It was sportswriters that were paid to get the permission of the ballplayers for the tobacco company's to use their pictures. I think his refusal is the best explanation ,for the rarity of Planks t206 card and lack of inclusion in most tobacco cards but I haven't been able to find anything that mentions it from that time period but I have found proof that Wagner refused to let them use his image.
from an Oct. 28 1912 newspaper
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from an Dec. 24 1912 newspaper
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