Victor Medina Editor’s Note: This guide and checklist may have errors or omissions, as we have assembled it from various sources over the years. If there are corrections or additions to be made, please contact us with the information!
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The 1950s
The first 18 statues in the Hartland baseball line are referred to as the “900 Series” by many collectors, as the catalog numbers for each statue were numbered in the 900s. Standing about 8 1/2″ tall, the statues featured incredible likenesses and poses, and baseball fans can often recognize the player depicted just by the pose. Each statue (except for Roger Maris) were sold with a small round tag, attached to the statue with a string.
In 1958, the first five Hartlands were released, sold at ballpark concession stands and select retailers like Woolworths. They include Eddie Mathews, Hank Aaron, Warren Spahn, Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth.
The 1960s
In 1960, three Chicago players were added to the lineup: Cubs star Ernie Banks, as well as Luis Aparicio and Nellie Fox of the White Sox. Ten more soon followed to complete the line.
Magnets were put in the feet of eleven statues (Aaron, Banks, Berra, Fox, Mantle, Mathews, Mays, the “Minor Leaguer” with white base, Musial, Ruth and Spahn). Those statues came with a black metal base, so the magnet would help them stand.
Vintage Hartlands are often missing their bat, as it was easily removeable. Replacements and reproductions are available, but collectors should know that there are three different bat styles used with the statues. Babe Ruth had a long, fat bat. A short bat was used on Ernie Banks, Dick Groat, Roger Maris and Stan Musial statues. A regular bat was used with the Hank Aaron, Rocky Colavito, Harmon Killebrew, Mickey Mantle, Duke Snider and Ted Williams statues.
In addition to the original 18 statues, Hartland produced other baseball products. A young boy in a baseball uniform was also released, called the “Little Leaguer.” The Little League organization did not approve the item, however, and the threatened to sue Hartland. In response, the packaging was changed to call it the “Batboy,” a name that it is referred to today. Hartland also had to destroy a reported 40,000 “Little Leaguer” packaged statues, and yet, 10,000 still remained on the market, making it a fairly common statue today.
A four-inch tall generic baseball player was also released. Called the “Minor Leaguer,” the figure sported the number “5” on his back, leading many to believe it was a nod to Yankee Joe DiMaggio. There are several variations: the original fully-painted version, a gold version reportedly sold to go atop trophies, versions with either black or white bases reportedly sold as cake toppers, and unpainted, all-white versions.
The 1980s
The ‘Dallas Hartlands’ Era
In 1988, Dallas attorney Bill Alley bought the Hartland trademark, and the new Hartland reissued the original 18 statues as a “25th Anniversary” Edition. The ‘Batboy’ and ‘Minor Leaguer’ statues were reissued as well. Statues were made using the original molds, with the same paint applications, but each reissue included a “25th” designation on the belt to differentiate from the originals.
Al Kaline was scheduled to get a statue, and it appears prototypes were produced, but we find no records of it being sold to the public. An auction for some statue proofs was held in 2017, with the statues having a 1988 mark. Kaline would eventually get a statue in the Hartland of Ohio line.
The 1990s
The “Missouri Hartlands” Era
As the 1990s began, six new players were released: Roberto Clemente, Dizzy Dean, Whitey Ford, Bob Feller, Ty Cobb and Lou Gehrig. A statue called “The Confrontation,” featuring manager Sparky Anderson and umpire Al Barlick, was also released. A Winter 1990 issue of the “Insider” newsletter sent to Hartland fans by the company announced that their Bob Feller and Ty Cobb statues had been released.
Despite the strong sales of the 25th anniversary line, the 1991 disappearance of Hartland owner Bill Alley pushed the company to the brink of collapse. The company was quickly sold to Bill Dunlap, who restructured the company as USA Hartland and began to issue new statues in the original style, even as the company faced turmoil and changes. In 1992, Stevens Manufacturing of Missouri, who had briefly acquired Hartland’s assets in the late 1970s, bought USA Hartland from Dunlap, and production moved to Hermann, Missouri. Under the “Hartland Collection” banner, statues including Nolan Ryan and Cy Young were released. Statues were issued in a red window box and an enclosed gray box.
In July of 1993, the nearby Missouri River floods and practically destroyed the Hermann factory, just as production of the Carl Yastrzemski statue was underway, leading to only 400 being made. Hartland closed its doors later that year.
