©. Oo Leading 52 Window Displays (CONTINUED The DeraLer promotions Installed for as Little as $1.49 IRST prize winners in the 1952 Let’s Play Ball display contest were, in Class 1 (windows with a front of more than ten feet), Floyd E. Tucker, Washington Hardware Co., Tacoma, Wash.; Class 2 (windows of ten feet or under), Steve Kondas, Stambaugh-Thompson, Youngstown, Ohio. Tucker’s window reflected the presidential election year with such signs as ‘Vote for Mr. Baseball!”’ “Landslide for Mr. Baseball’ and “Drafted by Both Parties... .. Mr. Baseball. ... . The People’s Choice.”’ A manikin in full baseball uniform was spotted in the center of the display, with Let’s Play Ball in the background. were Along either arrangements of side equipment. background were a number of photographs of great players and, to the left, a manikin, appropriately attired for active participation in the sport. The top place ad was submitted by Don Harper for Logan & Wheley, Marshall, Tex. It featured the catchy headline, ““Big League Buys for Little League Guys!” Harper also used The DEaLEr’s Let’s Play Ball logotype. The 1952 contest again demonstrated that effective displays can be created with a minimum of ex- pense. For example, the J. Howard Rose Sporting Goods, Bloomington, Ill., installed an excellent display with the expenditure of only $1.49 for props. Numerous other cases could be cited. The Kondas creation had as a centerpiece a cutout figure of a batter against the background of a baseball. To the right was a large Reflecting the growing popularity of leagues for youngsters, baseball for boys was the favorite theme a year ago map with teams of the United States with the phrase, “The Sport extending across it. of America,” Also in the although in in with opening ball some Organized retailers Ball tied of the local base- season. ts Play Ball’ PAGE 89) path— the only path possible in the trade—for a stimulating exchange of ideas and accomplishments. That path is provided by the contests which accompany the events. The Deater regularly publishes photos of the best windows in a special section which and ads may be referred to planning future displays. These by stores illustrated in are invaluable in that they disclose what display trends and techniques are currently most effective in the merchandising of sports equipment. By participating in the contests, retailers can make tinuing reservoir vertising available For profits to install during also and the April prizes, ad- be made plan now Ball window 11 to 18 period one let’s and will a Let’s Play place ments. And sure that a con- of display knowledge to them. or have more and advertise- those photos and tearsheets—they will tell the story of how retailers are meeting the competitive E FROM has based its special is that they open a challenge of 1953. Change in Rawling’s Set-Up; Elliott Vice-President A CHANGE in the _ corporate structure of the Rawlings Mfg. Co., and the formation of a new, wholly owned, selling organization to be known as the Rawlings Sporting Goods Co., was announced January 26 by Claude E. Carr, president. The changes go into effect March 2. The Rawlings Sporting Goods Co. will be charged with selling and distributing Rawlings equipment. No change has been made Grady as manager of division of Rawlings. the baseball Personnel for the two firms remains essentially the same with the exception that promotions have been given to several men to fill some of the newly created administrative positions of both firms. Under the new plan, Mason with Louis and Licking, Subsidiary purchase of its plants Mo., has Rawlings in been a its new in 1946. Under the organization, the Grady company has been merged to the Rawlings 166 in its entirety in- Mfg. Co., with J. H. appointed wilil be is Paul assistant to president. In the newly Sporting Goods has been named created Rawlings Co., T. M. Elliott vice-president and designated assistant comp- In the Rawlings Mfg. Co., Ralph J. Thompson has been promoted to vice-president in charge of production, while O. M. DeGeeter is now vice-president purchases. St. since the Rogers troller. in the corporate J. H. Grady Mfg. which, Newly who Huey, manager. Walter B. Wegman is advanced to comptroller and asSistant secretary, with Richard matters of customer relations as billing, correspondance, advertising, sales coverage, and distribution, the firm will be known as the Rawlings Sporting Goods Co. Co., changed. E. sales manager, while R. O. Morgan has been appointed assistant sales Se in the ownership or general management of the firm, but in such Also involved changes is the Scudder remains as the chairman of the board of both firms, while Carr will be the president of both. Other executive officers remain un- Rawlings recently issued a guide on the care and cleaning of athletic uniforms as a service for retailers. Above, Ray Eliot, left, head coach at the University of lilinois, and Kenny Baldwin of Rawlings sales department, examine the book. THE SPORTING and _ director Also receiving promotions change are Edward L. Cook, to be the new purchasing of in the who is agent, and Charles F. Hagemeyer, newly appointed as director of engineering and design. GOODS DEALER for FEBRUARY, 1953