In The Valley Of The Jolly Green Giant

Longone Antiques

Finally got all three of my 1970's vintage Jolly Green Giant lithographed advertising dolls listed on Etsy.  I know all about these since I grew up with them.  The oldest and biggest was bought by my Grandma with can labels and was my first of the three.  I was young enough to enjoy playing with him and play I did.  He was a willing  patient to my doctor self and he received many many shots to protect him from everything.  Unfortunately it didn't protect him from a small shot hole in his right arm.  He also got no immunity from old age.  Faded, stained, and shifting stuffing I still love that doll cause he reminds me of Grandma.  The smallest Sprout, also courtesy of Grandma and her can labels, was the next toy.  I played with him some but was getting older.  He also aged and faded.  But he is still stiff with stuffing.  By the time Grandma came up with the medium Sprout I was over little kid stuff.  Sad.  But this last Sprout is in the best condition.  Time for me to grow up and move on.  They are all for sale.  To a good home only.

Some History

The Minnesota Valley Canning Company was founded in 1903 in Le Sueur, Minnesota.  A new variety of big green peas was introduced in 1925 and was named Green Giant.  Needing a mascot for the giant pea rollout, the Green Giant was conceived by Carly Stanek (Bingum), who modeled him after a Brothers Grimm fairy tale.  He looked like a hunched over scowling orange caveman with bearskin clothes. In 1935 he was re-imagined by Leo Burnett with leaves, a smile and the addition of the "Jolly" to his name.  The new Jolly Green Giant made his first TV appearance in 1958 and promptly scared kids who saw him as a monster instead of a mascot.  His next appearance on TV was in 1961 where he was given animated helpers and filmed from afar with no closeups.  Laughing "Ho. Ho. Ho." was introduced and success followed. 

In 1973 the Jolly Green Giant was given a pint sized apprentice, Sprout. Sprout, also designed by Leo Burnett, was destined to introduce yummy vegetables to kids. Eager to grow up and learn all he could from the Green Giant, little Sprout absorbs all lessons on growing, canning and freezing vegetables.  Later in the 1980's and 1990's when General Mills owned both Plllsbury and Green Giant Brands Sprout and Poppin' Fresh hung out together in print ads. In 2015 B & G Foods acquired the brand and Sprout got his own Instagram account (@sprout)

"In the valley of the Jolly, Ho, Ho, Ho, Green Giant."