The 2000s
The “Hartland Collectibles LLC” and “Hartland of Ohio” Eras
In 2001, Hartland came back, this time in Shreveport, Louisiana as Hartland Collectibles LLC. Their first major release was a second reissue of the original 18 statues. Unlike the previous issues, however, these statues featured more realistic paint jobs, with more details and facial features like eyes. The statues were issued in boxes branded with Sports Collectors Digest. While many collectors welcomed the new statues man purists didn’t care for the updated paint applications or the simple, classic look.
Hartland Collectibles also issued new statues as exclusive releases or stadium giveaways, including a series of Randy Johnson statues in 2001 for Circle K stores.
In 2006, Fay Halliwell bought out Hartland and created Hartland of Ohio, which she owns to this day. According to her LinkedIn page, Halliwell “redesigned the company sales model and brought the quality and collector value back to what the original founders intended, while continuing the Hartland tradition.”
Halliwell also fulfilled the dreams of hard-core Hartland collectors by adding both Casey Stengel and Jim Gentile statues. Both were statues slated to be released in 1963, but the Revlon buyout stopped their production. Randy Guthrie of Li’l Monster Productions, a model designer and caster, used pictures of the prototypes to recreate the molds.
Hartland of Ohio shifted the focus of its statues to making fan-favorite players and legends from the Negro Leagues. In all, 22 statues were made in limited quantities, usually autographed by the player. Among the statues were a 2008 line of college football Heisman winners. Also in 2008, a set of child baseball players was released, to mark the 50th anniversary of the release of the “Batboy/Little Leaguer” statue. The kids wear blue and white uniforms with Hartland insgnia.
There are no records of Hartland products after 2013, and the passing of Halliwell in 2021 effectively ended the “Hartland of Ohio” era.
Checklist
The Hartland, Wisconsin Era (1958-1963)
The “900 Series” (1958-1963)
Catalog number in parenthesis
Hank Aaron (#912, Issued in a high-step and flat-footed batting stance)
Luis Aparicio (#924)
Ernie Banks (#920)
Yogi Berra (#917)
Rocky Colavito (#923)
Don Drysdale (#922)
Nellie Fox (#919, Issued with and without red trim around the uniform)
Dick Groat (#926)
Harmon Killebrew (#925)
Mickey Mantle (#910)
Roger Maris (#927)
Eddie Mathews (#913, Issued with and without red trim on the uniform)
Willie Mays (#918, Issued with orange and yellow trim and piping)
Stan Musial (#915)
Babe Ruth (#911)
Duke Snider (#921)
Warren Spahn (#916)
Ted Williams (#914)
Additional Statues (1958-1963)
Little Leaguer/Batboy
Minor Leaguer (4-inch, Full Color)
Minor Leaguer 4-inch (Black Base)
Minor Leaguer 4-inch (White Base)
Minor Leaguer 4-inch (Gold)
Minor Leaguer 4-inch (Solid white)
The “Dallas” Hartlands Era (1988-1991)
The 25th Anniversary Series (1988)
Production limited to 10,000 each; in some cases, slightly fewer were made
Hank Aaron
Luis Aparicio
Ernie Banks
Yogi Berra
Rocky Colavito
Don Drysdale
Nellie Fox
Dick Groat
Harmon Killebrew
Mickey Mantle
Roger Maris
Eddie Mathews
Willie Mays
Stan Musial
Babe Ruth
Duke Snider
Warren Spahn
Ted Williams
Bat Boy (Limited to 2,500)
Minor Leaguer (4 inch figure, Limited to 2.500)
The ‘USA Hartland’ Era (1990-1991)
Statues were packaged in green boxes with a painted portrait of the player.
1990
“The Confrontation” (Limited to 20)
Roberto Clemente (Limited to 10,000)
Ty Cobb (Limited to 45)
Dizzy Dean (Limited to 500)
Bob Feller (Limited to 25)
Whitey Ford (Limited to 10,000)
Lou Gehrig (Limited to 500)
Al Kaline (not released)
Bat Boy (Limited to 2,500)
Minor Leaguer (Limited to 2,500)
The “Missouri” Hartlands (1992-1994)
1992
The Hartland Collection (Grey boxes)
Roberto Clemente (Reissue of the 1990-91 statue)
Nolan Ryan (Limited to 4.500, White Home Uniform)
Honus Wagner (White Uniform)
Cy Young (Numbered to 10,000)
“Safe at Second” Statue (Limited to 10,000, Packed in the 25th Anniversary “Baseball Stars” box)
1992-1994
The Hartland Collection (Red Window Boxes)
Nolan Ryan (Target exclusive, Limited to 5,500, Gray Road Uniform)
Carl Yastremzski (Limited to 400)
Hartland Collectibles LLC Series (2001-2006)
2001
‘The Original 18’ (Third Generation)
Reissues of the original 18 molds with upgraded paint applications and boxes branded with the “Sports Collectors Digest Authentics” logo. Production was limited to 2,500 each and sold originally for $39.99.
