Topps and Fleer - sharing images?

[deweyinthehall]

While working on a project recently I noticed something that I'd never noticed before - the images used on Rod Carew's 1982 Fleer card and on his 1982 Topps Action card are identical. How did this happen? Are there any other instances with any of the major manufacturers permitted another to use one of their images? Did they share photographers and did this slip by? Nothing major, of course...but it is curious I think.

[Rich Klein]

Kind of Sort of.

Remember card companies purchase photos from free lance photographers. The photographer sends in slides and the card companies pay for them.

In this case, both companies chose the same photo to purchase for use in their set.

Rich

[ALR-bishop]

In this case Topps sure did a better job producing it

[deweyinthehall]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

In this case Topps sure did a better job producing it

No doubt - the 1982 Fleer set in general looks as if the images were taken by the photographers' kids on Take Your Child to Work Day...

[Mike D.]

I think both the Topps and Donruss update sets in 1986 used the same photo for Bo Jackson.

[Mike D.]

Originally Posted by deweyinthehall

No doubt - the 1982 Fleer set in general looks as if the images were taken by the photographers' kids on Take Your Child to Work Day...

Or maybe the Fleer is a 1982-era photocopy of the Topps image.

[Rich Klein]

Some of those 1982 Fleer Cards have TERRIBLE photography. The 1981 set, while rushed to production, actually had nice photos. 1982 not so much. This is my favorite bad photo.


1982 Fleer - [Base] #387 - Jack Clark
Courtesy of COMC.com

[mrmopar]

When I read the thread title, these cards were exactly what popped into my mind. I remember that when I was buying 82 cards, wondering how might that happen as well.