B16 Flannels

B16 are non-fringed flannels. J.R. Burdick referred to these in the American Card Catalog as B16 "College Seals". They come in two "types" - "Type 1" and "Type 2". Burdick mentioned that Type 1 flannels have letters in the corners, while Type 2 flannels have conventional borders and are 6 1/2" x 9" in dimension. More research has also determined that Type 1 flannels have two variations. Type 1A and Type 1B. B16-1A's feature a shield with crossed pennants and generally contain orange and white in the background. Letters in corners are at an angle. The B16-1B series' identifying features are a smooth shield with no pennants, maroon background, and the letters in corners are in square boxes. The B16 Type 2 flannel has no connection to basketball. It has a completely different appearance - more like a a fancy Persian rug with a school insignia/emblem in the center and no fringe. There are two basketball B16 felts - Southern California and Kentucky. They are both Type 1 flannels. Southern California is a Type 1A felt, while the Kentucky is a Type 1B felt. Both measure approximately 5 1/4" tall x 8" wide. For many years, I thought one flannel was referring to Kentucky State. However, that flannel actually refers to Lexington, Kentucky - not Frankfort - and displays the Kentucky motto on the seal. Each flannel is decorated on the borders with basketball and basketball nets. The Southern California felt is common and can be acquired relatively easily at a decent price. The Kentucky felt is extraordinarily rare and quite expensive.

B16 Flannel_Kentucky 1912

B16 Flannel_Southern California 1912