1948 Bowman Project

[Cubswin82]

Started this after I picked up a '48 Yogi RC...and just finished the set after getting the Buddy Kerr card. Took about 9 years to finish.

[Cubswin82]

reserved

[Lordstan]

Very nice, James.
Good luck with the rest.

[Cubswin82]

Thanks Mark...know of anyone that has a Sid Gordon for sale?

[39special]

Your off to a good start.Good luck!

[Lordstan]

Originally Posted by Cubswin82

Thanks Mark...know of anyone that has a Sid Gordon for sale?

Not anymore!

[Runscott]

Love of the Game has this one, which is close:

http://loveofthegameauctions.com/194...g-LOT3969.aspx

[Cubswin82]

Just picked up Enos

[sycks22]

Great set James, best of luck

[Cubswin82]

Been able to add quite a few lately..also just picked up Joe Page...so now I'm sitting at 31/48! Updated photos above.

[Cubswin82]

Added Marshall, Wyrostek and McCahan...now 34/48!

[Cubswin82]

Got several more back from PSA. Sitting on 35/48...if anyone has one of the needed cards for sale, let me know!

[Cubswin82]

Was able to pick up 3 more this week:



Down to final 10!

[egri]

Very impressive! I've always liked the look of the 1948-49 Bowman sets.

[Cubswin82]

Just picked up the rarest card in the set...



Also waiting on a Rizzutto so I'm 8 away from completing!

[Cubswin82]

Just added Bevens and Shea

[Republicaninmass]

WOW down to just a handful!

Great progress, and great pickup on the Stirnweiss, he is really tough

[Cubswin82]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

WOW down to just a handful!

Great progress, and great pickup on the Stirnweiss, he is really tough

Thanks Ted. I have a Rizzutto on the way so will be within 6.

[Cubswin82]

42/48

[jerseygary]

This is really an impressive achievement so far! Are you still missing a Spahn? There's gotta be a few out there, he was generous with his signature.

Good luck!

[Cubswin82]

Originally Posted by jerseygary

This is really an impressive achievement so far! Are you still missing a Spahn? There's gotta be a few out there, he was generous with his signature.

Good luck!

Thank you! Yep, still needing Spahn....here are the 6 I still need:

#7 Pete Reiser
#18 Warren Spahn
#20 Buddy Kerr
#36 Stan Musial
#43 Bruce Edwards
#46 Herman Wehmeier

I've seen a few Spahn's pop up in the year or so I've been working on the set. Musial's are pretty common so I've just been putting that one off til last. Herman Wehmeier and Bruce Edwards are a little more rare since both passed in the 1970's. I've actually seen more Stirnweiss 48B cards than Wehmeier. Buddy Kerr shouldn't be too difficult as he passed away in 2006. Reiser passed in 1981...a little rare, but shouldn't be impossible to find...most of the guys had 25-30 years to sign these cards. My guess, people are sitting on them.

[Cubswin82]

Was able to pick up Wehmeier and upgrade my Koslo.

[almostdone]

Originally Posted by Cubswin82

Was able to pick up Wehmeier and upgrade my Koslo.

Congrats. That's so exciting for you. Out of the ones you have left which do you think will be the hardest to locate and will that one be the most expensive in your opinion?
Drew

[Cubswin82]

Originally Posted by almostdone

Congrats. That's so exciting for you. Out of the ones you have left which do you think will be the hardest to locate and will that one be the most expensive in your opinion?
Drew

Thank you! Musial and Spahn shouldn't be difficult. Bruce Edwards is probably the most difficult of the 5, but forunately I know someone thats trying to sell one if we can meet on price. Kerr Passed away in 2006, should be plenty of those out there but I haven't seen one since working on the set. Reiser passed away in 1981...so he might be slightly more difficult...haven't seen that card signed since working the set.

[Cubswin82]

Picked up Edwards!

[Enfuego]

Beautiful set, congrats!

[bbcard1]

Originally Posted by Cubswin82

Thank you! Musial and Spahn shouldn't be difficult. Bruce Edwards is probably the most difficult of the 5, but forunately I know someone thats trying to sell one if we can meet on price. Kerr Passed away in 2006, should be plenty of those out there but I haven't seen one since working on the set. Reiser passed away in 1981...so he might be slightly more difficult...haven't seen that card signed since working the set.

