1989 Fleer Randy Johnson #381 Marlboro Errors - 30 Years Later

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Statfreak101

That might be the best way to get some more information on this whole thing - ex Fleer employees. They should have nothing holding them back from divulging information, other than their own personal benefit and knowledge.

I know Frank Mustin, who was the grandson and involved has since passed away.

I would guess it has been too long for them to remember much of anything. I know a ton of former Score employees. From the janitor to the guy running the plant and many in between. Not a one of them can remember anything from 30 years ago. To them it was just another crappy job that put food on the table.

[jacksoncoupage]

Originally Posted by bnorth

To them it was just another crappy job that put food on the table.

The sad but very understandable truth.

[jacksoncoupage]

From Hatorade’s amazing flikr collection, my nominee for rarest of the box versions. What should this strange, inverted color scheme be called? And if I’m wrong and someone has 200 of them, feel free to let me know!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rjmarl...g/40182763012/

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by jacksoncoupage

From Hatorade’s amazing flikr collection, my nominee for rarest of the box versions. What should this strange, inverted color scheme be called? And if I’m wrong and someone has 200 of them, feel free to let me know!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rjmarl...g/40182763012/

I am horrible at identifying versions from internet pictures. Since you said inverted colors I am fairly sure what version this is. I don't have 200 but I have more than one.

I will try and get up a pic of mine later today.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by jacksoncoupage

From Hatorade’s amazing flikr collection, my nominee for rarest of the box versions. What should this strange, inverted color scheme be called? And if I’m wrong and someone has 200 of them, feel free to let me know!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rjmarl...g/40182763012/

After several attempts I got these 2 pictures. Pretty sure this is the same version as the one in the link.

[Hatorade]

Originally Posted by jacksoncoupage

From Hatorade’s amazing flikr collection, my nominee for rarest of the box versions. What should this strange, inverted color scheme be called? And if I’m wrong and someone has 200 of them, feel free to let me know!

We ended up calling these cards "negatives" because the way the ad appears kind of reminded us of the old photo negatives from camera film. The red one you linked is the lightly tinted form and then they become darker all the way up to the dark "black box" version from your website we referenced earlier.

After looking at the 1987 Donn Jennings Randy Johnson card I think not only did he have no problem being associated with tobacco, but maybe he has a thing for appearing next to the Marlboro ads?

[jacksoncoupage]

Originally Posted by Hatorade

We ended up calling these cards "negatives" because the way the ad appears kind of reminded us of the old photo negatives from camera film. The red one you linked is the lightly tinted form and then they become darker all the way up to the dark "black box" version from your website we referenced earlier.

After looking at the 1987 Donn Jennings Randy Johnson card I think not only did he have no problem being associated with tobacco, but maybe he has a thing for appearing next to the Marlboro ads?

I am thinking something similar. Considering the other 1988, 1989 and 1990 Fleer cards with prominent Marlboro (and other cigarette and alcohol ads), I think there is another, yet revealed, reason for the cover-up.

[Extra Innings]

Originally Posted by Hatorade

After looking at the 1987 Donn Jennings Randy Johnson card I think not only did he have no problem being associated with tobacco, but maybe he has a thing for appearing next to the Marlboro ads?

I don't think the name on the back of that jersey says 'Johnson'. The last letter looks like an 'S'.

[jp1216]

Glad I'm not the only one to notice that.

[saucywombat]

Fun thread have enjoyed the read.

Related fun card (I believe) is 1989 Topps Steve Searcy, where a difference in cropping was made that obscures the Marlboro ad. Earlier versions show the ad more clearly later ones don't.

Now all the 1989 Topps Future Stars have these slight cropping variations, so it made me wonder if these differences are perhaps all tied to making a change to the Searcy card to hide the Marlboro ad. Only the Future Stars cards have these cropping differences (and they appear on different printing sheets) so it can reasonably assumed that the cropping was intentionally done for some reason.