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BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE 1948 R406 1

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The 1948 R406-1 baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the post-World War 2 era. Issued by Bowman Gum, the 1948 set featured players from both the American and National Leagues in their vivid color portraits. With its vibrant colors and focus on star players of the time, the 1948 Bowman set helped reinvigorate the baseball card market and reestablish the hobby’s popularity after a lull during the war years.

While production numbers for the original 1948 Bowman set are not precisely known, estimates suggest only about 200 complete unopened wax packs may still exist today, making individual cards extremely rare. The set includes a total of 72 cards issued in series ranging from R401 to R406. Within these series, the R406-1 subset featuring the set’s biggest stars in vibrant color portraits have become the most coveted and valuable cards for collectors.

Some key details on the iconic 1948 R406-1 subset that helped drive early post-war baseball card mania include:

The R406-1 subset featured 16 of the game’s biggest stars at the time, including Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Bob Feller, and Jackie Robinson in his rookie card year. Robinson’s appearance in the set was especially significant as one of the first widely distributed black baseball cards.

Cards were printed using a vivid four-color lithograph process that gave the portraits a bright, almost cartoon-like quality. This set the visual standard for many 1950s sets that followed in highlighting players’ facial features.

Production was limited, with experts estimating fewer than 50 examples survive in pristine gem mint condition or better for some of the superstar R406-1 cards. The rarity greatly multiplies their value today.

The cards had no statistics or biographical information on the back, instead featuring a simple “return address” style back with the Bowman Gum company information. This clean design allowed the focus to remain on the large color portraits.

When it comes to pricing some of the key 1948 R406-1 stars, the following details showcase just how significantly condition and grade can impact a card’s potential worth from a few thousand to over $1 million:

A PSA GEM MT-10 graded Jackie Robinson rookie in the R406-1 subset recently sold at auction for over $3.12 million, setting a new record price for a baseball card. Even a lower grade PSA 8 example could still fetch $200,000+.

A Ted Williams or Stan Musial R406-1 in PSA 8 condition would sell for $50,000-$100,000 depending on bidding activity. Still gems but in lower PSA 6-7 grades could go for $15,000-30,000.

Star pitchers Bob Feller and Warren Spahn in PSA 8 would sell in the $15,000-25,000 range, while a PSA 10 Feller could potentially break $100,000.

Lessor stars in the subset like Phil Cavarretta or Eddie Waitkus can still sell for $3,000-8,000 in top PSA 8-9 grades given their rarity. Lower grades would be $1,000-3,000.

When factoring in things like a player’s fame, the importance of their 1948 performance, and overall population statistics, the 1948 R406-1 subset became the true blue chip vintage cards that could sustain or increase in value over time. While condition is critical, simply owning any example from this hallowed 66-year old set is a true highlight for any serious baseball card collector. With its place in memorabilia history secure, the 1948 R406-1 cards will assuredly remain a pinnacle that many aspire to in building their collections.

BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE 1948 R406 3

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1948 Bowman Gum Baseball Card Price Guide – R406-3

The 1948 Bowman Gum baseball card set, identified as R406-3 in price guides and checklists, represented a major shift in the baseball card collecting hobby. It was the first card set released by Bowman Gum after WWII, during which baseball card production had largely halted. With 161 total cards across 16 teams, 1948 Bowman introduced full color photographs on the fronts of cards for the first time. This innovation established the template that would come to define the classic postwar baseball card era of the 1950s.

Given its historical significance and collectability, 1948 Bowman cards remain highly sought after by vintage baseball card collectors. Condition and specific player/card variations have a major impact on estimated values. To research pricing details for individual 1948 Bowman cards, collectors should consult an authoritative price guide such as The Tuff Stuff Standard Catalog of Vintage Baseball Cards or Beckett Baseball Card Price Guide. This article examines key characteristics and value drivers for the complete 1948 Bowman set according to those leading guides.

Set Details:

Produced by Bowman Gum Co. in Philadelphia
16 teams each with 10 player cards (160 total cards)
1 blank back “premium” card
Full color photos on the front, black and white stats on the back
Size: 2 1/8″ x 2 3/4″
Card stock: Thin, soft, grayish paper

Condition is extremely important for 1948 Bowman cards due to the fragile card stock. Even minor edge/corner wear or creasing can significantly reduce a card’s value. Top grades of Near Mint (NM) or Mint (MT) are required to achieve high prices. Some scarcer or star player cards can demand over $1,000 in top condition.

Among the most valuable cards in the 1948 Bowman set:

Hank Aaron RC (Braves) – NM+: $2,500-$3,000
Willie Mays RC (Giants) – NM+: $5,000+
Jackie Robinson RC (Dodgers) – NM: $2,000-$2,500

Other stars that command $500+ in top condition include Stan Musial, Ted Williams, Johnny Mize and Enos Slaughter. The majority of common players fall in the $50-$200 range depending on condition when graded NM.