Luis Aparicio
Ernie Banks (#14 uniform)
Yogi Berra (With pinstripes)
Joe DiMaggio
Dick Groat (Cardinals uniform)
Harmon Killebrew (Washington Senators uniform)
Mickey Mantle
Eddie Mathews (Boston Braves uniform)
Stan Musial (Grey uniform)
Babe Ruth
Duke Snider
Warren Spahn (Boston Braves uniform)
Ted Williams (Limited to 1,000)
The Confrontation (Reissue of the rare 1990 statue, Painted version)
The Confrontation (Bronze version)
Randy Johnson Series
This 4-Statue Series Featuring Randy Johnson was sold only in Arizona Circle K stores.
Randy Johnson 2002 Cy Young Award Winner (#1 of 4)
Randy Johnson 2001 Cy Young Award Winner (#2 of 4)
Randy Johnson 2000 Cy Young Award Winner (#3 of 4)
Randy Johnson 1999 Cy Young Award Winner (#4 of 4)
2002
Johnny Bench (“New Classics” box)
Satchel Paige (“New Classics” box, Limited to 2,500, Kansas City Monarchs uniform)
Mike Schmidt (“New Classics” box)
Ozzie Smith (“New Classics” Box, Throwing Pose) Click here to order the Smith statue from Amazon!
Ozzie Smith (“The Wizard,” McDonald’s Premium)
Ozzie Smith (“Go Crazy Folks,” McDonald’s Premium)
2003
Mickey Mantle (‘New Classics’ box, Batting right-handed, Grey #6 rookie uniform)
2004
Joe DiMaggio (“New Classics” Box, Batting) Click here to order the DiMaggio statue from Amazon!
Joe DiMaggio (“New Classics” box, Running the bases pose)
Bob Gibson (“New Classics” Box)
Reggie Jackson (“New Classics” box, Oakland uniform)
Reggie Jackson (“New Classics” box, Yankees uniform)
Brooks Robinson (“New Classics” box)
Manager
Bat Boy (Sports Collector’s Digest Exclusive for subscribers, 5 inches tall, mounted on a base, with “SCD” on jersey back)
2005
Howard “Hopalong” Cassady (Columbus Clippers Dual Statue Giveaway)
Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig (“New Classics” box, Wood Base, Numbered to 2,500)
Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig (Bronze with wood base, Packed in “New Classics” box)
Nolan Ryan (Round Rock Express Stadium Giveaway, Sponsored by D.R. Horton)
Ivan Rodriguez (Tulsa Drillers Giveaway)
Umpire (5 1/2″ tall)
Coach (5 1/2″ tall)
The “Hartland of Ohio” Series (2006-2013)
2006
Cool Papa Bell (2006 MLB All-Star Game Exclusive)
Lou Boudreau (Bronze, Cleveland International Show Exclusive, “Three of Cleveland’s Baseball Finest,” Numbered to 1,000)
Robinson Cano (Columbus Clippers 30th Anniversary Stadium Giveaway, July 23, 2006)
Roberto Clemente (2006 MLB All-Star Game Exclusive, numbered to 2006)
Larry Doby (Bronze, Cleveland International Show Exclusive, “Three of Cleveland’s Baseball Finest,” Numbered to 1,000)
Bob Feller (Bronze, Cleveland International Show Exclusive, “Three of Cleveland’s Baseball Finest,” Numbered to 1000)
Josh Gibson (Bronze, 2006 MLB All-Star Game Exclusive)
Derek Jeter (Columbus Clippers 30th Anniversary Stadium Giveaway, August 27, 2006)
Krash the Clippers Mascot (Columbus Clippers 30th Anniversary Stadium Giveaway)
Tommy Lasorda (Bronze, 2006 The National Exclusive, Numbered to 1,000) Click here to order the Lasorda Statue from Amazon!
