49 bowman mystery remains unsolved

[Bram99]

I think this is mostly correct, but I would add that the below number ranges are the sheets, not really the series. Each sheet had 36 cards.

From what I understand, the 1st series is the first two sheets, and second series is the second two sheets and so on.

The reason for the 1-3 then skipping 4 was that #4 Jerry Priddy didn't show up on the first sheet of cards numbered through 36, nor on the second sheet numbered 37-73.

As you will note, 240 is not divisible evenly by 36. In fact, there are 252 cards in the set. 240 different numbers, and 12 variations of the original 240 cards. They needed another 12 cards to put on the last sheet to fill it out to the full 36 cards on the sheet (and 252 for the set). I've never heard how those 12 cards were selected, but they are noted in the set building and grading community as alternatives that have a "Name On Front" (vs. the version that does not) or a "Printed Name on Back" (vs. the script name version). Accordingly since these were printed on the last sheet after #240, they are technically short prints and are similarly scarce to the high numbers 145-240.

All of that said, I know nothing about the wrappers!! (:0)

Originally Posted by G1911

The conventional story is:
1: 1-3, 5-36, 73
2: 37-72
3: 4, 74-108
4: 109-144
5: 145-180
6: 181-216
7: 217-240