One of the most coveted types of baseball cards for collectors is 1st bowman cards, which are the first issued baseball cards featuring prospects in the minor league system of Major League Baseball teams. These cards come out prior to the MLB draft each summer and give a first glimpse at the next wave of future major league stars.

1st bowman cards are issued by Topps each year as part of their Bowman brand, which puts out cards focused on minor league prospects and draft classes. What makes these cards so highly sought after is they represent some of the earliest documentation of professional players before they make their way to the show. Landing a star player’s 1st bowman card back when they were just starting out can turn into an extremely valuable piece of cardboard over time if they have a successful MLB career.

Some key things to know about 1st bowman cards and their history:

The Bowman brand has been issuing minor league and prospect cards since 1952, making them the longest-running and most historic brand focused on this area of the hobby. It wasn’t until 1990 that Topps started regularly releasing 1st bowman cards of drafted players each summer.

The design and style of 1st bowman cards has evolved over the decades but usually features prospects in their uniforms from rookie league or short season A-ball. Many of the early designs in the 90s-2000s had more of a cartoonish flair compared to the clean cut photography of today’s issues.

Rosters in 1st bowman sets are mostly composed of players selected in the MLB June amateur draft from the previous year. Later rounds may include 18-19 year old international signees getting their cardboard debuts as well.

The scarcity and unpredictable nature of stardom makes 1st bowman cards of future Hall of Famers extremely valuable. Examples being a 1991 Ken Griffey Jr. or 1992 Derek Jeter selling for well over $10,000 in mint condition today.

While most focus on the flagship Topps 1st bowman issues, variations also pop up over the years from brands like Bowman Sterling, Bowman Chrome, and Bowman Draft. International prospects may get their starts in brands like Bowman Platinum as well.

In addition to their value as investments, 1st bowman cards also provide a fun way for collectors to discover prospects and follow their development journeys from the low minors all the way to Cooperstown. Seeing the progression from an unknown draft pick to a big league all-star is part of their enduring appeal.

Condition is absolutely critical when evaluating 1st bowman cards due to the risks of damage from early handling as a rookie. Mint specimens in pristine sleeves are worth exponentially more than ones showing even minor flaws or issues. Proper storage is a must for long-term collectors.

Some examples of iconic 1st bowman cards through the years that show the huge potential returns:

1990 Barry Bonds – Can sell for $500-1000 in top condition today despite Bonds being a later 1st round pick at the time.

1991 Ken Griffey Jr. – One of the most famous and valuable 1st bowman cards ever. An ungraded mint copy could pull $10,000+.

1992 Derek Jeter – Like Griffey, an all-time great that maintains a iconic status. Near mint examples around $5,000-7,000.

1996 Nomar Garciaparra – As a 5th round prep draftee, nobody predicted his stardom. $300-500 raw.

1998 Chase Utley – A late 2nd rounder out of high school who became a star 2B. $100-250 range.

2004 Dustin Pedroia – Like Utley, overlooked in the draft but became an MVP. $50-150 depending on condition.

2009 Mike Trout – His 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks card auto fetched over $400,000 back in 2017 before he cemented GOAT status.

2015 Byron Buxton – Selected #2 overall, injury struggles lowered value but $50-100 raw for potential.

While there’s no guaranteed returns, 1st bowman cards offer a fun speculative element for collectors. Finding that hidden star prospect before anyone realizes their potential creates a thrill unlike any other in the hobby. They represent the origins of great careers and a bridge between amateur dreams and major league immortalization.