Bowman Baseball Cards: A Brief History
Bowman Gum Company is best known as the original issuer of modern baseball cards beginning in 1948. Prior to Bowman’s entry into the baseball card market, cards were primarily included in packs of cigarettes as promotional items. Bowman saw an opportunity to capitalize on the growing popularity of baseball by including cards in their chewing gum packs, thus creating the first baseball cards specifically designed for collection. The 1948 Bowman set was a pioneer that helped launch the baseball card collecting hobby into the mainstream.
Bowman issued annual baseball card sets continuously from 1948 through 1961, when Topps gained exclusive rights to produce baseball cards and Bowman was forced to exit the market. During these early formative years, Bowman cards helped shape the baseball card collecting landscape and are highly coveted by vintage collectors today. Some key highlights and notable Bowman issues from this early period include:
1948 Bowman: Generally considered the most important set in baseball card history as the first modern issue. Stars of that era like Jackie Robinson, Stan Musial, and Ted Williams are key chase cards.
1949 Bowman: Introduced the concept of photo variations, with some cards having different posed photos from the main set. Highly advanced design and production quality for the time.
1952 Bowman: Last year of the “red back” design before switching to blue in 1953. Features the debut cards of future Hall of Famers like Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle.
1956 Bowman: Last true “vintage” set before the design transitioned to a more cartoonish look in 1957. Contains the rookie cards of future stars like Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson.
1960 Bowman: Last original Bowman set before Topps gained exclusivity. Highly coveted by collectors looking for the final vintage Bowman issue.
After being forced out of the baseball card market in 1961, Bowman shifted focus to other sports like football, basketball, and hockey. They continued producing high-quality sets for these other sports through the 1960s, but were never able to regain their previous dominance in the baseball card industry.
In 1989, Bowman made a comeback by signing a licensing deal with Major League Baseball to produce a new set of baseball cards, thus returning the brand to its roots. The 1989 Bowman baseball card set was a huge success that re-established the company as a force in the baseball card world once again. Some key Bowman issues and milestones since the company’s return in 1989 include:
1989 Bowman: Heralded comeback set that reintroduced the brand to a new generation of collectors. Rookies included Ken Griffey Jr. and Gregg Jefferies.
1992 Bowman: Considered one of the greatest modern sets ever produced, featuring the likes of Frank Thomas, Moises Alou, and Derek Jeter.
1993 Bowman: Contained rookie cards of future stars like Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, and Roy Halladay.
1998 Bowman: First ever cards of Chipper Jones, Nomar Garciaparra, and Brian Giles in their MLB uniforms.
2001 Bowman: Last year of production before Topps regained exclusive rights in 2005. Highly sought after rookie cards of Albert Pujols and Ichiro Suzuki.
2020 Bowman: After a 15-year hiatus, Bowman returned with an emphasis on prospects. Featured cards of future stars like Gleyber Torres, Juan Soto, and Fernando Tatis Jr. prior to their MLB debuts.
In summary, Bowman has played an integral role in the history of baseball cards since 1948. As the original pioneers of the modern baseball card era and frequent producers of some of the most iconic rookie cards, Bowman remains a revered brand among collectors both vintage and modern. Their cards from the 1950s golden age through modern prospect issues continue captivating card collectors with their quality, design innovations, and capturing of baseball’s brightest young stars.
