1950-1959 Baseball Cards

Other decades may have produced more valuable cards, but 1950s baseball cards are arguably the most iconic and sought-after vintage cards in the entire hobby. At times, they seemed more like art than simply sports cards. Vivid colors and beautiful images filled checklists with names that now populate Cooperstown. As the country moved on after World War II, this would become the Renaissance period for baseball cards. A dominant figure throughout much of baseball card history, Topps released their first baseball product in 1951 and would not look back. While the later years of the 1950s and beyond were owned by Topps, they got a serious fight from Bowman in the early 1950s.

Although there are many great options from this decade, 1951 Bowman, 1952 Topps, and 1954 Topps have separated themselves from the pack. Top rookie card offering from this decade include Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Ernie Banks, Sandy Koufax, Roberto Clemente, Eddie Matthews, and Bob Gibson.

1952 Bowman Baseball Cards

It may not carry the popularity of the other 1952 release, but collectors should not sleep on 1952 Bowman Baseball. The colorful set is led by second-year cards for Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays.

Product Details

Somewhat overlooked when compared to the immense popularity of 1952 Topps, 1952 Bowman Baseball remains an appealing vintage option and is a more affordable way to collect the players of the '52 season. Just like the competing brand from Topps, the key Bowman cards include options for Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays.

1952 Bowman Baseball Set Details

Although 1951 Bowman is generally viewed as one of the top sets of the post-war era, 1952 Bowman Baseball does not enjoy the same reputation. However, given that the design was largely carried over, the cards still look great. Again featuring art reproductions of black-and-white photos, the main difference is that the text box has been replaced with a facsimile signature. Card sizing carries over from 1951 at 2-1/16" by-3 1/8".

1952 Bowman Baseball backs are also similar to the 1951 release, but more space is devoted to the ad, and there is a premium offer. Basic info and stats are included for each player above the ad that offers  a "baseball cap of your favorite team" in exchange for five wrappers and 50 cents.

It's not that 1952 Bowman Baseball is a poor release. In fact, it is far from that and many of the cards are quite impressive thanks to the vivid colors. Still, several factors contribute to the slightly diminished interest in the set. The most obvious detriment is the powerhouse 1952 Topps product of the same season. On top of the collecting world for a few years, Bowman quickly found themselves chasing Topps and it began in 1952.

Another issue for 1952 Bowman Baseball is the fact that they scaled back the size of the checklist, going from 324 cards in 1951 to 252 cards in 1952. This diminished set size is even more apparent compared to the 407-card set in 1952 Topps. It was not just lesser players that were removed from the checklist. '52 Bowman also left out a few big names, notably Jackie Robinson and Ted Williams. Finally, while it cannot really be blamed on Bowman, the lack of Hall of Fame rookie cards is also an issue.

Still, the 1952 Bowman Baseball checklist packs some power. Featuring 25 Hall of Fame players, the set does offer a few popular names that 1952 Topps missed. This includes Stan Musial, Casey Stengel and Ralph Kiner. Also, while 1952 Topps is filled with errors and variations, that was not really an issue in Bowman. The only known variation is for Bill Werle. The card (#248) can be found with and without the "W" in his signature.

Similar to many other vintage releases, 1952 Bowman Baseball suffers from centering issues and mis-cut cards. Also, because the cards were distributed in six-card and one-card gum packs, staining can be a problem.

How We Grade:

Gem Mint (GMT): (10.0) A flawless card. To be in Gem Mint condition, a card’s borders must have a ratio of 50/50 side to side and top to bottom. 

Mint (MT): (9.0-9.5) A perfect card. Well-centered with parallel borders which appear equal to the naked eye. Four sharp, square corners. No creases, edge dents, surface scratches, paper flaws, loss of luster, yellowing or fading, regardless of age. No imperfectly printed cards – out of register, badly cut or ink flawed – or card stained by contact with gum, wax or other substances can be considered truly Mint, even if new out of the pack. Generally, to be considered in Mint condition, a card’s borders must exist in a ratio of 60/40 side to side and top to bottom. 

Near Mint/Mint (NM/MT): (8.0-8.5) A super high-end card that appears Mint 9 at first glance, but upon closer inspection, may exhibit a very slight wax stain on reverse, slight fraying at one or two corners, or a minor printing imperfection. Centering must be app. 65/35 to 70/30 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse. 

Near Mint (NM): (7.0-7.5) A nearly perfect card at first glance, but upon closer inspection, may have slight surface wear, slight fraying on some corners, slightly out-of-register picture focus, a minor printing blemish or slight wax stain on reverse. Centering must be 70/30 to 75/25 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.

Excellent/Near Mint (EX/NM): (6.0-6.5) Card may have visible surface wear or a printing defect. A very light scratch. Corners may have slightly graduated fraying. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. Card may have minor wax stain on reverse, may have very slight nothing on edges. Centering must be 80/20 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.

Excellent (EX): (5.0-5.5) Corners are still fairly sharp with only moderate wear. Card borders may be off center as much as 85/15. No creases. May have very minor gum, wax or product stains, front or back. Surfaces may show slight loss of luster from rubbing across other cards. Dark bordered cards may have one or two small nicks.

Very Good/Excellent (VG/EX): (4.0-4.5) Shows obvious handling, but still looks nice. Corners may be rounded or have minor creases. No major creases, tape marks or extraneous markings or writing. Surfaces does exhibit loss of luster, but the printing is intact. May have paper wrinkles. May show major gum, wax or other packaging stains. All four borders visible, though the ratio may be as poor as 95/5. Exhibits honest wear. 

Very Good (VG): (3.0-3.5) A well-worn card, but exhibits no intentional damage or abuse. May be “Mis-cut or Off-Center” with no border visible. May have major or multiple creases, however, creases are not so deep as to show the underlying paper. This card is completely readable, has not been written on, and has no tape marks or holes. Corner rounding may extend well beyond the border. 

Good (GD) (2.0-2.5) Shows excessive wear, along with damage or abuse. Will show all the wear characteristics of a Very Good card, along with such damage as thumb tack holes in or near margins, evidence of having been taped or pasted, perhaps small tears around the edges or creases so heavily as to break the cardboard. Backs may show minor added pen or pencil writing or be missing small bits of paper. Still basically a complete card. 

Poor (P): (1.0-1.5) A card that has been tortured to death. Corners or other areas may be torn off. Card may have been trimmed, show holes from a paper punch or have been used for BB gun practice. Front may have extraneous pen or pencil writing, or other defacement. Major portions of front or back design may be missing. Not a pretty sight.