1953 Bowman B&W
In his book The Bubble Gum War: The Great Bowman and Topps Sets 1948 to 1955, Dean Hanley indicates that in response to the success of the Topps 1952 set Bowman counter attacked with color photography and bigger cards in 1953. The process was much more expensive than colorized B&W photos used by Bowman and Topps previously.
The Bowman 1953 set although critically acclaimed today did not undermine the Topps momentum and their 1953 set was well received in the market. Disappointing sales and cost considerations caused Bowan to go to B&W later in the year. Fleer would run into the similar issues in 1963 scuttling plans for a second series.
Happily for the Bowman family they had sold the business at it's height after the 51 season and it was the new owners that ran into the creativity of Sy Berger. The 55 set with the color TVs (which were at that time virtually unknown in most households) was their Battle of The Bulge
Last edited by ALR-bishop; 01-21-2016 at 02:13 PM.
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