Frame Size (H x L): 18.5” x 57”
Banner Length (H x L): 47”
Size of Each Pennant (H x L): 3.75” x 8.75”

Offered is a complete string of felt pennants representing the original Big Ten schools, each triangular in form and crafted from colored felt with bold collegiate lettering and seal graphics printed in contrasting inks. The set includes Indiana (red), Michigan State (green), Illinois (navy with orange), Iowa (gold), Michigan (blue with maize), Minnesota (maroon), Northwestern (purple), Ohio State (red), Purdue (gold), and Wisconsin (red). Each pennant is uniform in size, tapering to a sharp point at the bottom, and displays crisp, collegiate block lettering alongside detailed institutional seals rendered with fine linework. The vibrant color palette, paired with the strong felt texture, creates a striking visual display when presented together as a banner.

The set of pennants dates between approximately 1955 and 1965, a period when collegiate imagery and athletic traditions became central to campus culture across the United States. The inclusion of the original Big Ten schools, along with their institutional seals and formal lettering, reflects mid-20th century design trends that emphasized tradition and academic prestige. During this time, universities were expanding rapidly, fueled by the GI Bill, postwar prosperity, and the Baby Boom generation, all of which contributed to swelling enrollments and a deepening culture of school identity. Collectible felt pennants such as these were popular mementos for students and fans, functioning as both souvenirs and emblems of pride.

The Big Ten Conference itself was entering a defining era in the mid-20th century. Formed in 1896 as the Western Conference, it had become firmly established as one of the nation’s premier athletic and academic alliances by the 1950s. Member schools—Indiana, Michigan State, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Purdue, and Wisconsin—were known not only for football and basketball powerhouses, but also for fostering a sense of shared Midwestern identity. Rivalries such as Ohio State vs. Michigan and Indiana vs. Purdue took on even greater significance during this period, drawing national attention and helping to elevate college sports into a cultural force.

The imagery on the pennants is itself an important historical clue in dating the piece. Michigan State University is identified by its full name, which the institution officially adopted in 1955 after previously being known as Michigan State College. This detail confirms that the set could not have been produced before that year. The consistent use of university seals, with their formal Latin inscriptions and detailed institutional crests, reflects a design language common to the 1950s and early 1960s. Later pennants from the late 1960s onward often shifted toward bolder, simplified logos and mascots, part of a broader cultural move toward modern branding and mass marketing.

This period was also one in which college sports were expanding their reach on radio and television, embedding the Big Ten more firmly in the American consciousness. Ohio State’s football dominance under Woody Hayes, Indiana’s and Illinois’ basketball rivalries, and Michigan State’s football rise under coach Duffy Daugherty all occurred within the timeframe of these pennants. Collectors today see such banners not only as decorative pieces, but as artifacts of a golden age of collegiate sport, when the bonds of conference membership and university loyalty were expressed in tangible, enduring forms.

Taken together, these pennants represent more than school pride—they embody the traditions, rivalries, and cultural growth of the Big Ten during the mid-20th century. They tie directly to an era when universities were consolidating their roles as both educational and athletic powerhouses, and when students and alumni alike sought keepsakes that celebrated both their academic institutions and the sports that bound them together.

Conservation Process: This banner was hand sewn to cotton fabric, and both were hand sewn to a mounting board. To prevent the black dye in the cotton fabric from seeping into the banner, it was first washed in a standard wash and then in a dye setting wash.  The banner is positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic.

Frame: The pennants are displayed in a modern frame with a dark finish and simple metallic accents. The frame has a clean, straightforward profile that provides a sharp contrast to the colors of the pennants and allows them to stand out clearly.

Condition Report: The string of pennants remains in strong overall condition, with vibrant colors and well-preserved printed imagery that retains excellent clarity. Minor age toning and light wear can be seen at the edges consistent with handling and display, but there are no significant losses or distracting flaws. The set presents exceptionally well, especially considering its mid-20th century origin.  

Collectability Level: The Great – Perfect for Rising Collectors
Date of Origin: 1955-1965