Quote:
Originally Posted by darkhorse9
Can anyone explain why Mickey Mantle never appeared in any Ted Man set?
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It is actually nothing more than contractual. Bowman got the jump on Topps in '51 and landed Mickey exclusively. Topps didn't even approach Mays--according to Willie. In '52 both players signed with Topps and Bowman (Mays also signed with Red Man and was given an all new, electric toaster oven!)
Frankly, Mickey Mantle was oblivious to the fierce rivalry between the card companies. In July of '53, Bowman signed Mickey Mantle for some appliances and a cash bonus to be exclusively in their set. They repeated this in '54.
In early '56, Topps bought Bowman and the rest is history.
Interestingly, Sports Illustrated printed a "Topps-Looking" Mantle in 1954 in black and white. They were careful to change it up a bit.
Here's the '54 from Banty Red's "The Mantle Set". It comes in a green back and a blue back.
I think I might make that Sports Illustrated card on vintage stock and hand color it. That might look cool.