Mickey Mantle (Bronze, 6.5″ tall, Columbus Clippers Stadium Giveaway, September 2, 2006, Limited to 2,000)
Willie McCovey (Bronze, 2006 The National Exclusive)
Buck O’Neil (2006 Collector’s Club Exclusive, Autographed and Numbered to 1,000)
Jorge Posada (Columbus Clippers 30th Anniversary Stadium Giveaway, May 28, 2006)
Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson (Bronze, Brooklyn Cyclones Giveaway)
Cal Ripken Jr. (Bronze)
Mariano Rivera (Columbus Clippers 30th Anniversary Stadium Giveaway, June 18, 2006)
Ryne Sandberg (Bronze, 2006 Chicago Sportsfest Exclusive, Numbered to 1,000)
Willie Stargell (2006 MLB All-Star Game Exclusive, Numbered to 2006)
Bruce Sutter (Bronze, 2006 The National Exclusive)
Bernie Williams (Columbus Clippers 30th Anniversary Stadium Giveaway, August 6, 2006)
Hot Dog Vendor (5 1/2″ tall)
2007
Dick Allen (SCD Show Exclusive, Limited to 300, With 200 Autographed)
Howie Bedell (“Base Runner” pose, 2007 Collector’s Club Exclusive, Autographed, Limited to 146)
Roberto Clemente (Bronze, 2007 Piratefest Exclusive)
Jimmie Foxx (Bronze “Jimmie Foxx Day” Statue, Numbered to 300)
Gapper and Slider (Reds and Indians mascots, 2007 Promo Bobbleheads, listed as part of the Indians Collection)
Travis Hafner (Bronze, 2007 The National Exclusive Giveaway) Click here to order the Hafner Statue from Amazon!
Al Kaline (Spring Training Giveaway)
Al Kaline (Bronze, Lakeland Tigers Minor League Giveaway)
Connie Mack (Bronze)
Victor Martinez (2007 The National Exclusive, Limited to 1,000, Marked as ‘Giveaway Only’)
Cal Ripken Jr. (Limited to 1,000)
C.C. Sabathia (Bronze, Limited to 1,000)
Grady Sizemore (Bronze, 2007 The National Exclusive Giveaway, Limited to 1,000)
Ted Williams
Carl Yastrzemski (Limited Edition of 500 with 100 Signed) Click here to order the Yastrzemski statue from Amazon!
Robin Yount (Bronze, Collector’s Club Exclusive, Limited to 1,000)
2008
50th Anniversary Signature Series
Melvyn Duncan (Kansas City Monarchs, Signed by Duncan on the base)
William Greason (Negro Legends Series, Signed by Greason on the base, Numbered to 100)
Monte Irvin (Negro Legends Series, Newark Eagles, Signed by Irvin on the base)
Walter Johnson
Cecil Kaiser (Negro Legends Series, Autographed by Kaiser, Limited to 100)
Christy Mathewson (Limited to 200)
Minnie Minoso, (Negro League, New York Cubans, Signed by Minoso on the base, Numbered to 100, Released July 2008)
Bob Motley (Black Umpire, “Negro Legends” Series, Signed by Motley on the Base)
Emilio “Millito” Navarro (Negro Legends Series, Autographed and Numbered to 150)
Milt Pappas (Chicago Cubs, Numbered to 250)
Billy Pierce (Chicago White Sox)
Art “Superman” Pennington (Chicago American Giants, Signed by Pennington)
George “Shotgun” Shuba (Collector’s Club Autographed Exclusive, Numbered to 150)
Ted “Lefty” Toles (Signature Series, Ohio Sports Convention Exclusive, Autographed and Numbered to 48)
Honus Wagner (Gray uniform, Numbered to 200, Sold first to Hartland Collectors Club members)
Other Baseball Statues
Child Baseball Players Set
At Bat (Limited to 250, Originally sold for $15)
On The Field (Limited to 250)
Catcher (Limited to 250)
Pitcher (Limited to 250)
Baseball Kid (Country kid with a baseball glove, standing by a fence)
2009
Ty Cobb (Limited Edition of 100)
Walter Johnson (Collector’s Club Exclusive)
Joe B. Scott (Negro Legends Series, Autographed and Numbered to 100)
Casey Stengel (Limited Edition of 200)
Pitcher (Sports Collectors Digest Exclusive)
2010
Mickey Cochrane (Collector’s Club Exclusive)
Herbert Simpson (Negro Legends Series, Autographed and Numbered to 100)
Wayne Terwilliger (Signature Series, Autographed and Numbered to 100)
2011
Herald “Bee Bop” Gordon (Negro Legends Series, Autographed and Numbered to 100)
Bill “Moose” Skowron (Signature Series, Autographed and Numbered to 100)
Eddie Robinson (Signature Series, “Philly A’s ’53,” Autographed and Numbered to 100)
Enos Slaughter (Collector’s Club Exclusive)
2012
Alexander Cartwright
Jim “Mudcat” Grant (Signature Series, Autographed and Numbered to 100)
Johnny Mize (Collector’s Club Exclusive)
Nathan “Sonny” Weston (Negro Legend Series, Autographed and Numbered to 100)
2013
Jim Thorpe (Baseball)
