1949 Baseball Cards Price Guide – Values and Key Cards from the Post-War Set
The 1949 baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the post-World War II era. Issued by Bowman Gum Company, the 1949 set featured players from both the American and National Leagues in a total of 242 cards. While not the largest set ever produced at the time, the 1949 Bowman cards hold a special place in the history of the hobby as capturing players and teams during a pivotal period of growth and popularity for Major League Baseball following the end of WWII military service.
In this comprehensive 1949 baseball cards price guide, we will explore some of the key factors that contribute to the value of these vintage cards over 70 years later. We’ll examine several of the most valuable and desirable rookie and star player cards from 1949 and provide estimated grading and pricing information based on the demand and condition of each. By understanding what makes certain ’49 Bowmans more collectible and pricey than others, hobbyists can better appreciate the historic significance and investment potential still found in these early post-war cardboard treasures.
Condition and Grading
As with any collectible, the condition and grading of 1949 Bowman baseball cards is paramount to determining their true value. Like many early 1950s sets, the ’49s had a high print run which has led to plenty of surviving examples over seven decades later. Finding high grade specimens in Near Mint or better condition is still quite challenging. The thinner cardboard stock used at the time also made these cards more susceptible to creases, bends, and edge wear even with light usage.
For ungraded 1949 Bowmans, collectors should expect most common players in roughly Very Good or better condition to sell in the $5-15 range. Ex-Mint and Near Mint commons may command $20-50. But once a card crosses the threshold into professional grading with one of the major third-party companies like PSA or BGS, values can multiply significantly based on the assigned numeric grade. A PSA 7 common 1949 Bowman in most cases would sell for $50-100. A PSA 8 around $100-200. And a pristine PSA 9 Gem Mint could bring $300-500 or more depending on player demand.
Rookie Cards and Debut Years
One of the most coveted aspects of any vintage baseball card set are the debut or rookie cards featuring future Hall of Famers and all-time great players. The 1949 Bowman set included several such cards that are now among the most valuable in the entire vintage collecting universe. At the very top of the list is the rookie of Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio, who is pictured batting left-handed for the first and only time on a baseball card. In PSA 9-10 Gem condition, Joltin’ Joe’s ’49 Bowman rookie routinely sells for $10,000 and up at auction depending on bidding wars.
Other extremely valuable and desirable rookie cards from 1949 Bowman include Jackie Robinson of the Dodgers, Ted Williams of the Red Sox, Phil Rizzuto of the Yankees, Early Wynn of the Indians, and Enos Slaughter of the Browns, just to name a few. All of these players went on to have Hall of Fame careers and their ’49 rookie cards in high grade are worth thousands in today’s market. Even lesser known rookies like Gene Woodling, Ferris Fain, and Harry Dorish can bring $100-300 in PSA 8-9 if their early careers showed promise before fading into obscurity.
Stars of the Era
Naturally, the biggest stars and most prolific players of the late 1940s featured on 1949 Bowman cards also carry premium prices relative to their lesser known teammates and competitors. In addition to the rookies already mentioned, other superstar cards that routinely sell for hundreds or more in top condition include Stan Musial, Bob Elliott, Warren Spahn, Johnny Mize, and Phil Rizzuto. Musial’s ’49 Bowman in particular has become one of the most expensive common cards from the set, with PSA 9s bringing $1,000-2,000 at auction due to his all-time great career stats and iconic status as a St. Louis Cardinals legend.
Team Sets and Variations
Completing a full team set of the 1949 Bowman issue is a major achievement for vintage collectors. With cards divided between AL and NL teams, tracking down all the players depicted across each franchise takes dedication and can cost thousands depending on the team and condition of the high-dollar stars represented. The New York Yankees team set stands out as one of the most in-demand due to legends like DiMaggio, Rizzuto, and Vic Raschi included among their ’49 Bowman cards.
Of note, there are also several known photo and statistical variations that occur within the 1949 issue. These include swapped images, corrected stats, and different uniform numbers that make high grade examples even tougher to find “error free”. Collectors seeking perfection are willing to pay a premium for pristine condition cards that also feature the standard photo and stats based on the Bowman Gum company archives and checklists.
In Conclusion
While the sheer numbers printed make 1949 Bowman baseball cards more accessible to collectors than some earlier T206 and 1909-11 issues, finding premium specimens in top condition is still a challenge. This set captured the early careers of future legends and the post-war resurgence of America’s pastime in vivid cardboard fashion. Over 70 years later, the historic significance and iconic imagery on ’49 Bowmans continues to drive strong demand and prices for high grade examples. With patient searching, astute grading analysis, and a bit of luck, building a complete 1949 set or targeting key stars can prove a very rewarding venture in vintage baseball card collecting.
