MLB Gift Catalogs Players were given for picture rights

[Fur72]

Hi, long time lurker here. Back in the late 40's, pre players union MLB players were given a catalog to choose a gift in exchange for their rights to use their pictures on Bowman or Topps. Does anyone know if there are catalogs in existence? Or am I way off here?

[mattjc1983]

Familiar with the concept having read about it across several books, but haven't ever heard about one up for sale.


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[Fur72]

That's exactly where I have read about them. It's hard for me to believe a few didn't survive.

[ALR-bishop]

I had not heard about this Cory. Would be an interesting item. Have you seen a picture or scan of one ? Did what you read say who produced them ?

[Fur72]

I will have to go back and look but I believe it was in the book "Mint Condition". Either Sy Berger or Marvin Miller (Not 100%)would give these to players to pick a gift. I think there was a story about Willie Mays writing a letter about a toaster he chose out of the catalog that stopped working. I have never seen one nor a scan of one.

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I had not heard about this Cory. Would be an interesting item. Have you seen a picture or scan of one ? Did what you read say who produced them ?

[ALR-bishop]

In his book, The Bubble Gum Card War, covering the Topps and Bowman competition and sets, 1948 to 1955, Dean indicates that in 1951 Bowman was offering players $ 100 for a contract to use their likeness. Topps was paying
$ 125 for an exclusive contract and $ 75 for a non exclusive contract. Many payers apparently signed more than one exclusive contract....although contracts were not exclusive as to the use of the likeness alone, but in connection with the marketing of the likeness with candy and or gum ( confections)

I did find the reference you mention in Mint Condition at page 106/107. Apparently Topps tried to get players to take goods in place of or as a partial replacement of some of the $ 125 cash payment. It says Topps bought certain household goods in bulk and listed them in a catalog or brochure it sent to each clubhouse. Such goods were apparently of more interest to some players than the cash

If the catalogs/brochures were produced by a 3d party without reference to Topps it might be hard to identify it as a baseball related item. I know some companies used to hire a 3d party to produce catalogs of gifts their employees could chose as sales incentive awards. By contrast the later Topps Rookie Award Banquet programs are more identifiable as a Topps specific publication and might have been kept as collectible

[DBesse27]

Rico petrocelli was just talking about this on his weekly PSA podcast. He chose an item over cash but I can't remember which item.

[Mark70Z]

I know a player was given a choice of a gift or cash. I missed out on the Brooks Topps file copy years ago (should have bid higher!). My understanding is that Topps had a catalog for the players to view. Personally I haven't seen one. I'll attach a file card for reference (not mine).

[mikemb]

I know my picture is not the best quality but Dan Pfister, Kansas City Athletics (1962-1965) chose a 19 inch RCA portable TV each time in his first two years and a GE dishwasher in his third year.

Mike

[toppcat]

They exist for sure- a peek can be found on my blog:

http://toppsarchives.blogspot.com/20...uits-them.html

[sbfinley]

I always assumed it continued until sometime much later per these contracts:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Topps-A...MAAOSw3h1ZSyBn

[ALR-bishop]

I should have known to check Dave's blog first

[Fur72]

This is incredible! Thanks everyone for the input. I would love to acquire one if anyone is selling.