1963 Fleer Question

[GasHouseGang]

Many years ago (around 1977), I was trading cards with a slightly older guy, and he was offering some beautiful 1963 Fleer baseball cards in trade. I asked where he got them, and he produced a white envelope stuffed with multiple copies of certain players. He said that they had been given to the local Little League to hand out and these had been extras. Has anyone else ever heard of this program or found piles of crisp 1963 Fleers? I remember getting Yaz, Brooks Robinson, and Bob Gibson. Those are some I can remember. He seemed to only have star cards. I don't remember any "commons". I'd be interested to hear of any other similar experiences.

[ALR-bishop]

Based on what I have read in FTC decisions in regard to Topps and Fleer disputes in the 60s, the 63 Fleer offering, while admired today, performed poorly in the market and was the cause of Fleer scrapping a second series. ( I have never seen nothing supporting the notion that Topps stopped it through litigation).
Topps did not have player contracts that gave them exclusive rights to produce cards with a player’s likeness, but the contracts purported to give them exclusive rights to market the cards with confections and gum. Hence the 60 Leaf marbles and Fleer cookies. The market seemingly preferred gum

I guess it is possible Fleer was looking for secondary ways to move or dispose of excess inventory.