  3. The “black player” bobbles are known to come in two variations: “realistic face” (includes eyebrows) and “traditional face” (smiling). Traditional is more rare. (I don’t know whether both variations exist for both Braves bobbles.
Milwaukee (Realistic)
Atlanta (Realistic)