Sorry, Uneducated Question. 1952-53 Topps Teddy Ballgame

hotmush

Anyone have the reason why Ted Williams wasn't included in the iconic 52 set or the 53 set?
A quick answer would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Morgoth

He signed a deal with Bowman instead of topps.

hotmush

Thanks for the quick reply.
Very interesting in a time when companies are actively competing for the market.
Seems like the more things change...

earlycalguy

Williams was in the Korean war during this time. he had a 51' Bowman and then a 54' Bowman and was in the war in between

SDSportsFan

<< <i>Williams was in the Korean war during this time. he had a 51' Bowman and then a 54' Bowman and was in the war in between >>




That is exactly correct. Ted was in the 1950 and 1951 Bowman sets. Then he went into the US Marine Corps and flew fighter jets in Korea (his wingman was John Glenn). Then he came back to the states at the end of 1953. Both Bowman and Topps included him in their respective 1954 sets, which lead to Topps filing a lawsuit against Bowman. That is why the 1954 Bowman Ted Williams card is so tough and expensive...Bowman pulled it and replaced it with a card of Jimmy Piersall.

The only cards Ted was on in 1952 were Berk Ross, Red Man and Wheaties. He wasn't on any cards in 1953. It had nothing to do with any Bowman contract, since Bowman didn't include him in their sets either.


Steve

hotmush

Ahh. Thanks for clarifying.