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Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
No need to start with Checklists, or basic facts regarding the 1949 BOWMAN set. I am sure most of you are well versed on these fundamentals.
I will post interesting bits of information which I have gleaned from my experiences collecting these cards and uncut sheets since I was age 11. Stay tuned for a lot of pictures, plus my research into this set. And, feel free to Show-N-Tell of your 1949 BOWMAN cards (and/or experiences). Circa June 1949, candy store windows in the Philadelphia area were displaying these 1949 BOWMAN adv. banners promoting their fourth-coming series of BB cards. http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...SeriesXx25.jpghttp://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...SeriesZx25.jpghttp://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...SeriesXx25.jpg Complete 4th series uncut 36-card sheet [this series (cards #109 - 144) were issued in the Summer of 1949] http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...seriesheet.jpg I can tell you that the kids in our neighborhood were really excited when this series of cards were available in the Summer of 1949. These cards were more colorful than the earlier Bowman's, the players names were printed on their fronts, and on the backs of the cards were facsimile autographs. http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...VanderMeer.jpghttp://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...anderMeerB.jpg TED Z T206 Reference . |
Great topic, Ted! Will show off my three cards from the set. I'm curious if you know much about the grayish background variants occasionally seen for cards like the Campy RC.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...068ac512d1.jpg
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Looking forward to hearing and seeing more, Ted.
I know the info is most likely out there but while I'm here and it's on my mind, what's the story behind the 1952 Topps Look and See cards? I assume they were sold in separate packs away from baseball but were they released around the same time? I can also assume they weren't near as popular as the 52 Topps baseball cards, but did some want them for the Babe Ruth card? Thanks in advance, Ted. :) |
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The gray variations always looked like missing color printing passes to me.
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Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
Hi Jason
" Great topic, Ted! Will show off my three cards from the set. I'm curious if you know much about the grayish background variants occasionally seen for cards like the Campy RC. " I have about 60+ "grayish" ( I refer to them as SLATE) cards in one of my 1949 BOWMAN sets. The Hi # Slate cards are extremely difficult to find. Here is a sample of some of my Slate cards...... http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...SislerDoby.jpg The majority of the Slate cards are cards normally with Green, Light Blue, Orange, or Yellow pastel colors. Very rarely you can find a Slate that normally is Red or dark Blue. In a forthcoming post, I will display my uncut sheet (36-cards) which includes 17 cards that were not printed with their normal background colors (i.e., Slates). TED Z T206 Reference . |
Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
Here is a 3rd series complete sheet (cards #4, 74 - 108). Note that it includes 17 cards with Slate backgrounds.
These 17 cards normally have Green or Orange backgrounds. http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...bowman49.3.jpg The 1949 BOWMAN cards were issued in the Spring of 1949. Depending what part of the country you were in, the 1st and 2nd Series cards [#1 - 73 (minus #4)] were available at the start of the BB season. For instance, if you lived in the South, then only cards [#1 - 3, 73, 5 - 36] were available in the Spring. Followed by cards #37 - 72 which were available in May or June. Pictured above are the 3rd Series cards (#4, 74 - 108) which were available Circa June of 1949. Post #1 in this thread depicts the 4th series of cards (#109 - 144) which were issued in the Summer of 1949. The tough Hi numbers were issued in Sept. of 1949. The 5th series cards (#145 - 180) are the most difficult to find. The 6th series cards incl. [#181 - 240 (and the 12 variations)]. Stay tuned for more info on the 5th & 6th series. This classic set of 252 cards is the first large set of BB cards issued since the 1940 Play Ball set. Furthermore, approx. 40 % of the subjects in the 1949 BOWMAN set are ROOKIE cards. OK, enough said for now....now show us some of your favorite cards in this set. TED Z T206 Reference . |
Olive oil in amber
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Orange and Red Dodgers
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Green
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Hi Dale I'm sorry, but I cannot answer your question regarding the Look-N-See set. We had "tons" of 1952 TOPPS (regular issue) cards in our neighborhood. But, we never saw any Look-N-See packs. And, this wasn't just limited to our neighborhood, for we rode our bikes to other areas (miles away) to search for more, or different cards. The only ones available to us kids were BOWMAN's and TOPP's. Perhaps, some one on this forum will chime in here and tell us about the Look-N-See cards. TED Z T206 Reference . |
Interesting thread.
