Hallmark "Football Legends Series: Emmitt Smith" Christmas Ornament, 1998

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Artifact Overview

Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Christmas tree ornament

Date Made

1998

Creator Notes

Designed by Dill Rhodus for Hallmark Cards, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri. Made in Sri Lanka.

Object ID

2019.65.2826

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Plastic
Cardboard

Color

Multicolored

Inscriptions

on front and sides of ornament: 22 on back of ornament: E. SMITH / 22 on front of packaging: Hallmark / KEEPSAKE / ORNAMENT / EXCLUSIVE / SB / TRADING CARD / INSIDE / Emmitt Smith / Football Legends / COLLECTOR'S SERIES on back of packaging: Fourth in the Football Legends Series. / Look for series verification 4 on this ornament. / Growing up in Pensacola, Florida, / watching televised football, young / Emmitt Smith adopted the Dallas / Cowboys as "his" team. He even / predicted, "Someday I'm gonna play / for the Cowboys!" His Escambia / High School Gators were state / champions, and after three years of / college at Florida, he turned pro. / He was NFL Offensive Rookie of / the Year in 1990, and he continues / to roll up the yardage, eclipsing / the 10,000 career-rushing yards / mark in 1996. / This series of Keepsake Ornaments / honors a different football superstar / each year. / Sculpted by / Dill Rhodus / For decorative use only. / Not for young children. / Handcrafted on top of packaging: Hallmark / KEEPSAKE ORNAMENT / 25 Years of Collecting Memories / 1973 -1998