What are the most iconic prizes?

[Donovan]

What prizes do you think define Cracker Jack? You can use any definition that is meaningful to you, most popular, controversial, most common, most well known by the general public, etc.

I'm just curious as to what other collectors regard as iconic prizes and why.


For me, I'd have to say the following:

1. 1914-1915 baseball cards. These are by far the most valuable and most collected of all prizes. They are collected by a far larger baseball collecting community, and coupled with the tie in to the "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" anthem, they ARE Cracker Jack to many people.

2. Rings 1920's-1960's. There are many issues of Cracker Jack ring prizes from metal to plastic. These became an American meme for cheap jewelery. "Where'd you get that ring, from a Cracker Jack box?" Even today, there are many couples who actually want a Cracker Jack engagement ring for nostalgia sake.

3. The Sea Captain 1948. One of the very first injection molded plastic prizes. Pulled from production after a few months due to the Stalin controversy. Designed by Carey Cloud, the most prolific CJ prize designer. They're still common enough to be easily acquired and come in many different marbleized colors. Famous designer, national controversy, limited production. What's not to like?

4. The Whiffenpoof 1950's. Maybe lesser known than other prizes on the list, but epitomizes the spirit of Cracker Jack - a whimsical prize designed to stimulate the imagination and bring lighthearted joy to children and adults alike. This prize is exactly what Cracker Jack is all about.

5. Pinball machines 1960's-1970's. Admittedly a biased choice. These are the prizes I remember most from my childhood. They represent the entertainment value that Cracker Jack offered children. Where else could a child get hours of entertainment from something as small and simple as a piece of plastic with a BB inside? Video games? Who needs them? Cracker Jack knew how to keep children entertained.

[Luke]

That's a great question, I'll have to think about it for a bit. There are so many great prizes over the years, that it's going to be hard narrowing it down.

[Luke]

What prizes do you think define Cracker Jack?

A kid eating Cracker Jack
B-2902 from Larry White's book

[Jeffrey Maxwell]

I would say the alphabet prizes of course: Alphabat Animals, Alphabet Dangles, Tin Alphabet Stand-Ups, Alphabet Lenticulars.

Of course I am kidding. But only sort of.

All of the things mentioned in previous entries are very good examples, especially baseball cards. But for me NOSCO flats and other similar plastic flats are what GOT me to become a Cracker Jacker. Needless to say, the Alphabet Animals and Alphabet Dangles fall into this category.

Have Fun!
Jeffrey

[dianep2]

I'm with you, Jeffrey. The NOSCO prizes are my favorites. They are my earliest memories because that is what I found in my boxes of CJ in the late 40's and 50's. The endless array of colors during that era are beautiful.

[Jeffrey Maxwell]

This brings up a question I have been wanting to ask. Can anyone tell me if alphabet dangles were NOSCO or other maker? I think I had the manufacturer info on that one time, but cannot remember who made them. And I cannot find the info anywhere. Also, what was Cracker Jack's ID number. Thanks!

[Luke]

Don, I forgot to write in a few other prizes as iconic. Presidential coins, and Pretty Lady Pins.

Jeffrey, I'm sure either Alex, Larry or Harriet, would have the answer to that question.