Over the years, I have seen a lot of the 1948 Bowman basketball slates and eBay sellers would call them "rare variations" and try to get more money for them. However, I later discovered that these were printers' scrap and were given to kids by Zabel Bros. employees. They were later hand-cut and this is why you aren't going to find any sitting in a slab with a numerical grade. These cards get the AUTH designation only. Now the 1949 Bowman baseball slates posted by Peter and Ted above don't look hand-cut at all. Hmmm ... interesting. |
Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
Here are two examples from 60+ Slate cards in my collection. One is obviously hand-cut (Salkeld); and, the other is Factory-cut.
A fair number of these color-error cards are indeed Factory-cut. And that does not surprise me because when I opened up 1949 BOWMAN 5-cent packs, I do remember finding color-error cards. Not that often; nevertheless, some which were mostly from the 3rd Series issue. http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...lkeldSLATE.jpg Hi samosa4u Here is an uncut sheet of Hi # cards (#37 - 72) from the 1948 BOWMAN Basketball set that you alluded to. Typically, Zabel Bros. employees would take home such mis-printed sheets. Eventually, these 36 cards would be cut up then distributed into the hobby. Quite a number of these sheets were discovered back in the 1970's. http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...rorSheet50.jpg TED Z T206 Reference . |
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So the slate sheets for the 1948 Bowman basketball series were all rejected, but the following year some of the slate sheets for the 1949 baseball series ended up being factory cut and inserted into packs. I wonder what happened here. It looks like Zabel Bros. just decided to send some of the slate sheets to Bowman and left it up to them. Bowman obviously had no problem with them, otherwise, I don't think they would have ended up being sold to the public. |
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Sorry for hijacking your post with 52 Topps card questions, Ted. I wasn't thinking. :o Not a lot of info out there, like when they came out or availability, etc, that I could find but did find these 2 links with a bit of info. https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/no...ok-n-see/28128 https://www.cardboardconnection.com/...-trading-cards Thanks Ted. :) Dale |
Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
Major Rookie cards in 1949 BOWMAN set....starting off with Ashburn, Campy, Lemon, Roberts, Snider, and Wynn. Stay tuned for more Rookie cards will be displayed.
Although some publications identify the 1949 BOWMAN cards of Jackie Robinson, Satchell Paige, and Larry Doby as being their Rookie cards....this is not true. http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...nCampyPSA4.jpghttp://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...eSnider25x.jpghttp://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...hburn1949b.jpg ROOKIE card.....issued Summer 1947 ………………..…....…….… 1948 ……..…...…..…....….. 1949 http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...obby1948BT.jpghttp://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...ieRobinson.jpg http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...JRobbyPSA5.jpg ROOKIE card......issued Summer 1949 ……………………………..………....……… Fall 1949 http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...afPaige50x.jpg . . http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...anPaige50x.jpg ROOKIE card......issued Summer 1949 …………………..……………....…… Fall 1949 http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...eafDoby25x.jpg . . http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...ryDoby1951.jpg TED Z T206 Reference . |
bowman
Wow, that's some cool stuff there Ted !
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What a great topic! My favorite set
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How many RCs in the set, Ted?
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Ted, I remember well a long discussion many moons ago back in the 90's at
the old show in Asbury Park, NJ discussing the '49 Bowman set, one we both collected. So how about a little chat about the beautiful PCL Bowman subset. Best, John |
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My only '49.
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The "Walking Man" -- still 11th all-time in walks drawn
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The pickle-salesman who stopped Ted Williams at 84 games reaching base
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Can't wait to read your findings. I have the Cubs from set but didn't post. However, it seems only one series had facs auto on back. Only 130, 134 and 142 have facs autos. In addition I have both white and gray backs for some of the 1st Series. I also have the Bob Sheffing with name and no name so don't know how many more were printed this way. Unfortunately don't have any "slate" backgrounds so have something else to look for. Thanks.
