INSIDE THE PARK COLLECTIBLES HOLIDAY AUCTION
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/13/2008
"Anri" is a well established wood carving that along with Carter- Hoffman also made a series of college mascot statues. This Army statue statue depicts their mascot mule. It is almost 5.5" tall. There is a small chip in one ear and a number of scuffs to the wood. It still displays nicely.
ARMY TRADITION: The tradition of mules as mascots for Army dates back to 1899, when an officer at the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot decided that the team needed a mascot to counter the Navy goat. Mules were an obvious choice, as they were used as haulers for Army gear for generations. Not much is known about the "official" mules until 1936, when Mr. Jackson (named for Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson), a former Army pack mule, arrived from Front Royal, Virginia. He served for twelve years, presiding over two national championship teams. Starting with Mr. Jackson, there have been fifteen "official" Army mules, only one, "Buckshot," being female.
50's ARMY "ANRI" MASCOT STATUE
Click above for larger image.