FT: 1952 Bowman prototype
 

Blank back, clean. I'm interested in trading for either a bunch of regular 1951 Bowmans or for 1 or 2 tough pre-war type cards.

1952 Bowman Brecheen
 

Here's my 1952 Bowman #176 Harry Brecheen. I guess Bowman decided to use a different pose?

Is it possible that's is a '53?

Brecheen didn't have a '53 Bowman, but the prototype looks nothing like the '52.

It's not a prototype or proof of the image they went with, but yes it is from 1952. http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/...e-proof-cards/

Though looking at the REA image now, I see mine is a different copy, so what I originally posted ("1 of 1") is clearly not correct. So, 1 of 2 known examples. In any case, it's still available for anyone interested.

The top image shows the 1951 Cardinals uniform, which replaced blue with black and eliminated the red bill from the cap. Most of the 1952 Bowman Cardinals are wearing this uniform (but not Brecheen). Yet in the 1953 Bowman set, all the players are back to wearing the pre-1951 jersey, which was reintroduced in 1952. It doesn't surprise me that Bowman tested out the 1953 black and white design a year early. I have a couple color 1940 Play Balls proofs, which predate the 1941 color Play Ball set. Also, the design of the 1958 Hires cards was one that was considered for the 1956 Bowman set, which never happened because Topps bought out Bowman.