I also believe that while Topps cards have a wide-based appeal and are collected by the majority of hobby enthusiasts, Bowmans have a selective appeal. When I worked in a baseball card shop and at shows in the 1970s and 1980s, vintage Topps singles sold quickly as there were a number of collectors building sets. Bowmans, on the other hand, had more of an appeal to those collectors who wanted to go to the "next level." They were also a bit more difficult to find as most dealers back then, sold mostly Topps cards.
From my years working full-time at the store (1979-1987), except for one occasion I can remember anyone bringing us a vintage Bowman set or major star cards for us to purchase. The exception was a 1955 Bowman Baseball set in good to very good condition (Mays and Aaron were in really bad shape) for which I paid $20. This was what the seller wanted and I wasn't about to argue. The store owner was pleased, to say the least. The damaged cards were replaced with others in very good to excellent condition and it sold somewhere between $150-$200.
Finally, I remember at the Strongsville show back in 1986, Al Rosen had a "gem mint" complete 1951 Bowman Baseball set for $2,000, which was a stiff asking price at that time. Imagine that set walking into a shop now, even a ratty one would sell for way more than $2,000.
Phil aka Tere1071
Complete 1953 Bowman Color, 1971, 1972, 1974, and 1975 Topps Baseball sets under revision as the budget and wife allows
Under construction:
1970 Topps Baseball - missing over 100 cards, mostly after #450 and the three insert sets
1971 Topps Coins- 107/153
1973 Topps Baseball 659/660, missing #305 Mays
1974 Topps Baseball Washington variations
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