1953 Bowman Color

[ALR-bishop]

Magnificent set with my favorite Musial. Very well thought of today, it was a market disaster for Bowman in 1953 . First use of color photography versus colored b&w photos, but an expensive set for Bowman to produce, and the 53 Topps set still out sold it. Bowman caved in mid summer and issued it's remaining cards in b&w.

It was the first Bowman set I did. I like it a lot. Good luck with your project, Neal

[GasHouseGang]

They are beautiful cards. You really couldn't go wrong to attempt that set in mid-grade.

[JollyElm]

Each card in that set is a work of art.

[Neal]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

They are beautiful cards. You really couldn't go wrong to attempt that set in mid-grade.

now that is a good looking "collectors grade" card!

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

What a wonderful set! Back in the Fall, I sold a really nice Musial. Why??!!!

[Neal]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Magnificent set with my favorite Musial. Very well thought of today, it was a market disaster for Bowman in 1953 . First use of color photography versus colored b&w photos, but an expensive set for Bowman to produce, and the 53 Topps set still out sold it. Bowman caved in mid summer and issued it's remaining cards in b&w.

It was the first Bowman set I did. I like it a lot. Good luck with your project, Neal

Thanks, Al!

I like the Musial as well.

[Robs70sCards]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Magnificent set with my favorite Musial. Very well thought of today, it was a market disaster for Bowman in 1953 . First use of color photography versus colored b&w photos, but an expensive set for Bowman to produce, and the 53 Topps set still out sold it. Bowman caved in mid summer and issued it's remaining cards in b&w.

It was the first Bowman set I did. I like it a lot. Good luck with your project, Neal

That's an interesting comment. From my perspective, how would you not like a color set with really exciting and interesting poses? What is it about these cards that kids didn't like at the time?

I like Topps and all, but if I won lotto this is the first set I'm buying

EDIT: Thanks for posting that article Ted Z. Sometimes I'm slow to post and didn't see it.

[ashes13]

the 1953 Bowmans are great looking cards. One of my earliest vintage card purchases was this Reese in 1984.
Still raw but may get it graded soon.

[Volod]

Originally Posted by Robs70sCards

That's an interesting comment. From my perspective, how would you not like a color set with really exciting and interesting poses? What is it about these cards that kids didn't like at the time?

I like Topps and all, but if I won lotto this is the first set I'm buying

EDIT: Thanks for posting that article Ted Z. Sometimes I'm slow to post and didn't see it.

Al is certainly correct about the 1953 Topps cards outselling Bowmans' issue that year, but that fact was was not due to kids preferring the Topps cards at all. Rather, the relatively poorer sales figures for Bowman had to do with a smaller distribution and probably lower production numbers overall. Personally, I can recall kids in my schoolyard falling all over each other to get a look at the new Bowmans when they hit the stores that spring. The amazing color photography and innovative design impressed kids far more than the more pedestrian hand-drawn artwork used by Topps. Nonetheless, more kids had stacks of the Topps cards simply because that was what they found on store shelves and countertops. I recall riding a bike all over my small (40K) hometown trying to find the Bowman cards without much success that year. Candy distributors just bought many more cases of Topps product than Bowman regardless of what kids might have preferred.

[ALR-bishop]

The Bowman family had great timing and had sold their interests earlier at the peak of their baseball card success , before Toops began to ascend with the results of the 52 set. The new owners did not have the Bowman family marketing instincts and experience. The increased expense of color photos in their 53 set cut back their marketing budget. After 53 Bowman limped through 1954 and made a last ditch effort with their color TV concept in 1955. It fell flat, maybe because so few families were even familiar with color TVs in 1955.

Also, although the set is admired today for the uncluttered front, kids may have preferred a name and team designation on the front

Whatever you think of Dean's Cards pricing, he does have a good book on the bubble gum wars between Topps and Bowman from 1948 to 1955. Topps first major foray into baseball cards was 1951, but they did have a baseball subset in their 1948 Magic Photo set.

I get a smile out of thinking about Steve pedaling all over town looking for 53 Bowmans

[Volod]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

.......

I get a smile out of thinking about Steve pedaling all over town looking for 53 Bowmans

Beating the game, Al.....

[STL1944]

I absolutely love this set. Some of the best looking cards of all time.

When I started collecting this set (PSA 5-6 range), I thought "piece of cake... only 160 cards (in the color set)." It has taken a lot longer than I anticipated. I am about 85% through the set with most of the HOF's. The tough part has been finding some of the high number cards in good condition... my quest continues!

Good luck with your journey!

[Neal]

Nice cards, and thanks for sharing.

I think "piece of cake" as well! I know that will not be the case. I am prepared to be patient. In my limited searches, there are going to be some very tough cards to find with the appeal within the grade that I am looking for.

I did add about 16 PSA 5-6 players over the past few days, but it appears that the Staley and Hamner types are pretty common. But also very colorful!

Really looking forward to seeing how this pans out.

[campyfan39]

Steve,
Love this set and your firsthand experience but you said 53 topps was "pedestrian hand drawn artwork" ouch I feel like you just slapped my wife hahaha

Originally Posted by Volod

Al is certainly correct about the 1953 Topps cards outselling Bowmans' issue that year, but that fact was was not due to kids preferring the Topps cards at all. Rather, the relatively poorer sales figures for Bowman had to do with a smaller distribution and probably lower production numbers overall. Personally, I can recall kids in my schoolyard falling all over each other to get a look at the new Bowmans when they hit the stores that spring. The amazing color photography and innovative design impressed kids far more than the more pedestrian hand-drawn artwork used by Topps. Nonetheless, more kids had stacks of the Topps cards simply because that was what they found on store shelves and countertops. I recall riding a bike all over my small (40K) hometown trying to find the Bowman cards without much success that year. Candy distributors just bought many more cases of Topps product than Bowman regardless of what kids might have preferred.

[RayBShotz]

Great Ennis!

[Neal]

Just in today

10 Ashburn.jpg46 Campy.jpg
57 Boudreau.jpg61 Kell.jpg

[aconte]

Neal,

These are sweet! You need a 38 Goudey Joe D. to make your collection
complete!

T

[RayBShotz]

Originally Posted by Neal

Just in today

Attachment 245491Attachment 245492
Attachment 245493Attachment 245494

Now these are baseball cards! Wow Neal.
RayB

[spaidly]

I was going after the Dodgers team set for this issue but now they are like Pokeman -- gotta catch 'me all!

When I finished my 1971 set in near mint a couple months ago (what a beast) it was between 1957 Topps in near mint or 1953 Bowman in ex-mt or better as the next to chase. I just realized the answer was not OR but rather BOTH.

Some of those 5s are so nice I'm thinking I need to do EX or higher now. This board has definitely helped me fully understand that I need to buy the card I like rather than the grade/holder.

Scott