1948 Bowman Gum Baseball Card Price Guide – R406-2

The 1948 Bowman Gum baseball card set, known by the catalog number R406-2, was issued during the 1948 season as part of Bowman Gum baseball card packs. The set featured 162 total cards highlighting players from both the American and National Leagues. While not as iconic or valuable as some of the more famous vintage sets like the T206 and 1933 Goudey cards, the 1948 Bowman set remains highly collectible among vintage baseball card enthusiasts. This comprehensive price guide will explore the history of the 1948 R406-2 set and provide estimated values for each card in various grades of condition.

Background and History

Issued by the Bowman Gum Company, the 1948 R406-2 baseball card set marked the first time that cards were produced featuring every player on every major league roster. Prior Bowman sets had focused on star players and fan favorites but this was the initial “complete” set highlighting every player. The cards featured black and white player photos on the front with no writing or statistics on the front. On the reverse, each card listed the player’s position, batting average, home runs and runs batted in from the previous season.

The cards measured approximately 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches and were issued as part of wax paper wrapped gum packs containing around 15 cards each. Production numbers were high for the time with millions of packs produced. High production also meant many of the cards ended up in poor condition over the decades as they were heavily used, abused and stored improperly. Finding high grade examples of most 1948 Bowman cards remains challenging.

The 1948 Bowman set is considered the first “modern” design for a complete baseball card set as it featured a card for every player rather than just stars. It helped pave the way for the expansive complete sets that have been the standard since the 1950s. While not as iconic as some earlier vintage issues, the 1948 R406-2 cards remain an important part of the early post-war baseball card era and hold significance as the first true “complete” set.

1948 Bowman Card Values by Player and Condition

To give collectors an idea of estimated current values, below is a sampling of prices that some key 1948 Bowman cards in different condition grades may command on the current vintage baseball card market:

Ted Williams (BOS)

PSA NM-MT 8: $800-1000
PSA EX 5: $400-600
PSA VG-EX 3-4: $150-250

Stan Musial (STL)

PSA NM-MT 8: $500-700
PSA EX 5: $250-350
PSA VG-EX 3-4: $100-150

Bob Feller (CLE)

PSA NM-MT 8: $450-600
PSA EX 5: $200-300
PSA VG-EX 3-4: $75-125

Jackie Robinson (BRO)

PSA NM-MT 8: $350-450
PSA EX 5: $150-250
PSA VG-EX 3-4: $50-100

Joe DiMaggio (NYY)

PSA NM-MT 8: $300-400
PSA EX 5: $150-250
PSA VG-EX 3-4: $50-100

Warren Spahn (BRA)

PSA NM-MT 8: $200-300
PSA EX 5: $100-150
PSA VG-EX 3-4: $30-50

Roy Campanella (BRO)

PSA NM-MT 8: $150-250
PSA EX 5: $75-125
PSA VG-EX 3-4: $25-50

Hank Aaron (BRA)

PSA NM-MT 8: $100-150
PSA EX 5: $50-75
PSA VG-EX 3-4: $20-30

Bob Lemon (CLE)

PSA NM-MT 8: $75-100
PSA EX 5: $30-50
PSA VG-EX 3-4: $15-25

Duke Snider (BRO)

PSA NM-MT 8: $75-100
PSA EX 5: $30-50
PSA VG-EX 3-4: $15-25

As you can see from the sample above, star players like Ted Williams, Stan Musial and Bob Feller command the highest prices for 1948 Bowman cards, even in lower grades. There is value to be found across the board for Hall of Famers and key players from this era. Condition is critical, with high grade PSA NM-MT 8 or BVG 9 examples bringing substantial premiums. But overall the 1948 Bowman set remains affordable for most collectors compared to earlier vintage issues.

Summary

The 1948 Bowman Gum R406-2 baseball card set was truly groundbreaking as the first complete set highlighting every major leaguer. While production numbers were high, finding high grade examples remains difficult. Condition is extremely important for value with this set. Top stars like Williams, Musial and Feller lead the way price-wise but there are collecting and investing opportunities across the entire 162 card checklist. The 1948 Bowman set paved the way for the expansive rosters we see in modern issues and remains a significant part of early post-war baseball card history.