The year 1948 was a pivotal one for baseball cards. Following World War II, the baseball card industry was undergoing major changes that would help define the modern era of the hobby. Several new sets were released that year that captured the post-war excitement around the national pastime and helped spark renewed interest in collecting baseball cards.
Topps released their first post-war set in 1948 after taking over production from Bowman Gum. This set featured players from both the American and National Leagues and is considered one of the most iconic vintage issues. The 1948 Topps set contained a total of 67 cards featuring individual player photos on the front with basic stats and team information on the back. Some of the stars featured included Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Bob Feller, and Phil Rizzuto. The 1948 Topps set marked the company’s first year as the dominant baseball card manufacturer.
Bowman Gum had produced baseball cards continuously since 1933 but suspended production during World War II due to rationing of supplies. When they re-entered the market in 1948, they released their final set which contained 82 cards. This set featured a mix of team photos and individual player portraits. Notable players included in the 1948 Bowman set were Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson in his second year, and pitcher Warren Spahn. The 1948 Bowman issue would be the company’s last foray into baseball cards before exiting the market permanently.
1948 also saw the release of the first post-war set from Leaf Trading Card Company titled “Leaf 1948-49.” This set contained 72 cards with individual player photos on the front and stats on the back similar to Topps. Notable rookies in this set included future Hall of Famers Roy Campanella and Willie Mays in his first card appearance. The Leaf 1948-49 set helped re-establish the company as an alternative to Topps in the baseball card market.
In addition to standard baseball card issues, 1948 saw the release of some innovative specialty sets. Bell Brand, known for their gum and candy products, released a unique 48 card set titled “Bell Brand 1948 All American Baseball.” Unlike typical player cards, each card in this set featured an action photo of a baseball scene or play on the front along with player names and stats on the back. This set helped popularize the use of action shots and team themes on cards rather than just individual player portraits.
1948 also saw the release of the first major league team-specific sets. Both the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants issued their own 24 card team sets that season through the Leaf Candy Company. These sets featured individual photos of players from each respective team. They helped popularize the concept of dedicated team sets among collectors that remains popular today.
In terms of the baseball season itself, 1948 saw the continued integration of African American players in the major leagues. Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers had a breakout season, batting .296 with 12 home runs and 124 RBIs while also stealing home plate 12 times. The Cleveland Indians won the World Series, led by pitcher Bob Feller and second baseman Lou Boudreau.
The 1948 baseball card releases helped reinvigorate the hobby following World War II. Topps, Bowman, and Leaf all issued innovative new sets featuring the sport’s biggest stars. Specialty sets like those from Bell Brand also expanded the potential for creative card designs. Increased focus on specific teams through sets like those from Brooklyn and New York also helped evolve the collector experience. The 1948 season was a landmark year that helped define many modern aspects of the baseball card industry.
