unissued t206 eddie collins (pic)

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

Another great question; and, the simple answer is ....NO.

The dispute, as I theorize (based on my research) was between the owner of American Caramel Co. (ACC)....
David Franklin Lafean (who paid Hershey a Million dollars for the caramel division of Hershey's candy empire)
and the American Tobacco Co. (ATC).

You see, Lafean and Connie Mack were very close friends. Prior to owning ACC, Lafean was the Director of
Gettysburg College, during the time when Eddie Plank was the star pitcher for this school's BB team. This is
were this story begins and developes into an intriguing series of events that leads, not only the discontinuance
of the T206 Plank card....but, the absence of most of the A's in the 1st series of T206's. This story is more
involved than my brief synopsis here that I am relating to you.

So, to summarize.....the dispute between ACC and ATC only involved the Philadelphia A's players for the
following 5 reasons.....

1....ACC was based in Philadelphia

2....Lafean and Mack were very close friends

3....ACC issued the 1st Series (in 1908) of their 120-card BB set (E90-1) before ATC issued their T206 cards.
The E90-1 issue included most of its A's cards in this 1st series.

4....The A's during those years (1901-1911) with Mack's management were the AL team to beat. Philadelphians
were really excited with the A's; and, marketing of any A's related premiums was a tremendous boost.

5....The Phillies during those years were overshadowed by powerful teams like the Cubs, Giants, and Pittsburgh;
and therefore, were certainly not the hometown favorites.

TED Z