For what it was worth, Reiser was a gracious signer both in person and TTM. I like your chances on that one.

[Cubswin82]

Picked up Musial:

[almostdone]

Awesome! Congratulation James! Great card.
Drew

[Cubswin82]

Picked up Spahn! Now down to final 2!

[Republicaninmass]

Nice job James, I've had my eyes out for the Kerr and Reiser as well.

[Cubswin82]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

Nice job James, I've had my eyes out for the Kerr and Reiser as well.

Thanks! Yea, for some reason those 2 have eluded me since I've been working the set...and neither should be incredibly difficult to find.

[pow323]

Very Nice Set James! Good luck with the last two! Marc

[egri]

Originally Posted by Cubswin82

Thanks! Yea, for some reason those 2 have eluded me since I've been working the set...and neither should be incredibly difficult to find.

I can relate; I'm starting to think Clyde Vollmer and Eddie Pellagrini either really didn't like their portraits in the 53T set, or they had a feud with Gerry Dvorak. There are plenty of Topps and Bowman cards from other years signed by the two, as well as an abundance of 53T archives, but the originals never come to market. But I'll keep an eye out for Kerr and Reiser for you.

[Cubswin82]

Originally Posted by egri

I can relate; I'm starting to think Clyde Vollmer and Eddie Pellagrini either really didn't like their portraits in the 53T set, or they had a feud with Gerry Dvorak. There are plenty of Topps and Bowman cards from other years signed by the two, as well as an abundance of 53T archives, but the originals never come to market. But I'll keep an eye out for Kerr and Reiser for you.

Thank you, appreciate any help I can get! Good luck on that set...it's a classic!

[dwinters]

Would love to see pic of whole set when you finish.

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by egri

I can relate; I'm starting to think Clyde Vollmer and Eddie Pellagrini either really didn't like their portraits in the 53T set, or they had a feud with Gerry Dvorak. There are plenty of Topps and Bowman cards from other years signed by the two, as well as an abundance of 53T archives, but the originals never come to market. But I'll keep an eye out for Kerr and Reiser for you.

Reiser was wildly popular, and I am sure he will turn up. Touted as one of the top prospects ever in the major leagues, his career was plagued with injuries from going %150. That being said, I'm sure fans lined up to get his autograph. Is it a short print or high number in the set? He did pass in '81 so the TTM craze was still in it's embryonic stage.




Certain cards of players of tough players like Sherm Lollar show up on 52 and 53 topps, but try to find a 53 Bowman! Gil Hodges can be a bear to find on any card, but I have seen just 3 1952 topps and only one 55 topps!

Funny that although Pelligrini lived for a while his 52 high number is very scare. He passed in 2006 and collectors are setting the benchmark for ttm "crazse" at about 2002. You'd think even being a high number one example would come to market! I also had a bit of a time finding Vollmer, but I have now seen 3-4 examples.


Not only did it take me forever to find this one, I had to trade a signed 62 Mantle All Star for it! This was the "authentic" in the pop reports making it just 1/3. In the short span his signed cards were tracking on SCN, only ONE 52 and ONE 53 topps was recorded as signed, along with many reprints, etc.

[Cubswin82]

Got my Spahn back from PSA...still looking for the last 2

[DeafSports]

Now I'm tempting to do this set too! Beautiful!

48 cards is perfect to chase for. What are the other ideal autograph set that I should consider?

[egri]

Originally Posted by SirGabel

Now I'm tempting to do this set too! Beautiful!

48 cards is perfect to chase for. What are the other ideal autograph set that I should consider?

The 1954 Red Heart dog food set is 33 cards, and of course there's always player runs and team sets.

[Cubswin82]

Picked up Pete Reiser...down to 1!

[Cubswin82]

Finally Completed the set! Picked up the Buddy Kerr today.

[GoCubsGo32]

Congrats!!

[Cubswin82]

Originally Posted by GoCubsGo32

Congrats!!

Thank you...was a fun ride...and expensive haha

[mr2686]

Congrats and finishing this awesome project. Are you working on any of the other Bowmans?

[Cubswin82]

No, this was the only active set that I'm working on. I'd kind of gotten away from set collecting but starting to get the itch again.

[bleeckerstreetcards]

Congrats James! Amazing accomplishment. I’m going for signed 48 leaf set and I know just how tough even locating some of these non-star names can be.