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Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
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Hey John Great to hear from you....thanks, you bring back some great memories of the Asbury Park Shows at the Jersey Shore. OK, you beat me to it, I intend to eventually get into the 1949 BOWMAN Pacific Coast League (PCL) set.....but not yet. Anyhow, here is a preview for you....some seldom seen PCL cards..... http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...bowmanpcl1.jpg Stay tuned for more PCL stuff. TED Z T206 Reference . |
Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
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There are 2 tiers of Rookie cards in the 1949 BOWMAN set. HOFers…...Ashburn, Campanella, Lemon, Roberts, Snider, Wynn Other players....Approx. 100 more Rookie cards. This is still a work in progress, as there are numerous 1947 TIP TOP cards of which I'm cross-checking with the 1949 BOWMAN cards. I should have a complete Rookie list tomorrow. TED Z T206 Reference . |
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Here are a few from a small group I picked up earlier this year. I wonder if any of the prizes are still around like the rings or the baseball game...
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Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
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Hi Rob I have the Baseball bank. Haven't seen the Ring in many-a-moon. http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...BowmanBank.jpg TED Z T206 Reference . |
Thanks for posting the baseball bank, Ted. I had not seen that before.
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Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
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Checklist of ROOKIE cards in the 1949 BOWMAN set...... Card # .. Subject 1 Bickford 2 Porterfield 8 Dickson 10 Gray 13 Chesnes 14 Simmons 15 Garver 16 Kozar 17 Torgeson 21 Baumholtz 25 Scheib 28 Kolloway 30 Seminick 31 Kokos 32 Yost 35 Raschi 39 Goodman 43 Mitchell 44 Philley 45 Westlake 46 Roberts...……….….. * 57 Bearden 62 Hatton 67 Dark 74 McBride 76 Nicholson 78 Zoldak 79 Northey 81 Stallcup 83 Scheffing 84 Campanella…….….. * 87 Gumpert 88 Salkeld 90 Coan 92 W. Jones 94 Vernon 95 Pollett 102 Spence 103 Tipton 104 Stanky 105 B. Kennedy 108 Heintzelman 109 Fitzgerald 110 Wynn....…………... * 113 Lamano 118 Mele 121 Christman 123 Blatnick 124 Murtaugh 127 Majeski 130 Walker 134 Borowy 135 Rojek 139 Arft 140 Scarborough 141 Lupien 143 Dillinger 144 Haefner High #s 145 Donnelly 146 M. McCormick 147 Singleton 150 Clark 152 Maddern 155 Guerra 157 Masterson 159 Moulder 160 Blackburn 161 Thompson 164 Wertz 167 Martin 168 Lade 171 Fowler 172 Pellagrini 177 Lopata 178 T. Brown 181 Niarhos 182 Peck 183 Stringer 187 Marchildon 188 Drews 189 Wooten 190 Hearn 191 Haynes 195 Bockman 200 Dobernic 204 Savage 214 Ashburn….…….….. * 217 Pieretti 218 Kryhoski 222 Kellner 223 Hofman 226 Snider...….…….….. * 228 J. Mayo 237 M. Kennedy 238 Lemon....…………... * 240 Young ** * Note.... HOFer ** Note.... The front of the Norman "Babe" Young card actually depicts Bobby Young. The bio on the back of this cards pertains to Norman Young. http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...949young_1.jpg TED Z T206 Reference . |
Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
My favorite 1949 BOWMAN action pose....Stan (the Man) Musial in his classic batting stance.
How about showing us your favorite action pose in this set ? http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...manmusuial.jpg . TED Z T206 Reference . |
Action shot?
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Ted,
What about the big leg kick of Warren Spahn? |
Action?
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Or the Springfield Rifle with 5 Oclock shadow.
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Action - more candidates
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Doby, Lamanno, Kryhoski
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I never like the Bowmans and they were the last things on my want lists. I have been gaining an appreciation for them recently though. I always hated the 49's. They were the worst in my eyes. I think I own 1.
You made them look great and with the story I am really beginning to like them!! Thanks for sharing and help making me a fan. |
Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
OK guys.... please pardon the lengthy story you are about to read here (if you so choose). A flashback to the 1970's begins this story.
