Three card Topps and Bowman strips have been around for a long time. I recall seeing them in the early 80's in bigger shops and at shows. Their true origin is not necessarily known, some may have been cut to use a promos other possibly after the fact from sheets. I have several now, including a 53 Bowman color. But the pre-54 Bowman's would almost certainly cut from production sheets when used as sales tools.
Topps were promotional geniuses-their sales and PR groups were constantly coming up with gimmicks, contests and incentives far beyond anything Bowman was doing.
Last edited by toppcat; 07-30-2020 at 08:12 AM.
|