1948 R346 Baseball Card Price Guide: Values for Mickey Mantle Rookie and Other Cards From the Set
The 1948 R346 Bowman baseball card set is one of the most iconic issues in the hobby, headlined by Mickey Mantle’s rookie card. This 86-card set from 1948 contained some of the biggest stars in baseball at the time, and many consider it to be the most historically significant cardboard release of all-time due to Mantle’s star power. Over 70 years later, high-grade examples of cards from this set continue to sell for impressive sums. Let’s take a deeper look at the 1948 R346 release and breakdown price guide values for some of its key cards.
What Made the 1948 R346 Set Special?
Released in 1948 by the Bowman Gum Company, the R346 set was notable for being the last full baseball card set issued before Topps gained exclusive rights to baseball cards in 1953. While many of the biggest players from the late 1940s are featured, the main attraction is Mantle’s rookie card, which ranks as one of the true Holy Grails in the collecting world.
Mantle went on to have a Hall of Fame career as a legendary slugger for the New York Yankees. His uncanny athletic ability and natural power at the plate made him an instant star in pro ball. Having such an iconic figure’s first card is a major reason why the 1948 R346 set holds so much significance. Beyond Mantle, stars like Ted Williams, Phil Rizzuto, Early Wynn, and Roy Campanella are prominent in the checklist as well.
1948 R346 Mickey Mantle Rookie Card Values
Without question, the centerpiece of any 1948 R346 collection is the Mickey Mantle rookie card. Even in low grades, it maintains a tremendous premium over other cards from the set due to the player’s significance in baseball history. Here’s a breakdown of Mantle rookie card values across different condition grades:
PSA 1 – Around $20,000
PSA 3 – $30,000-$40,000
PSA 5 – $75,000-$100,000
PSA 7 – $150,000-$200,000
PSA 8 – $250,000-$350,000
PSA 9 – $500,000+
PSA 10 – $2 million to over $5 million
As you can see, the scale tips dramatically with each incremental grade increase. A Gem Mint PSA 10 Mantle rookie is one of the most prized possessions in the hobby and has shattered auction records, with certain specimens selling for well over $5 million. Even low-grade examples still carry a premium in the five-figure range due to their incredible rarity and significance.
Other Key Cards from the 1948 R346 Set
While no other card comes close to matching Mantle’s allure, here are some notable players and their typical price ranges across different grades:
Ted Williams: $3,000-$8,000 in PSA 5; $15,000-$25,000 in PSA 7
Stan Musial: $1,000-$2,500 in PSA 5; $5,000-$10,000 in PSA 7
Bob Feller: $500-$1,000 in PSA 5; $2,000-$4,000 in PSA 7
Phil Rizzuto: $400-$800 in PSA 5; $1,500-$3,000 in PSA 7
Early Wynn: $300-$600 in PSA 5; $1,000-$2,000 in PSA 7
Whitey Lockman: $200-$400 in PSA 5; $600-$1,200 in PSA 7
Lower-tier stars and common players are still coveted by set builders due to the appeal and scarcity of 1948 cardboard. Even rank-and-file cards are valuable in top grades, routinely selling for hundreds of dollars each. Condition is paramount, as the fragile, 70+ year old material shows wear easily. Beyond PSA 7, values spike dramatically across the board.
In Closing: Iconic Status and Future Potential
The 1948 R346 set endures as arguably the most iconic release in baseball card history. Mantle’s inclusion as a rookie elevated the set to an entirely new level of significance. While mint examples fetch millions, there is something appealing about collecting any piece of this special set. Values are driven by scarcity as high-quality specimens from 1948 are few and far between after seven decades of surviving the tests of time.
Given Mantle’s legendary status and the set’s importance as the last true pre-Topps issue, the 1948 R346 cards are sure to retain their iconic status for decades to come. As time goes by, what is already a truly rare set will only gain further appreciation historically. For collectors of virtually any budget, owning a piece of this release is an exciting prospect. The 1948 R346 Bowman set defined the modern baseball card collecting phenomenon and will undoubtedly maintain its place as one of the true crown jewels in the hobby for generations to come.
