The artist of the Super Bowl 25th Anniversary print, Merv Corning, lived in the Santa Ynez Valley for many years. He was well known for his art work in the world of sports and passed away several years ago. Being a resident of Santa Ynez Valley, the consignor was fortunate to have been introduced to a unique opportunity to purchase an original poster done by Corning back in the 1980's. Corning was commissioned by Pete Rozelle to produce a print that represented the anniversary of the 25th Super Bowl. Corning, being the character that he was, inserted a number of "interesting subtleties" that were consistent with much of his other art work. In the print he was instructed to include a representation of each of the previous Super Bowls. The final print was to be sent to Canton, Ohio, and hung in the Football Hall of Fame. When Commissioner Rozelle received the original print, he was not a happy camper. What bothered him most were some of the humorous images on the print. First off was the portrait of himself - pictured with a big frown on his face. Going farther, he found a number of other interesting images. The print was sent back to Merv, with suggestions from Mr. Rozelle on how to "clean it up." Mr. Rozelle made it clear that Merv was to destroy the original print. However, Merv printed a few copies of the rejected print for friends. The consignor purchased one of those very limited copies and had it professionally framed. Corning revised the "rejected" print and sent it back to Mr. Rozelle. This print was accepted and became the official Super Bowl 25th Anniversary edition print.
We have included the original Merv Corning print as well as the revised print in order to show the many changes that were made.
We have never seen another example of this original, humorous Super Bowl 25th Anniversary edition print. This has to be a very rare piece of Super Bowl memorabilia.
Merv Corning's put a great deal of wit and humor in making the original print. Some of the more notable changes required by Rozelle were - the frown on his face, the upside down Denver Bronco helmet, the number on the Minnesota Viking bobble head doll (04), with the addition of a couple more player images.
The original, larger print has been framed and matted to a size of 35" by 48".
Also included is a matted copy of the released Super Bowl XXV poster (28" by 38"), a factory sealed set of Super Bowl XXV commemorative edition Cards, and a Super Bowl XXV Special Collector's Edition album featuring the All-Time Super Bowl Team, 1990 AFC and NFC Champions card set.