The American Tobacco Company (ATC) issued the cards in cigarette packs in 1909. But Wagner, one of the best players at the time, had refused to give ATC permission to use his image on the cards. (Most likely it was because he was anti-tobacco, but it might have been because he wanted more money--the exact reason is lost to history.) So Wagner threatened to sue and forced ATC to recall the cards. ATC thus ended production of the Wagner card, but only after 60 to 100 of the cards got out to the public. About 50 of them are known to still exist. That scarcity is the reason for the mind-boggling value of the card.

 

What does a 103-year-old baseball card have to do with employment law? Kansas has long recognized a common-law action for invasion of privacy. The right of privacy actually consists of several distinct rights, one of which is protection from “appropriation.” The Honus Wagner card is a perfect example of appropriation: one person or entity uses another person’s name or image, without permission, to advertise its business or product. Appropriation claims can arise from the employment relationship if the employer uses pictures of an employee in advertising or promotional materials without consent.  

 

The Kansas Supreme Court first recognized a cause of action      Continue Reading...