Early Bowman Baseball Article - Halting Leaf Gum...

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Posted By: <b>Jeff Shepherd</b><p>I know, I've been posting quite a bit recently. Just been going through the archives and want to get info to interested parties. No sense in having it buried - we all benefit when it's out there. Anyway, found this small article in an industry periodical dated June 7th, 1949. I know of the Bowman/Topps legal battles - interesting that this pre-dates all that, and involves Leaf. <br /><br />What are your thoughts? Was their a Leaf wrapper variation because of this? <br /><br /><img src="http://img.inkfrog.com/pix/ladypaper/BowmanBaseballSuesLeaf-06_07_49-Small.jpg" width="432" height="350">

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Posted By: <b>Ted Zanidakis</b><p>JEFF<br /><br />Thanx for showing us this. Have you read my Old Cardboard article on the 1949 Leaf BB set ?<br /><br />I mention in this article of the Base Ball Gum wars between these two Gum Co. Shown here is one of the major "bones" of contention.<br />In 1948 and 1949 Bowman marketed their BB cards with the banner...."BASE BALL BUBBLE GUM" on their wrapper (shown on left scan). <br />In 1949 Leaf Gum came out with the same notation on their wrappers. Bowman sued Leaf on this and the rights to portray certain players.<br />Bowman won and Leaf changed their wrapper to read "PICTURES" (instead of BASE BALL). Also, they curtailed their 2nd series BB issue.<br /><br />TED Z <br /><br /><img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1197339729.JPG"> <br /><br />edited scan size

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Posted By: <b>Jeff Shepherd</b><p>Hi Ted - <br /><br />I'm playing 15yrs of catchup - definitely need to get some back issues (and a subscription) to Old Cardboard. Great scans - I think Bowman had a legitimate argument.

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Posted By: <b>Paul</b><p>Bowman later sued Topps for using the phrase "Baseball" on their wrappers. Topps won. The court ruled anyone selling baseball cards can use the word baseball.