#24 • Colonel Sanders "Our Colonel" Bobblehead and Promotional Figurine Group

Part of The Colonel Sanders Artifact Collection (live auction by The Menish Group Auction & Real Estate)

High bid $1,700.00

Status: Sold

DESCRIPTION Group consisting of two Colonel Harland Sanders character figures. Included is a painted "Our Colonel" bobblehead depicting Sanders holding a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken and his trademark cane, together with a molded white Colonel Sanders figurine marked "Col. Sanders" at the base. The white figure bears a 1972 copyright marking for Margaret Corp. and was manufactured in Canada. Both figures portray Sanders in his signature white suit, black string tie, eyeglasses, and goatee. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Promotional character figures and bobbleheads became popular advertising tools during the mid-twentieth century, helping companies extend brand recognition beyond traditional advertising. Colonel Sanders was among the earliest restaurant founders to become a widely recognized commercial personality, making licensed collectibles and promotional figures an important part of Kentucky Fried Chicken's merchandising efforts. STORY & CONTEXT By the 1960s and 1970s, Colonel Sanders had become one of the most recognizable advertising figures in the world. His image appeared on restaurant signage, packaging, promotional materials, and a variety of licensed merchandise. The included "Our Colonel" bobblehead reflects the growing popularity of character-based advertising collectibles, while the molded figurine presents a stylized interpretation of Sanders as the public face of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Together, these pieces illustrate the enduring appeal of Sanders' likeness and the role his personal image played in building one of the world's most successful restaurant brands.