Touring (backwards) through the sets of the '50s

[cesarcap]

John,

The 52 set isn't technically complete: Hal Rice is in an envelope somewhere between MD and NY.

Had a very similar experience w/ the 55 set as you.

Happy 2021!

[cardsagain74]

1955 Bowman

Confession: I really like this set.

It's probably the least popular of all the Bowman and '50s Topps sets, and its cards worth the least (relative to the year). But I don't care

The TV design feeds into the nostalgia that I somehow have for '50s culture. And I find the photos underappreciated too. Especially the Mantle.

My Mick is a really strong PSA 3. The set's strength is still slightly in the commons, but the key cards all have good eye appeal. No need to change any channel

Who needs to see the typical Willie, Hank, Ernie, and Yogi though. In the spirit of this enigma of a set, have some of what makes it unique: umpires!

320/320

Avg grade: 3.76

Top 10 cards w/ grade:

202 Mickey Mantle: 3
242 Ernie Banks: 4
179 Hank Aaron: 3
184 Willie Mays: 3
168 Yogi Berra: 3
22 Roy Campanella: 5
59 Whitey Ford: 3
23 Al Kaline: 4
37 Pee Wee Reese: 5
134 Bob Feller: 3

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

1955 Bowman

Confession: I really like this set.

It's probably the least popular of all the Bowman and '50s Topps sets, and its cards worth the least (relative to the year). But I don't care

The TV design feeds into the nostalgia that I somehow have for '50s culture. And I find the photos underappreciated too. Especially the Mantle.

My Mick is a really strong PSA 3. The set's strength is still slightly in the commons, but the key cards all have good eye appeal. No need to change any channel

Who needs to see the typical Willie, Hank, Ernie, and Yogi though. In the spirit of this enigma of a set, have some of what makes it unique: umpires!

320/320

Avg grade: 3.76

Top 10 cards w/ grade:

202 Mickey Mantle: 3
242 Ernie Banks: 4
179 Hank Aaron: 3
184 Willie Mays: 3
168 Yogi Berra: 3
22 Roy Campanella: 5
59 Whitey Ford: 3
23 Al Kaline: 4
37 Pee Wee Reese: 5
134 Bob Feller: 3

People either love this set or hate it for some reason. I love it. The Ernie Banks may be the favorite card of this Cubs fan. His only Bowman card...

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

People either love this set or hate it for some reason. I love it. The Ernie Banks may be the favorite card of this Cubs fan. His only Bowman card...

Plus I love combining it with the '55 T to cover all the HOFers. Except Musial of course. Wonder what the story is behind him ditching all the card companies so much

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

Plus I love combining it with the '55 T to cover all the HOFers. Except Musial of course. Wonder what the story is behind him ditching all the card companies so much

He had an exclusive contract with Rawlings. The "card" with them was the tag hanging off the glove. At least that's the story I've always heard.

[Seven]

The Topps sets from 52-56 Were beauties. I love the art style of each of them. Still Kills me Mantle was under contract with Bowman for 1955, so we were deprived of a beautiful Topps card of his that year. Though I've warmed up to his Bowman issue.

I really wish Topps continued with that style they used in the early 50's. Not that I don't appreciate the Photo's of the 57 issue, but something about the art of the 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56 sets just screams Americana to me.

[ALR-bishop]

In 1955 a color TV like used on the Bowman cards would have been a novelty rather than nostalgic. Relatively few households had a color TV in 1955 ( Bob knows the #) and there were not many color TV shows. Unfortunately for Bowman the set was a bust at the time. I personally like it and kind of enjoy the umpires, but bet they were a bummer at the time with kids

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by Seven

The Topps sets from 52-56 Were beauties. I love the art style of each of them. Still Kills me Mantle was under contract with Bowman for 1955, so we were deprived of a beautiful Topps card of his that year. Though I've warmed up to his Bowman issue.

I really wish Topps continued with that style they used in the early 50's. Not that I don't appreciate the Photo's of the 57 issue, but something about the art of the 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56 sets just screams Americana to me.

Another positive from the new '57 photo era was that Topps couldn't be lazy anymore about the next year's issue. It started to get pretty bad in '56, when kids must have wondered if they'd get the same Hank Aaron photo year after year until he was 40