Scott
TOPPS executive, Sy Berger, was an avid Ted Williams fan. When Ted returned from his military service in Korea in 1953, TOPPS acquired the Rights to portray him in their 1954 set.
BOWMAN, who had the Rights from before Ted went to Korea in 1952, featured Ted in their 1954 set. And, TOPPS sued BOWMAN and won their case, forcing BOWMAN to discontinue issuing their Ted Williams cards.
In the 1970's and the early 1980's, many in the hobby thought Ted's BOWMAN card was short-printed, or the printing plate broke, etc., etc. for why this card was so difficult to find.
TED Z
T206 Reference
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