I returned to this hobby in 1977. I credit my two Daughters (teenagers), who encouraged me to recover the BB cards from my youth. Debbie and Zoe have always been avid BB fans. In 1977, they began collecting BB cards after seeing Reggie Jackson's amazing 3 HRs in the final game of the 1977 World Series. My large collection of the Sportscards from my youth were stored in the attic of my folks home. This 1949 set was the first one I was interested in completing. In the process of acquiring the 40+ cards I needed, I was mystified by certain variations in it. And, so were the hobby Price Guides of that period. Thru my hobby friend in Florida, John, I met another serious collector of 1949 Bowman cards in North Carolina, Ralph Triplette. Ralph and I compared our theories regarding these variations. We concluded that we should publish them in SCD. When we contacted SCD, Bob Lemke thought our "ground-breaking" story was better suited as an article in their colorful BASEBALL CARDS Magazine. Our article was published in Spring 1983 issue of BASEBALL CARDS Mag. Jim Beckett included our findings in his 1983 Beckett Price Guide. Between Ralph and I, we have (or have seen) 6 of the 7 uncut sheets (36 cards each) which were printed in the production of this set. The elusive 7th sheet has never been seen. On display here is my simulated version of it, which I put together many years ago. Note, the 12 variations in the 1949 BOWMAN set are printed on the lower rows of this last sheet. Ralph and I have evidence (in the form of overprinted backs) of the exact placement of 32 cards on this sheet. When I constructed this simulation, four of the variations on the bottom row were unknown. Recently, additional evidence has surfaced and I have switched the placement of these 4 cards (as noted). http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...ed7thsheet.jpg .... . ^________________________^ . .. ^_____________^ Note....evidence surfaced in recent years which made me switch the positions of Dillinger & Murtaugh, and switch Fitzgerald & Priddy Stay tuned for more information regarding the 12 variations in this set. TED Z T206 Reference . |
Even more elusive 8th sheet...
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Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
Indeed, the toughest series of cards in the 1949 BOWMAN set are in the 5th Series (#145 - 180). My theory is, these were most
likely short-printed. As Bowman was in a hurry for the production of their last 72 cards of this set (the 6th Series). The 6th Series cards (comprising of sheets 6 and 7) are somewhat more available than the 5th series cards. In completing several 1949 Bowman sets throughout the years, my experience is, that these 2 cards are the most difficult to find: Preacher Roe (#162) and George Stirnweiss (#165). I am not sure why the Preacher Roe card is tougher to find than other cards in the 5th Series. But, one thing is for sure, Roe was the Dodgers' southpaw pitching "ace" during 1948 - 1953 with a 93 - 33 Won-Lost record. http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...Stirnweiss.jpg Now, on the other hand, the scarcity of the George Stirnweiss card goes with a story...... Back in the 1980's and 1990's, when I would set up at BB cards Shows in New Jersey, George Stirnweiss' family often attended. His family would buy every Stirnweiss card I had (1947 Tip Top, 1948 - 1951 Bowmans, 1952 Topps, etc.). Therefore, my guess is this is partially the reason for why his 1949 Bowman card is very difficult to find. I'm curious....you collectors of 1949 BOWMAN cards....what card (or cards) in this set have you found difficult to get ? TED Z T206 Reference . |
Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
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Neat "sheet"......but, Porterfield, Shea, and Sanford are missing from your Yankees Pitcher's display ? :) TED Z T206 Reference . |
Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
Zabel Bros. Printers in Philadelphia produced the Bowman Sportscards & Non-Sports cards. The 1948 - 1952 cards were printed using 38-inch (track width) presses.
This press dimension neatly accommodated the printing of two adjacent 36-card sheets on a standard size cardboard sheet. Unlike the first five series (36 subjects each), the 6th Series comprises of 72 subjects. Cards #181 - 216, and cards #217 - 240 (plus the 12 variations). http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...ed7thsheet.jpg The 6th Series cards are Hi #s, and they are pretty tough to find. From my experience, though, the Bob Lemon (#238) card is considerably more difficult to find than the other 71 cards in this series. I don't understand why this is. Anyone on this forum, who collects these cards, having a tough time finding certain cards ? http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...noldsLemon.jpg Here's a list of some of the star players of that era that are in the 6th Series... Richie Ashburn Ralph Branca Larry Doby Joe Gordon Larry Jansen Charlie Keller Bob Lemon Eddie Lopat Johnny Mize Satchell Paige Pete Reiser Phil Rizzuto Schoolboy Rowe Dick Sisler Duke Snider Virgil Trucks TED Z T206 Reference . |
The big 3
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Ive completed a couple of 49 bowman sets and the hardest cards for me have been 162 Roe, 175 Appling, 189 Wooten, 194 Branca, 211 Ferriss, and 238 Lemon HOF RC. I also do find the 145 to 181 relatively scarce as well. Also the PNOB versions of the 12 double prints are also hard to find. With all of the copies of these cards out there, do you really think that the Stirnweiss family collecting of the card could have the impact of making it scarce? There had to be millions of these printed. But how many could be in circulation / existence now? I wonder... Tony |
Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
It's sort of disappointing that this 1949 BOWMAN thread has not received more responses. It's a classic BB card set of 252 cards. The largest color set since the 1933 GOUDEY set.
