Building 1953 Bowman Color Full Set

[Tere1071]

It is possible to find cards that are "higher quality" but it will require patience and money. I am focused on having cards that have clear images, no creases or wrinkles with reasonable corners. I have decided to live with non-perfect centering and wax stains on the reverse. I find myself continually upgrading, spending additional money. I know I have to move on soon as I want to begin a 59 set and my 53 set is nice as it stands. Decide early the direction you was to take your set and enjoy.

[jingram058]

Casey and Tere, thanks for offering up your extras. I may very well be interested. I just got quite a few, and I am putting in a pool heater, so it might be a few weeks before I can wheel and deal, if that's okay.

[Tere1071]

I hate when real life interferes with my collecting!

[IndyDave]

This post had me go back and look at my #44

Not the greatest of photos and not sure how it compares to others you’ve seen

This was part of my first submission to PSA in 2014. I bought this card from one my dad’s friends in the early 80’s. Jake had collected the cards as a kid. I always thought the Mantle was the best conditioned card in the group I bought. It came back a 5 (my introduction to what diamond cuts do to a grade / value. Was surprised when this came back a 8. Had a few other cards grade 8 as well

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by jingram058

Casey and Tere, thanks for offering up your extras. I may very well be interested. I just got quite a few, and I am putting in a pool heater, so it might be a few weeks before I can wheel and deal, if that's okay.

No problem, shoot me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll send you some scans when you are ready.
Thank you,
Phil

[jayshum]

In case you haven't seen it, the current Clean Sweep Auction has a large number of 1953 Color Bowmans listed individually so you may want to take a look at it to help with your set.

[kailes2872]

I am going to say something controversial and I hope it doesn't get me banned from the board.

I don't love the 53 Bowman Color set. (ducks)

I have it. I have a 5.5 Mantle, and most of the other stars including Feller, Reese, Yogi, etc. are between PSA 4 and PSA 6.

I liked this set early on and enjoyed piecing it together. However, after I got it all in the binder, I have realized just how many pictures looked exactly alike. I feel like the set is a combination of the Davey Williams Card and Joe G. card and everything (except Pee Wee) seems to be derivative of that.

Even with the terrible lighting, I prefer 57 Topps to 53 Bowman Color and will always consider 54-56 topps to be my all time favorites (especially '56).

You will enjoy building it and at 160 cards, it is a reasonable quest, but while I will always look forward to pulling the binder and checking it out on occasion, I had to sit on the psychiatrist couch and confess that it isn't my favorite...

[Tere1071]

Originally Posted by kailes2872

I am going to say something controversial and I hope it doesn't get me banned from the board.

I don't love the 53 Bowman Color set. (ducks)

I have it. I have a 5.5 Mantle, and most of the other stars including Feller, Reese, Yogi, etc. are between PSA 4 and PSA 6.

I liked this set early on and enjoyed piecing it together. However, after I got it all in the binder, I have realized just how many pictures looked exactly alike. I feel like the set is a combination of the Davey Williams Card and Joe G. card and everything (except Pee Wee) seems to be derivative of that.

Even with the terrible lighting, I prefer 57 Topps to 53 Bowman Color and will always consider 54-56 topps to be my all time favorites (especially '56).

You will enjoy building it and at 160 cards, it is a reasonable quest, but while I will always look forward to pulling the binder and checking it out on occasion, I had to sit on the psychiatrist couch and confess that it isn't my favorite...

See my comment below yours. I am a fan of the set, but there are certain cards that didn't work due to either photography or the printing. I also enjoy some of the muddied 57s as the photos are softer in focus, which I like, in comparison to the 55s and 56s. I think the 56 is a great set and wished I owned one, but I would still enjoy the 53 Bowman and 57 Topps sets even more.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by kailes2872

I am going to say something controversial and I hope it doesn't get me banned from the board.

I don't love the 53 Bowman Color set. (ducks)

I have it. I have a 5.5 Mantle, and most of the other stars including Feller, Reese, Yogi, etc. are between PSA 4 and PSA 6.

I liked this set early on and enjoyed piecing it together. However, after I got it all in the binder, I have realized just how many pictures looked exactly alike. I feel like the set is a combination of the Davey Williams Card and Joe G. card and everything (except Pee Wee) seems to be derivative of that.

Even with the terrible lighting, I prefer 57 Topps to 53 Bowman Color and will always consider 54-56 topps to be my all time favorites (especially '56).

You will enjoy building it and at 160 cards, it is a reasonable quest, but while I will always look forward to pulling the binder and checking it out on occasion, I had to sit on the psychiatrist couch and confess that it isn't my favorite...

I have the Mantle and the Musial. At one time, I set out to build it. I didn't get that far in (20 or so) when I came to similar conclusions. I like it but don't love it as I once did. Perhaps I will come back around someday. When it comes to Bowman, 1950-1952 are my favorites.

[jingram058]

I am now up to 55 cards out of 160. Just got Davey Williams, Vic Wertz, Sam Jethroe, Art Houtteman, and Sid Gordon, #s 1 thru 5. Also got Whitey Lockman and Robin Roberts. Going faster than I envisioned, so far. Yes, I too am noticing a lot of commonality to the photo shots, and afore-mentioned flaws...this set comes from a simpler time, I get that, but jeez louise, so many focus issues, printer lines, off centering, miscuts, etc., etc. Still, it's like a who's who of all the ballplayers my dad talked about. And God help me, I do love the simple color photo fronts, and all the bio info on the backs.