Images(2)

Bag, Sport

Object number2016.110.1

Manufacturer Airline Textile Manufacturing Company

Date1970-1972

OriginDes Moines, IA

MediumVinyl/Plastic/Metal/Paint/Fiberboard

Credit LineGift of Eric Miles

DescriptionRed vinyl Pittsburgh Condors gym bag. Gray metal zipper along top opening with white vinyl tabs at the ends. Two handles riveted to bag proper. Bag and handles have red plastic piping. Four circular metal feet on underside. Gold painted text on sides have Condors' logos. Painted gold maker's mark and place for owner's information on underside. White vinyl lining on inside where handles are connected. Rectangular rigid fiberboard (Masonite) inside the bottom.Dimensions12 x 19.75 x 7.5 in. (30.5 x 50.2 x 19.1 cm)
InscriptionsGold painted text on sides "condors".
MarksPainted gold on underside "THIS BAG PROPERTY OF / NAME / ADDRESS / CITY STATE / MFG. BY AIRLINE TEXTILE MFG. CO., DES MOINES, IOWA, USA / ... / Style No. R926".

Maker's mark on zipper tongue "Air / Tex".
Historical NotesThe Pittsburgh Condors were originally called the Pittsburgh Pipers and were part of the American Basketball Association. They played their games in the Civic Arena, and had a successful first season, winning the 1968 ABA Championship. Despite their early success the team left Pittsburgh for Minnesota for one season. They came back to Pittsburgh in 1970 and had a name the team contest to garner more support and fans. Fans picked the name Pioneers, but that name already belonged to Point Park College and so they team ownership picked the name Condors. The games were not well attended and so for the 1971-1972 season, Condor management attempted to change their image with heavy marketing, a new logo and uniforms, but the games were still not well attended, and the team folded after that season. The bag is most likely from the heavy merchandising that happened after they revamped the logo for the 1971-1972 season.

Related institution Pittsburgh Condors

Related institution American Basketball Association

Related institution Pittsburgh Pipers

Subjects

Terms

On View

Not on view