1948-1955 Bowman - Series by Series breakdown and identification

[G1911]

Originally Posted by samosa4u

This is an excellent thread.

I am currently trying to put together a complete 51' Bowman set. Prior to taking on this task, I laughed at the idea that the high numbers were more challenging to find. I used to think this whole thing was a marketing ploy. However, it has been a few months now since I've been working on this set and I realize that I was dead wrong. High numbers really are tough. Whenever somebody lists a group of these cards for sale online, there probably won't be a single high in there. I also think that the PSA Population Report gives us the wrong idea, because we don't see a big difference between the highs and lows, however, that's only because collectors are more likely to submit a high in for grading.

I did the same thing when I started collecting the 1951's, the high series is much, much more difficult than I had realized. I ended up with 0 highs from buying lots to fill in my low numbers and had to get each individually. I still need Murtaugh (alongside the Mantle and Mays I'm ignoring for $$$$ reasons). 49 and 51 Bowman highs seem to be the toughest Bowman series'. The 50 Lows, 52, 53 and 55 highs are all notably scarcer than the other series I think, but not as tough as the 49's and 51's. The 54's seem to be only a small difference to me. 52 Topps and 51 Bowman highs seem to be about equally available to me, if not as popular.

If you haven't come across it, there is an excellent article breaking down the probably printing date ranges based on the text of all the card backs and the teams players are credited too. I found this wonderfully helpful and interesting myself: https://www.pjdenterprises.com/baseb...man_print.html