The 1948 Bowman set also included several variations that increase rarity and value:

Reverse printing error cards (players’ positions are reversed)
Blank back “premium” card instead of stats
Printing flaws such as missing signatures

These scarce variations can often sell for multiples of a standard card’s value. The biggest keys to high prices are superlative condition grades (MT or Gem Mint 10) paired with a desired star player or scarce variation. Even at lower grades, condition remains paramount – a VG-EX card may sell for only $20-50 depending on the player.

While a complete 1948 Bowman set in high grade could demand over $10,000 today given its barrier to entry, most collectors specialize in acquiring individual cards that fit their collection needs and budget. Condition census data shows fewer than 10% of surviving 1948 Bowman cards grade higher than EX. It remains one of the most iconic and important sets from the early modern baseball card era. Over 70 years later, it continues to captivate collectors with its historical firsts and desirable investment-caliber cards.

Condition reigns supreme when pricing individual 1948 Bowman cards or evaluating potential set value. High grade examples of rookie stars like Aaron, Mays and Robinson lead the way in demand and price appreciation. Scarce variations offer enhanced rarity and value potential as well. As the first true “modern” design, the 1948 Bowman set established a template that defined the historic post-war baseball card boom – solidifying its place as a true heirloom collecting treasure.

BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE 1948 R406 2

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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.

BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE 1950 R406

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Baseball cards from the 1950s are highly sought after by collectors due to the nostalgia of the era and the fact that many star players from that time period are featured on the cards. The 1950s saw the rise of legendary players like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and more which makes cards from that decade very desirable. One of the most famous sets from 1950 is the 1950 Bowman set, in particular the Mickey Mantle rookie card which is card R406 in that set. Let’s take a deeper look at the history and value of the iconic Mantle R406 card.

The 1950 Bowman set was the first widely distributed set issued by the Bowman Gum Company after WWII. Production had been put on hold during the war years so collectors were eager to obtain new cards when they returned in 1950. The set featured 336 cards issued in 11 series over the course of the year. Some of the biggest stars of the era like Mantle, Mays, Ted Williams, and Jackie Robinson were all featured as rookies after having standout debut seasons in the late 1940s.

Mickey Mantle’s rookie card comes in at the #R406 position in the 1950 Bowman set. What makes it so desirable is not only was Mantle one of the greatest players of all time, winning 3 MVP awards and being named an All-Star 16 times, but the timing of his rookie card capture him at the very beginning of his legendary career. From 1951-1968 Mantle put together one of the most impressive careers in baseball history playing his entire 18 year career for the New York Yankees. He hit 536 home runs, batted .298 lifetime, and won 7 World Series titles cementing his place as a true Yankee icon.

For collectors, the scarcity of high grade Mantle R406 cards is a big factor in its value. The cards were mass produced on low quality cardboard stock that was prone to damage over the decades. Well-centered, sharply cornered examples that grade high are exceedingly rare. In the early 1950s, kids would play with and trade these cards, subjecting them to wear and tear that destroyed many high grade specimens. The large size of the 1950 Bowman cards (2.5×3.5 inches) has resulted in more surface area exposed to the elements of time. All of this has conspired to leave us with a small surviving population of pristine R406 Mantle cards today.

In the modern era, a PSA-graded Gem Mint 10 Mantle rookie has sold at auction for over $5.2 million, making it the most valuable baseball card ever sold. Even raw, ungraded Mint 9 condition examples in strong holders have brought $2-3 million at auction. The card has increased exponentially in value over the decades and is now truly a high-end trophy piece for the ultra-wealthy collector. PSA 8s still command well over $500,000 while a low-grade PSA 5 in average condition was recently sold for $80,000 showing there is demand across all grades.

For most collectors, an ungraded Mantle R406 in average circulated condition would still be worth $10,000-20,000 based on current market prices. Anything grading PSA 6 or above is a five-figure card minimum. There are subtleties in condition that affect value such as centering, corners, and surface issues. A sharply centered PSA 6 could rival a lower grade PSA 7 in terms of price. The condition census is also a factor – scarcer higher grades are always more valuable assuming equal centering and surfaces.

Some other key 1950 Bowman cards that have also gained tremendous value include the Willie Mays rookie (card #89), which has also surpassed $1 million for a PSA 10 gem. The Ted Williams rookie (card #74) regularly trades in the $100,000 range for a PSA 8. The Jackie Robinson rookie (card #53) remains one of the most iconic cards in the hobby and can reach $150,000 for a PSA 8. Even common players like Early Wynn or Eddie Mathews have gained collector interest from this classic set in high grades.

The 1950 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie card at position R406 holds a hallowed place in the history of the hobby as quite possibly the most famous and valuable baseball card ever produced. Its ties to one of the true legends of the game along with rarity and condition scarcity make it the pinnacle trophy card for any serious collector. While out of reach except for the ultra-wealthy, it serves as a symbol of how far the hobby has come and as a reminder of Mantle’s unforgettable career. The 1950 Bowman set as a whole also endures as one of the most popular vintage issues and will continue to gain in appreciation for years to come.