One of my favorite finds ever, and I am not even a football fan! These figures--with the most fantastic alligatored paint on the blue of their jerseys and sides of their helmets--originally came from the collection of the former head of Syracuse University's art department, whose father played football at SU and was the head coach in 1901. l have found no other football player figures like these and I think they may specifically depict Syracuse University players from about that time, but I am not 100% sure--I have tried to find Syracuse football photos from around that era to check the uniforms, but have not been able to find an exact match. In any event they are really charming and wonderfully graphic, painted front and back, and in excellent, perfectly aged condition.
The three standing figures measure about 10 1/2" tall, 4 1/2" across at the elbows and 1/4" thick. Their green bases measure 5" x 1" x 1". The two kneeling figures measure 7" tall; bases 8" x 1" x 1". The number 21 player has a small piece of wood missing on his foot, as detailed in the last photo, minor. Otherwise all are in excellent structural condition.