Vote: Favorite Bowman set 1948-1955

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I would like it better if it did not have 5000 umpire cards

Bowman was on the ropes after 52, 53 and 54. I think they made an interesting gamble in 55 with the "color TV" concept, hoping the recent introduction of color TVs into American households would cause the cards to be the ones to have. The fact that the % of householders with color TVs by 1955 was still small may have thwarted the strategy.

Worse yet, the umpire cards are high numbered cards. Paying top dollar for an umpire card just doesn't seem right.

-Z

[Volod]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

Worse yet, the umpire cards are high numbered cards. Paying top dollar for an umpire card just doesn't seem right.

-Z

You have to think that the umpire cards were an unfortunate braincramp late in the press run of Bowman's final year. The high-number series packs cost the same nickel as the low-numbers, but George could not have had any idea that card collectors fifty years on would have to pay a premium for ump cards. Maybe Bowman execs really thought that kids whose parents had splurged on color tv's would be more attracted to Jim Honochick's kisser than Roberto Clemente's rookie card in their competitor's high number series.

[ALR-bishop]

By 55 Bowman, which had the early advantage on player contracts, was losing ground to Topps. Lack of players to fill up sheets caused them to go the umpire route in the last run. Traditionally sales were light for both companies late in the year, and Bowman was in a death spiral by then. Fortunately for the Bowman family itself, they cashed out in 51 before Berger began the Topps onslaught in 52