1949 Leaf BB cards....show us your Leaf's

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by tedzan

Most set collectors consider this set to be the toughest to complete of all the major post-war issues. I've posted this thread here in the pre-war section since this set
comprises of BB stars that played in every decade from 1897 to 1948.

There are 98 different subjects in this set (20 of them HOFers). These cards were issued in 2 series of 49 cards each. The first series was available very early in the
Spring of 1949. The 2nd (short-printed) series was very limited in its distribution during the Summer of 1949. These 49 cards were available only in four regions of
the country (Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Eastern Massachusetts).

Anyhow, I have quite a sentimental attachment to these cards, since they were my very first colorized BB cards that I collected when I was a 10-year kid.

Originally Posted by spec

Ted,
When did you discover there was a second series of the Leaf baseball set? Also, were all the Bowman 1949 series sold in your NJ hometown?

In 1949 in our neighborhood in New Jersey, the LEAF's were available in March. The BOWMAN's followed in April (or May). I remember this well because Spring training had started
when we were flipping our LEAF cards. Also, we played a game of scaling them against our front porch. Like horseshoes, the closest one to the first step would pick up all the cards.
If one of us got a leaner, the kid that knocked it down by aiming his LEAF card at it picked up all the cards.

Only the 1st series LEAF's were available to us. I had my original 49 cards in this LEAF cards set when I got back in the hobby in 1977. I acquired my first 2nd series LEAF card at
a 1982 card Show in north NJ from a dealer from Ohio. It was this Satchell Paige, and it cost me $200. Eight years later, I completed this set of 98 cards (and, its 3 variations).
I have completed a 521-card T206 set in less time than that !


And, to your 2nd question......all 5 series of the 252 cards in the BOWMAN set were available in our neighborhood during May thru September 1949.





TED Z
.