1989 Fleer Randy Johnson #381 Marlboro Errors - 30 Years Later

[jp1216]

83272 (the 327th day of 1988) would be November 22nd. That is about the earliest date I've seen. 100% sure I haven't seen anything in the 831xx range.
The latest codes I've seen FWIW are around 917xx. Prices have certainly gone up in the past few years. You couldn't give these away 15 years ago.

OT - weren't there other '89 Fleer with Marlboro ads in the background?

[Statfreak101]

Originally Posted by jp1216

83272 (the 327th day of 1988) would be November 22nd. That is about the earliest date I've seen. 100% sure I haven't seen anything in the 831xx range.
The latest codes I've seen FWIW are around 917xx. Prices have certainly gone up in the past few years. You couldn't give these away 15 years ago.

OT - weren't there other '89 Fleer with Marlboro ads in the background?

There is earlier...

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by jp1216

83272 (the 327th day of 1988) would be November 22nd. That is about the earliest date I've seen. 100% sure I haven't seen anything in the 831xx range.
The latest codes I've seen FWIW are around 917xx. Prices have certainly gone up in the past few years. You couldn't give these away 15 years ago.

OT - weren't there other '89 Fleer with Marlboro ads in the background?

I can't remember the exact number, I think it is 4 or 5 other players with a Marlboro sign in the background.

[jp1216]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I can't remember the exact number, I think it is 4 or 5 other players with a Marlboro sign in the background.

I'm sure it's been discussed - but why was only the Johnson card targeted for correction? Is there a story behind it?

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by jp1216

I'm sure it's been discussed - but why was only the Johnson card targeted for correction? Is there a story behind it?

The only story I have heard is that Randy is very religious and didn't want the advertisement displayed. How true that is I have no idea.

[Statfreak101]

Originally Posted by bnorth

The only story I have heard is that Randy is very religious and didn't want the advertisement displayed. How true that is I have no idea.

Yes, I have heard this as well - that he didn't like the sign, or being in a picture with that sign.

With that said - the million dollar question. Why the heck wasn't the black box/corrected version just done right away?

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Statfreak101

Yes, I have heard this as well - that he didn't like the sign, or being in a picture with that sign.

With that said - the million dollar question. Why the heck wasn't the black box/corrected version just done right away?

As someone who was collecting back then the answer in my opinion was cash. Error cards were a big thing at that time and sold for huge premiums. Higher sale price on individual cards leads to more new unopened product selling.

[jacksoncoupage]

Originally Posted by bnorth

As someone who was collecting back then the answer in my opinion was cash. Error cards were a big thing at that time and sold for huge premiums. Higher sale price on individual cards leads to more new unopened product selling.

I don’t know if this one was an intentional variation. Virtually zero publicity for this card until a tiny blurb in the annual Beckett stating its “discovery” in 1999. Ten years later! And I believe this note wasn’t even added to the books until the 2002 annual.

As for the why...From a production standpoint, could Randy have seen the card and complained about it post production? We know that Fleer was printing and distributing cards by mid-November 1988. Maybe earlier, but unverified, if so. We know that by mid-November the card had seen multiple cover-up attempts. Did Randy somehow see one of the few clear examples immediately upon release and object to the ad? How did he see it so quickly? I’ve never heard of a card company sending proofs to players before production. I don’t believe that is a thing. Very odd but I’m doubtful that Randy’s objection is the cause for it.

What’s really surprising to me is that nobody has managed to track down someone in the know. No Fleer people on the record even sharing conjecture, questionable memories.