The 1991 Bowman baseball card set is highly sought after by collectors due to several key rookie cards included in the set. While the 1980s and early 1990s saw explosive growth in the baseball card industry, 1991 stands out as one of the more memorable years that produced valuable rookie cards still popular with collectors today.
Perhaps the most notable rookie card in the 1991 Bowman set is that of Cubs shortstop Shawon Dunston. As the top overall pick in the 1982 MLB draft, Dunston debuted with the Cubs in 1986 and became an instant star, making the All-Star team in his first full season in 1987. Although injuries later slowed his career, at the time of his 1991 Bowman rookie card Dunston was considered one of the bright young stars in baseball. Even graded as a lowly PSA 5, Dunston’s rookie fetched over $150 at auction in 2021. Higher graded examples can sell for thousands due to his established fame in the late 1980s.
Two other valuable rookie cards from 1991 Bowman are pitcher Tom Glavine and outfielder Barry Bonds. Glavine went on to have a hall of fame career pitching for the Atlanta Braves, winning 305 games and two Cy Young awards. Meanwhile, Bonds became the all-time home run king and one of the greatest players ever. Both players were highly touted prospects in 1991. Glavine rookies in PSA 9 condition have sold for $700 recently, while a PSA 10 could earn over $2,000 at auction. Bonds cards from this set are even more expensive, with a PSA 9 reaching $900 and PSA 10s selling for $2,500 or more depending on the auction. The combination of their eventual prestige and the smaller print run of the 1991 Bowman set makes these cards very sought after.
While not as expensive as the previous three, Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie is also a key card in the 1991 Bowman set. Griffey was one of the most hyped prospects ever, and living up to the expectations as arguably the best center fielder of the 1990s. Even lower grade Griffey rookies in PSA 5 or 6 condition can sell for $100-$200 based on his continued popularity among collectors. Higher graded examples have sold for over $1,000. With his smooth left-handed swing and effortless defense, Griffey was a fan favorite during his peak and his rookie card remains a popular pickup for team and player collectors.
Aside from these headliners, there are several other notables and future stars scattered throughout the 1991 Bowman set that can carry value depending on the player and card condition. For example, shortstop Derek Jeter had his rookie card in 1991 Bowman and while he was not quite the massive prospect that Griffey was, Jeter went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Yankees. PSA 9 Jeter rookies have sold for over $300. Other examples includes Hall of Famer Mike Piazza (PSA 9 over $150), David Justice (PSA 9 around $100), and Bobby Bonilla (PSA 9 around $75). While most common copies of these players have significantly less value, higher grades retain interest due to their big league success.
Some other lesser known but still useful players include Larry Walker (PSA 9 over $100), Todd Hollandsworth (PSA 9 around $50), and Russ Davis (PSA 9 around $30-40). Admittedly most copies of these secondary players are only valuable in high grades, but they still represent usable major leaguers that some collectors seek out. For ambitious collectors looking to put together a complete set, locating and grading all the cards necessary takes time and money.
While print runs of similar early 90s issues like Score and Donruss dwarfed the 1991 Bowman production, it yielded some of the most valuable rookie cards in the hobby. Headlined by future Hall of Famers like Glavine, Bonds, and Griffey, the cards have remained widely collected and prices have grown steadily. Even secondary players hold niche appeal. For those investing or simply appreciating the early days of these all-time great players, 1991 Bowman endures as a memorable and closely followed release that is sure to maintain demand for years to come. Between the star power and relatively low surviving populations compared to other contemporaneous sets, 1991 Bowman earned its place as a true heavyweight in the collectibles world.
