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

[Hatorade]

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 other cards in the set with Marlboro ads either show small portions of the sign or the sign in the background is out of focus. I think Fleer’s biggest concern was running afoul of The Comprehensive Smoking Education Act that was implemented a couple years earlier. The ad on the RJ card is in the middle of the image, perfectly in focus with the Marlboro lettering and the Marlboro Man being almost on display.

Originally Posted by Statfreak101

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

It seems that the method Fleer used to cover the ad for the common cards wasn’t an immediate solution that was available to them. I think they wanted to at least show some due diligence and obscure the tobacco advertising as best as they could while the more permanent fix was in the works.

Was the Ripken FF immediately corrected or is anyone willing to share how long it took Fleer for the common version of that card to come out after the discovery?

Originally Posted by jacksoncoupage

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.

I sent an email to Ted Taylor, who was a former spokesman or VP for Fleer, a few years ago inquiring about the Marlboro variations. He replied to me with this:
“Sorry I cannot help. I joined Fleer in January, 1992. In fact I never heard
anyone speak of any variations there except the Billy Ripken. As for
pointing you in another direction I'm afraid I can't help there either.
Fleer is dead and gone and the employees are spread all over the place.”

I came across some info on another fleer employee from around that time period, but I can’t locate it anymore. It sure would be cool to hear the true story about these cards from someone that was involved.

[Statfreak101]

Originally Posted by Hatorade

The other cards in the set with Marlboro ads either show small portions of the sign or the sign in the background is out of focus. I think Fleer’s biggest concern was running afoul of The Comprehensive Smoking Education Act that was implemented a couple years earlier. The ad on the RJ card is in the middle of the image, perfectly in focus with the Marlboro lettering and the Marlboro Man being almost on display.



It seems that the method Fleer used to cover the ad for the common cards wasn’t an immediate solution that was available to them. I think they wanted to at least show some due diligence and obscure the tobacco advertising as best as they could while the more permanent fix was in the works.

Was the Ripken FF immediately corrected or is anyone willing to share how long it took Fleer for the common version of that card to come out after the discovery?



I sent an email to Ted Taylor, who was a former spokesman or VP for Fleer, a few years ago inquiring about the Marlboro variations. He replied to me with this:
“Sorry I cannot help. I joined Fleer in January, 1992. In fact I never heard
anyone speak of any variations there except the Billy Ripken. As for
pointing you in another direction I'm afraid I can't help there either.
Fleer is dead and gone and the employees are spread all over the place.”

I came across some info on another fleer employee from around that time period, but I can’t locate it anymore. It sure would be cool to hear the true story about these cards from someone that was involved.

That might be the best way to get some more information on this whole thing - ex Fleer employees. They should have nothing holding them back from divulging information, other than their own personal benefit and knowledge.

I know Frank Mustin, who was the grandson and involved has since passed away.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Statfreak101

That might be the best way to get some more information on this whole thing - ex Fleer employees. They should have nothing holding them back from divulging information, other than their own personal benefit and knowledge.

I know Frank Mustin, who was the grandson and involved has since passed away.

I would guess it has been too long for them to remember much of anything. I know a ton of former Score employees. From the janitor to the guy running the plant and many in between. Not a one of them can remember anything from 30 years ago. To them it was just another crappy job that put food on the table.

[jacksoncoupage]

Originally Posted by bnorth

To them it was just another crappy job that put food on the table.

The sad but very understandable truth.

[jacksoncoupage]

From Hatorade’s amazing flikr collection, my nominee for rarest of the box versions. What should this strange, inverted color scheme be called? And if I’m wrong and someone has 200 of them, feel free to let me know!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rjmarl...g/40182763012/

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by jacksoncoupage

From Hatorade’s amazing flikr collection, my nominee for rarest of the box versions. What should this strange, inverted color scheme be called? And if I’m wrong and someone has 200 of them, feel free to let me know!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rjmarl...g/40182763012/

I am horrible at identifying versions from internet pictures. Since you said inverted colors I am fairly sure what version this is. I don't have 200 but I have more than one.

I will try and get up a pic of mine later today.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by jacksoncoupage

From Hatorade’s amazing flikr collection, my nominee for rarest of the box versions. What should this strange, inverted color scheme be called? And if I’m wrong and someone has 200 of them, feel free to let me know!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rjmarl...g/40182763012/

After several attempts I got these 2 pictures. Pretty sure this is the same version as the one in the link.

[Hatorade]

Originally Posted by jacksoncoupage

From Hatorade’s amazing flikr collection, my nominee for rarest of the box versions. What should this strange, inverted color scheme be called? And if I’m wrong and someone has 200 of them, feel free to let me know!

We ended up calling these cards "negatives" because the way the ad appears kind of reminded us of the old photo negatives from camera film. The red one you linked is the lightly tinted form and then they become darker all the way up to the dark "black box" version from your website we referenced earlier.

After looking at the 1987 Donn Jennings Randy Johnson card I think not only did he have no problem being associated with tobacco, but maybe he has a thing for appearing next to the Marlboro ads?

[jacksoncoupage]

Originally Posted by Hatorade

We ended up calling these cards "negatives" because the way the ad appears kind of reminded us of the old photo negatives from camera film. The red one you linked is the lightly tinted form and then they become darker all the way up to the dark "black box" version from your website we referenced earlier.

After looking at the 1987 Donn Jennings Randy Johnson card I think not only did he have no problem being associated with tobacco, but maybe he has a thing for appearing next to the Marlboro ads?

I am thinking something similar. Considering the other 1988, 1989 and 1990 Fleer cards with prominent Marlboro (and other cigarette and alcohol ads), I think there is another, yet revealed, reason for the cover-up.

[Extra Innings]

Originally Posted by Hatorade

After looking at the 1987 Donn Jennings Randy Johnson card I think not only did he have no problem being associated with tobacco, but maybe he has a thing for appearing next to the Marlboro ads?

I don't think the name on the back of that jersey says 'Johnson'. The last letter looks like an 'S'.