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Posted By: Dave Hornish

Jeff-yes that timetable of July '49seems spot on. Magic Photos are probably a couple of months after that. This is the year Topps started putting cards with gum and it's amazing how tiny they were. I still marvel at the profitability of one cent packs from the era when you think about the supply and distribution chain:

Raw Gum Ingredients
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Manufacture Gum
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Design Card
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Pay Artist and maybe Writer
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Layout Cards
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Proof Cards
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Print/Cut Cards
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Wrap Gum & Cards then into boxes and cases
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Warehouse/Ship Cards
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Pay for Ads and Placement
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Salesman's Commission
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Wholesaler's Profit
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Retailer's Profit
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All Equals Topps Profit of what, a zillionth of a cent per card? Just Amazing!