The 1990 Bowman baseball card set was the first major issue of cards produced by the Bowman Gum Company since 1956. After a 34 year hiatus, Bowman re-entered the baseball card market in 1990 and released a 660 card base set along with various insert sets. The 1990 Bowman cards featured rookie cards and first Bowman cards of many future Hall of Famers and all-time great players. Due to the high-profile rookie cards and Bowman’s return to the hobby after many decades, the 1990 Bowman set became very popular and desirable upon release. Let’s take an in-depth look at 1990 Bowman baseball card prices for some of the top rookie and star player cards from the set.
One of the most valuable and sought after 1990 Bowman rookie cards is that of Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin. Larkin went on to have a Hall of Fame career and was a 12-time All-Star and 3-time Gold Glove winner during his 19 year tenure in the majors. His 1990 Bowman rookie card in near mint to mint condition has sold for over $1,000 in recent years. Other top condition Larkin rookies have exceeded $2,000. Another hugely valuable 1990 Bowman rookie is that of Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones. Like Larkin, Jones also had a Hall of Fame career spending his entire 19 year career with the Braves. Mint condition Chipper Jones rookie cards regularly sell for $1,500 or more.
Two other highly coveted 1990 Bowman rookie cards belong to pitchers Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux. Glavine and Maddux became known as two-thirds of the feared Atlanta Braves rotation of the 1990s, winning a combined 5 Cy Young Awards between them. Near mint to mint Glavine rookie cards now sell for $800-$1,000 while a Maddux rookie in similar condition can fetch $600-$800. The 1990 Bowman set also featured the rookie card of catcher Mike Piazza, who went on to hit 427 home runs in his career primarily as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets. Piazza’s impressive power numbers have made his rookie one of the most in-demand catchers ever. Near mint to mint Piazza rookies sell in the $400-$600 range.
In addition to star rookie cards, 1990 Bowman featured the debut Bowman cards of many established major league players. For example, the card of Toronto Blue Jays all-time home run leader and Hall of Famer Joe Carter in near mint to mint condition has sold for $200-$300 in recent years. Another hot commodity from the 1990 Bowman set is the card of Boston Red Sox star pitcher Roger Clemens. In his prime during the late 1980s and early 1990s, Clemens won a record seven Cy Young Awards and was arguably the best pitcher in baseball during that span. As a result, his 1990 Bowman card still holds value, with near mint to mint examples selling for $150-$250.
Two other 1990 Bowman cards of established superstars that have maintained strong prices are those of Oakland Athletics slugger Jose Canseco and Cincinnati Reds star pitcher Tom Browning. Canseco was a two-time American League MVP in the late 1980s and helped usher in the “Steroid Era” of baseball. His 1990 Bowman card in top condition has sold for $100-$150. Browning, meanwhile, was coming off a World Series MVP and Cy Young winning season for the Reds in 1990. Near mint to mint Browning cards from that year have sold in the $75-$100 range in recent times.
Due to the return of Bowman cards to the market after decades away and the presence of so many future Hall of Fame rookie cards, the 1990 Bowman baseball set created a lot of excitement and remains a highly valuable vintage issue. While prices have settled some from the early 1990s, mint condition examples of star rookies like Larkin, Jones, Glavine and Maddux can still command four-figure sums. Established players cards such as Clemens and Carter also retain strong values relative to other vintage sets. The 1990 Bowman baseball card set was truly a landmark release that shattered records and introduced collectors to some of the game’s all-time greatest players.
