Posted 9 months ago
mikelv85
(1230 items)
Never underestimate checking things once, twice or even three times. Since my folks pasted last year I still rummage through boxes filled with old photos and always find something I missed. Case in point this Jimmy Hoffa signed bar menu with a button pinned to it neatly folded and tucked into a zip lock bag at the bottom of said box. So why would my mom have this ?? My grandfather drove trucks through the 60's and 70's and probably belonged to Teamsters 377. Cobo Hall (today known as Huntington Place) is in Detroit where my grandparents lived. So he very well may have attended this convention. I can imagined him at the bar or table grabbing this menu and asking Mr.Hoffa for a quick autograph and then giving grandad the button as well. It's dated on the front Saturday October 30 but the year is missing except for the 1???. The autograph and the button are on the back of the menu. Mom must have gotten it after his passing and kept it all these years. It's interesting to see the liquors and the prices the catering company were charging compared to today's market. From what I've seen online the button seems to be a rarer one and his autographs are common and on various items but together this might be a nice find for a Hoffa collector. -Mike-
08/10/2023 Online Research Description:
Original pin back button issued by Jimmy Hoffa for his attempt to re-enter Teamster politics after his release from jail. Circa 1974. Hoffa faced strong resistance to his attempt to re-establish his power base after his incarceration. This button distributed to members of Detroit Local 299 sometime in the early 1970s is a rare example of his attempt to flirt with defying the restrictions that President Nixon had placed on his release. Hoffa had begun his career with the Teamsters at Local 299 and believed he still retained influence within the group. He was mistaken as his overtures were not appreciated by his fellow union brethren. Shortly afterwards, on July 30, 1975 he disappeared. Hoffa was declared dead July 30, 1982. Pin back button measures 1 3/4" inches. Has portrait photo of Hoffa with facsimile signature below. "I Am A Friend Of" is written on top. Side curl has union bug stamp. Considered the very last known Teamster campaign item issued by Hoffa. Rare
I think he went into witness protection
Thanks for the comment Vynil33rpm...quite possible. Still one of the great unsolved mysteries of our time. :)
Old Hoffa joke!! They found him hiding under Tammy Faye Bakers Makeup!!
Stuff
Thanks for the "loves" kev123 and yougottahavestuff :)
That's a distinct possibility Stuff she did use a cement trowel to apply it ...lol :)
Thanks for the "love" Kevin:)
I Remember A Few Years Ago That They Thought They Found His Remains In Northern Minnesota, Yet no..I always enjoyed the theory that Hge was put under the new Yankee Stadium that was under construction..At the time of His dissappearance, They were pouring the concrete, Yet Who knows.
Thomas.
Thanks for the"love" and comment Thomas. You are so right ! I have a feeling the truth will be stranger than any fiction when the day comes :)
Thanks for the "love" dav2no1 :)
Thanks for the"love" Fort :)
Thanks for the"love" Reise :)
Great vintage memento of the historic union leader. My husband had 50+ yrs as a Teamster, they owed a lot to Hoffa. Cool post Mike!
Thanks for the "love" and comment Jenni. I wish it had the date on the bar list though. Saturday October 30 occurred in 1965 and then again in 1971. Nixon didn't pardon him until December of that year, so 71' is ruled out. He was still in prison. So the autograph has to be earlier than the button which came out after he was released and before he disappeared. Lucky they were kept together. :) -Mike-
Oh yeah I know he was crooked w/mob ties but he did a lot of good unionizing workers at the start. Hubby started in '68 (microscope tech) & stayed in the same co til he retired a couple yrs ago, was also a shop steward there @ 20yrs. Job security thanks to the Teamsters he wasn't "aged out" :)
I totally agree Jenni. My granddad drove beverage trucks and he was always a union man. I was trying to timeline out the missing year on the bar list as to when he would be out and about at conventions and able to sign autographs. So 65' or maybe earlier seems logical. :)
BTW that bar menu is awesome, can't believe those prices....no wonder my uncle used to tip a dime for a drink lol :)
I looked up a few of the bottles. Some brands are not made anymore. The Old Grandad 86 vintage from the 60's was selling for over 2K on a collectors site ! I wish my grandad had stashed a case of that at those prices...lol :)
After the years of war, things like salt and peppers were given as wedding presents. Many business' started up after the war and it was a fresh start. Keeping things like receipts and instructions was very in and most people saved little keepsakes like this !~
Thanks for the "love" and comment Phil :)
Thanks for the "love" Laurabelle61 :)
Thanks for the "love" Leelani :)
Thanks for the "love" Malatero2 :)
Thanks for the"loves" Vynil33rpm, DejaVu2, and Sean :)
nice testimony of an historic moment
This is so cool Mike!! What an awesome item to have in your collection!
Thanks for the "loves" and comments Kivatinitz and Scott :) Had I not gone through that particular box for the third time it very well could have been thrown out. My mom had it in an old needlepoint fabric ziplock from the craft store.
My Dad was a truck driver and a member of the Transfers Union. He was offered a position as a steward (?) but turned it down when he was told it came with two bodyguards.
Frickin' spell check!