1952 Topps - The Missing 3

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

Agree. I believe it was at least a partially licensed set but the litigants versus Hit Parade et al (the firms named in the original lawsuit) had representation contracts with some but possibly not all of the players in the set. I believe that's why their initial "test run" Berk Ross set in 1951 included so many outside MLB. I believe their initial legal complaint was based upon their $20 compensation was not enough for the rights to their "NIL" and therefore the request for $50K in total. (I could not find the original suit yet - just Lemke's summary). I believe the players ended up losing the legal battle, but this set the stage for the later NIL legal proceedings with Haelean, Shapiro and Marvin Miller, etc.

I have a 1953 Bowman Mickey Vernon but it doesn't have any actual dollar amount listed. I also have a card contract of Mickey Owen for 1955 Topps. He had a choice of picking a Polaroid camera, a set of Spalding Golf clubs, RCA Hi-Fi Phonograph, or a check. Does not give amount check would be. I have owned a few others and the players made very little from the card companies based on the ones I have seen/owned.