Quote:
Originally Posted by G1911
I've seen the letter, and do not doubt some were mailed out like this like the 33 Goudey Lajoie, but the very large surviving population seems to indicate this card was probably packed out early in the run. Due to the legal issues, I doubt Fleer would have told collectors this. The card is awfully common to be something given out only in an unadvertised response to a letter. "Several" vs. thousands.
|
There's stories of some collectors getting them in packs when issued, sometimes multiples even. The first press run, or part of it, which probably centered around Philly and environs, likely made it out the door with #68 before it got shut down. I know Topps had the ability to physically remove certain cards just before packaging, I assume Fleer could do so as well.
Fleer also had wax packs with no gum in 1959 (they added more cards to them). I think some #68's escaped in these as the Topps contract would specify they had Bucky's rights for cards sold with gum or confections.