The Kickoff Appraisal

Norman Rockwell - Coin Toss (The Kickoff)

This item is a large-format framed print of the iconic 1938 illustration 'Coin Toss' (also known as 'The Kickoff') by Norman Rockwell, originally created for the Saturday Evening Post. The artwork depicts two lanky adolescent football players and a short, stout referee tossed in a coin flip, captured in a classic mid-century Americana style. The print features a soft, high-fidelity color palette with dominant tones of autumnal yellows, sky blue, and the vibrant red and deep blue of the players' jerseys. The paper appears to be a high-quality heavy stock, mounted inside a generous white mat board that provides a clean border around the image. The piece is housed in a simple, dark wood frame with straight edges and a slight mahogany-colored finish. Notable features include Rockwell's signature character expressions—the players looking skyward with anticipation while the referee maintains a stern, focused gaze. The craftsmanship of the print demonstrates excellent detail in the fine lines of the players' old-style gear and the distant crowd. The condition of the piece appears fair to good; while the print itself shows vibrant colors, there is a visible shadow or potential moisture stain on the upper portion of the mat board on the right side. The frame shows minor surface wear consistent with age. This piece likely dates from the late 20th century as a high-quality decorative reproduction of the classic 1930s era work.