Bill McGowan - Rookie
 

Hi All,

I was unsure whether this should go on the post-war forum since the cards involved are post-war, but the person in question had a Hall-of-Fame career that was more pre-war. (If the mods wish to move it, no problem).

Anyways, to the point of the thread...there were very few items of Bill McGowan that were issued during his legendary umpiring career.

According to the Old Cardboard HOF Rookie list (I think this is Phil`s list) the best rookie card for McGowan is the 1949-50 Umpiring School Postcard. These postcards were produced by Groganphoto.

http://www.oldcardboard.com/ref/rook...ail.asp?id=239

Another contender for McGowan`s RC that is not listed in the Old Cardboard info is the 1948-50 Safe-T-Card, which is quite rare. However one was sold in 2013 at H&S (I think Derek might own this card now):

http://apr13.hugginsandscott.com/cgi...l?itemid=55688

Well I`m posting this because I think I have another contender. This is also a Groganphoto Postcard of McGowan, but I`m pretty certain it pre-dates the Umpire School card.

I bought this card at the last REA auction mainly to obtain the tough autograph of McGowan, but also because I knew this would be a very early item of McGowan. It came with the original mailing envelope that McGowan used to send he postcard back to collector, Bob Hooper. That envelope is postmarked November 10, 1948. So I`m quite confident the card dates to 1948 or earlier.

Here are scans of the postcard, auto on reverse, and envelope.

1948 McGowan
 

Very nice McGowan! I'll have to update my "rookie" checklist now! Damn that is a sweet looking PC (and envelope). Thanks for sharing!

Hi Derek,

Thanks - I thought you might appreciate this one!

Cheers,
Blair

Thanks for sharing -- as a HOF collector this is great info.

Scott

Hi Scott,

Happy to contribute - thanks!

Cheers,
Blair