1948 exhibits gordie howe card
 

Does anyone have any information on the 1948 exhibits gordie howe card? Was it actually printed and released in 1948 and if so, is this his true rookie card?

I believe it was but that said, the hobby views the 1951 Parkhurst as his rookie card. It would be more of a pre rookie. Same with M Richard.

The date traditionally assigned to them is 1948-52. I have no idea why; I do not think it is right. For example, Jean Beliveau, the great Habs player, has two cards in the set. The portrait shows a very Young Beliveau in a Montreal sweater while the second card shows him full length.

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...liveau%202.jpg
https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...liveau%201.jpg

He played two games in 1950 then went back to the juniors until 1952, when he played three games. It wasn’t until 1953 that he stuck with the Habs. I doubt either card predates 1953. The full length image shows him with a captain’s “C” on his sweater. I don’t think he made even temporary captain with basically no experience and so many veteran HOFers on the team. My guess is that the Beliveau cards are mid-1950s and that the Canadian 'Exhibit' cards do not match the dates that early cataloguers assigned to them.

The Gordie Howe card is consistent with two other issues of the rookie era. Here is the 'Exhibit' Howe:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...-52%20Howe.jpg

Here is a McCarthy postcard:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...thy%20Howe.JPG

Looks to me like the same photo session at the least. Now here is the Parkhurst RC:

https://i.psacard.com/cardfacts/1951...-8-5-89578.jpg

Very close even down to the mark on the stick between his hands. My best guess is that the Exhibit, the McCarthy and the Parkie are about the same age.

Same pic as on his Beehive. Just not clear when the photo was actually released but I have heard some argue this one came out first.

article=94https://www.antique67.com/articles.php?article=94

From what I have found online Beliveau wasn't made a captain until 1961, which leaves 3 possibilities:
a) what I'm reading online is incorrect,
b) the photo shows Beliveau wearing a captain's jersey before he was a captain,
c) the photo dates to 1961 or later (despite his youthful appearance and the fact that the card is traditionally labelled as being from 1948-52)