Mount Rushmore of Industry Icons

[tedzan]

OK, it's unanimous that Jefferson Burdick gets the # 1 spot on whatever mountain we sculpture his image on.

In another category (that of producing trading cards)…. J. Warren Bowman, and his genius behind the Bowman Gum Co. (initially GUM, Inc.), George Moll,
deserve a huge tribute.
They replaced Goudey in 1938 - 1942 as the foremost producer of Sports and Non-Sports cards in the country. And of course, they revived the hobby after
WWII by producing quality cards in 1948 thru 1953.

George Moll operated an Advertising Agency (Abington, Pennsylvania). He employed 12 artists who designed all the Sports & Non-Sports card that Bowman
produced from 1938 to 1955.


TED Z

T206 Reference
.

[bijoem]

Archive.

Archive must be included in the list.

[polakoff]

I continue to be in awe at the names produced here.

One thing I would note is that I don’t think it has to be — or should be — all founding fathers types. After all, Teddy Roosevelt was “modern” at the time of Mount Rushmore.

And I will tell you that since votes are being sourced from all over, including a brick and mortar shop, there is sure to be at least one name some here would find a disappointment. But in the end the list will be a completely defensible one. The real debate brewing is whether there should be a player or not. That seems to be the flashpoint of discussion both here and elsewhere.

[rainier2004]

Burdick and Wharton seem like no brainers to me, the ultimate pioneers of the hobby amassing piles of cards driven by the simple passion of collecting.

I wouldn't include the sports figures or those whose greatest accomplishments had to do with business like Rosen, Orlando, etc. Someone like Lipset added immensely to the hobby in addition to running auctions and Id consider him much more influential.

I think the answers are based more on if its a hobby or a business. I don't care about TPGs, selling high grade cards or all the other stuff that goes with industry growth. I care about the research and compilation, bringing awareness and opening the doors to knowledge and bringing others into the hobby based on the DNA of collecting. So Im not sure who'd I name the other two but know who I wouldn't.

[Bram99]

Since the original Mt. Rushmore has a "Teddy" on it. I think the baseball card one should as well.

Ted Z!