OH WELL ! Let's see if we can generate some more interest by including the mysterious 1949 BOWMAN Pacific Coast League (PCL) set of 36 cards. Bowman expanded their market to the west coast by introducing the PCL cards. Judging by their design and their colors, my guess is that these 36 cards were printed and issued during the Summer of 1949. In the 1970's and early 1980's, the general consensus in the hobby was that these cards were only issued as sheets, of which the cards were hand-cut. This myth was dismissed in the late 1980's by several finds. Displayed here is the PCL waxpack wrapper. .. ...... extremely rare 1949 PCL wrapper .................................................. ................... regular 5-cent 1949 wrapper . http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...nwrappergb.jpg Since the early 1980's, in the process of acquiring all 36 cards Factory-cut, I have completed 3.4 sets of these PCL cards. Here is page #1 (of 3 pages) in my 1949 BOWMAN album. http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...bowmanpcl1.jpg . ... Factory-cut .. .. .. ... .. Hand-cut http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...LMaltzRaim.jpg http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...altzRaimBk.jpg Stay tuned for more 1949 PCL stuff....which includes my first "big deal" with Alan "Mr Mint" Rosen....and, my PCL find. And, if you have some of these very "rare gems", don't be shy, share them with us. TED Z T206 Reference . |
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1st series back colors
Can you comment on the light and dark backs of the first series (1-73 minus #4)? Are the dark backs rarer? When I put my set together without paying attention to the backs, I ended up with 44 light backs and 28 dark backs so it appears that the dark backs are harder to find. Do you know if that is really true?
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And is there a story to some of the cards having the player name on the front and some not?
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Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
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BOWMAN printed and issued their 1st series (72 cards) with White backs. These cards were very plentiful in the Spring of 1949, especially in the Northeast. The Gray backs followed (circa May-June 1949), and it's my understanding that these cards were distributed in the South. And, the Mid West. Apparently, the Gray backs were printed in lower quantities than the White backs. TED Z T206 Reference . |
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Thanks for the confirmation. I am currently trying to find the backs that I don't have in my set, and so far, the white backs have definitely been easier to get. |
Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
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I have two complete sets (252 cards). The first one with all the 1st series cards with White backs. And, the 2nd set with all Gray backs. Completing the 1st series cards with Gray backs took me a long time. Bobby Doerr (#23) was the last one I needed. Which reminds me....regarding the Gray backs, the first 36 cards [#1 - 3, 73, 5 - 36] were considerably more difficult to find with Gray backs than cards #37 - 72. Was this pattern the same for your ? TED Z T206 Reference . |
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My set is generally VG to VG/EX so that could have something to do with it as well. Would you say the grey backs tend to have a premium since they appear to be more scarce? |
Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
Hi Jay
Back in the 1980's, the Gray backs of the 1st Series (72) cards had a slight premium for them. However, in recent years no one deems them anymore valuable. TED Z T206 Reference . |
Reflections on 1949 BOWMAN's (25 HOFers, many Rookies)...show-N-tell us of your cards
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Hi Jason I guess you are referring to the 12 variations in this set. As you know, the set comprises of 240 subjects. However, each sheet was printed on a 36-card format. This number (240) is not divisible by 36; therefore, BOWMAN had their Printer add 12 cards to fill in the blank spaces on the 7th (last) sheet. Six subjects were derived from the 3rd sheet. Six more from the 4th sheet. You can see these 12 guys here on my simulated 7th sheet. Starting with Scheffing, Evans, Majeski, and continuing the on the bottom row.with Mize, Brazle, Dillinger, Rizzuto, Murtaugh, Fitzgerald, Priddy, Salkeld, Zoldak. Feel free to ask me any more questions regarding this set. http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...ed7thsheet.jpg TED Z T206 Reference . |
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