Eddie Plank

[clydepepper]

All of this prompts me to ask this question:

WHY is the T206 Plank so scarce?

We all have heard the various theories on why the Wagner is so rare, but I've never heard anything along those lines about the Plank.


As far as the list that was quoted, I assume that it was pre-war only.

I'm not sure if the prices on the '52 Mantle have been this high long enough to consider it a legitimate market value, but, if it has, it would have to be very close to the top on any all-time list.



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[tedzan]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

All of this prompts me to ask this question:

WHY is the T206 Plank so scarce?

We all have heard the various theories on why the Wagner is so rare, but I've never heard anything along those lines about the Plank.
.

I have presented several theories over the years on this forum as to why American Lithographic discontinued issuing the T206 Plank card. Anyhow, I'll spare you the search......

I believe Eddie Plank's aversion of tobacco in any form is the dominant reason. He (most likely) contacted the American Tobacco Co. and and insisted that they cease and desist
issuing his image on tobacco cards.


TED Z
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[rats60]

Originally Posted by tedzan

I have presented several theories over the years on this forum as to why American Lithographic discontinued issuing the T206 Plank card. Anyhow, I'll spare you the search......

I believe Eddie Plank's aversion of tobacco in any form is the dominant reason. He (most likely) contacted the American Tobacco Co. and and insisted that they cease and desist
issuing his image on tobacco cards.


TED Z
.

I have heard 2 theories. That is one, but in addition after t206 cards were released, children were buying cigarettes to get the cards. This turned off Wagner and Plank and ATC stopped producing their cards. The other was that Plank became an exclusive to the local Philadelphia Caramel Co. releases to help the local company.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by rats60

I have heard 2 theories. That is one, but in addition after t206 cards were released, children were buying cigarettes to get the cards. This turned off Wagner and Plank and ATC stopped producing their cards. The other was that Plank became an exclusive to the local Philadelphia Caramel Co. releases to help the local company.

The Caramel Co. was my original theory that I posted on this forum in 2006. I did a lot of research on it, but could not find any real evidence to prove it.
It garnered a lot of interest here and you can read about it...... http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...e+plank+theory

Subsequent research regarding Eddie Plank convinced me that his personal dislike for tobacco was the real factor behind his T206 card's short print run.
And, no subsequent T201, T202, T205, T207 cards.


TED Z
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[Snapolit1]

Cool reading. Thanks to all. Maybe someday I'll buy one.

[Yoda]

Ted, wasn't there also a theory that the reason for the paucity of Plank's T206 card was that the actual printing plate broke and another was never made? John

[Baseball Rarities]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Ted, wasn't there also a theory that the reason for the paucity of Plank's T206 card was that the actual printing plate broke and another was never made? John

Certainly not speaking for Ted, but I think that that is just a tale that has been passed down for decades. If there was a broken plate, then I assume that all of the Planks would be 150 Series cards instead of the reality that they are almost al 350 Series with a small number of 150 Series cards.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Ted, wasn't there also a theory that the reason for the paucity of Plank's T206 card was that the actual printing plate broke and another was never made? John

Hi John

The "broken plate" theory is a myth.

I'm sure you will recall that the same claim was made regarding the 1954 Bowman Ted Williams (#66) card back in the 1970's and 1980's.

This claim was dis-spelled when a former Bowman employee came into Bob Bartosz's shop (in NJ in 1985) with all the printing plates used
to print the 1954 Bowman set. Including duplicate printing plates which had the Ted Williams image on them.

Anyone who is knowledgeable on printing practices will tell us that printers produce multiple plates of given images.


Take care my friend,

TED Z
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[TheBigRedOne]

One's for sale on eBay....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/351878132898