It is entirely possible that Plank refused to allow the use of his image, they printed his card even without his signature (like the Ball and Hyland letters), Plank issued a cease and desist, American Lithography pulled his card, American Lithography then issued his card in the 350 series again, Plank sent another cease and desist or American Lithography pulled it without a second cease and desist.
I have not seen any evidence that any of these single events actually happened though, much less this chain. It is a possibility, one among many, unless there is some significant primary source evidence I am not aware of.
I don't think the plate theory is more likely than that American Lithography twice printed a card for Plank even though they didn't have his rights, and had a cease and desist order.
Some pulled American Lithography cards have some evidence (Wagner, the time period article on it being pulled), very strong circumstantial that supports a theory though it can hardly be said to be a fact (T227 Rodgers & Brown, their deaths), and others where there doesn't seem to be reasonable grounds to assert a theory is correct (T206 Plank, T220 Donovan & Corbett, etc.).
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