Amusing lot of Ramones promotional items: a scarce pair of black-and-blue plastic sunglasses with “Ramones” printed on the temples; and a set of three Ready Two Go condom tin packs, the top cover of each bearing the Ramones presidential seal logo reading, “Marky Ramone, Too Tough to Break,” and the bottom of the case featuring a facsimile Marky Ramone autograph. In overall fine condition.
According to Andy Gore, these promotional sunglasses were officially produced by the Ramones to be sold at their merch booths in the 1990s. Fans were not convinced and the sunglasses sold poorly at the band’s shows. Johnny Ramone, however, loved them. He purchased the remaining sunglasses and gave them away to his friends and fans before the sunglasses were finally discontinued.
The condoms were the brainchild of drummer Marky Ramone and were produced after the band had broken up. In honor of National Condom Week in 2008, Marky Ramone unveiled a signature series of safer sex kits as a means to reach sexually active youth and adults in a cool, hip way. Each kit contains two Lifestyles' condoms, lubricant, and an STD resource card. Per Mark Ramone: ‘The world has lost too many people to STDs of all types and that is why I joined up with Ready Two Go for my signature series of safer sex tins.’
From the personal punk rock archives of Andrew D Gore.
