Decorative baseball-themed syrup dispenser issued by Fan-Taz, the "Drink of the Fans." This is universally regarded as one of the most attractive baseball display/advertising pieces ever produced. It is also exceedingly rare. While we do not know exactly how many of these dispensers have survived, it is probably fewer than twenty. This is just the sixth we have offered in the past twenty-three years and their appearance at public auction is normally measured in years, not months.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the only baseball-themed syrup dispenser ever produced and the makers certainly "hit a home run," with its design. The large porcelain dispenser is in the shape of a baseball, complete with raised seams. The painted graphics on the front feature a baseball bat pictured horizontally in the center, with the text reading "5¢ Drink Fan-Taz - Drink of the Fans 5¢." The text along the base proclaims the drink, "A Pennant Winner."

The porcelain body displays minute crazing throughout, but all the boldly painted graphics remain complete, with no chipping. The metal unit on top that dispenses the syrup is not original to the piece but it fits perfectly and with the addition of the porcelain ball on top is, in our opinion, much more attractive than the unit it replaces. This is an outstanding example of this iconic baseball display piece and one that is a requisite for any advanced baseball memorabilia collection. Height (including the dispensing unit) 17". Circumference: 32". Please note: the size and/or weight of this lot will necessitate an increased shipping charge.