What is a good entry point for 1952 Bowman Football?

gosteelers · January 7, 2007 4:03AM

What does everyone think (grade-wise) is a good/somewhat affordable entry point for 1952 Bowman Football (large or small)?

djspann · January 7, 2007 5:17AM

It all depends on your definition of affordable...

I don't know about Bowman small, but in the large set, I consider PSA 8's and higher definitely not affordable. I also think that 7's are not affordable, especially for the SPs, RC's, and Lansford. PSA 7 commons generally sell for $30-$50, and the SPs, RCs, etc. are very high. With 144 cards, and many high $ cards, the PSA 7 level is just too much for me. I'm going for PSA 5 and 6, and that's proving to be expensive also. The Lansford will be at least $2500, I expect. There are many other cards that will run $200-$500 in PSA 6.

PSA 4's and 5's are relatively common, and I think they have nice eye appeal in many cases. A set of 4's and 5's seems like a nice point for me. The cards are available and more reasonably priced. If I were to start over again, I'd probably go for all 5's. I'm far enough along now that I'll still go for 5's and 6's, but it will take longer.

Doug

BillsGridironGreats · January 7, 2007 5:29AM

If you can find a Stydahar Large in PSA 6 for &600, I'll take two. It'll cost you that for a 4.

jaxxr · January 7, 2007 6:13AM

The 1952 set is costly because it has two different sizes from one production year, one size being very rare. The cards are quite nice and are "affordable'" only in the eye of the buyer, Almost any grade with decent eye-appeal would do for me. Best of luck in your pursuit.

I have just started on the 51 Bowman set, and somehow have fixed my flexible focus on PSA 6 and PSA 5 type cards. Both graded and raw will do.

The Bowman football cards from 1950 through 1952 are very colorfull and feature great artwork, the price of the 52s convinced me to try the 51s, which are also a bit larger than the 50s. I would venture a guess that in the next 2 to 4 years, the 50 and 51 sets will increase in value at a higher rate than the already high 52s, I'll also speculate that vintage FB in general will increase at a higher rate than vintage baseball of the same year.

fiveniner · January 7, 2007 7:45AM

Find me either size set of 52 Bowmans irregardless of condition from FAIR on up and I would consider it for sure.Those are the nicest football cards ever printed in my opinion.

Fabfrank · January 7, 2007 11:06PM

I'll be completing the 52 Bowman Large set in the next month or so. You basically have to pick a price level that you are comfortable with and work within that. I originally wanted to build my set in PSA 7. I found I could buy some 8's at a reasonable level, and couldn't touch other cards with a stick. I finally decided I would go as low as PSA 5 and upgrade from there.
I would wholeheartedly recommend building the set. In my eyes it is one of the landmark sets that will only rise in value.
I would also recommend the 50 Bowman set. You can currently by many PSA 8's from that set for under $75. 55+ year old PSA 8's for that price are a great value.

carew4me · January 8, 2007 4:59AM

I am selling most of my Packers, so look for these on ebay soon!

#21 Bill Howton PSA 6
#33 Fred Cone PSA 7
#40 Steve Dowden PSA 7
#44 Babe Parilli PSA 7
#56 Tobin Rote PSA 6
#98 Bobby Dillon PSA 6
#106 Ray Pelfrey PSA 6
#113 Will Reichardt PSA 6
#130 Dom Moselle PSA 6

gregm13 · January 8, 2007 5:13AM

<< <i>I am selling most of my Packers, so look for these on ebay soon!

#21 Bill Howton PSA 6
#33 Fred Cone PSA 7
#40 Steve Dowden PSA 7
#44 Babe Parilli PSA 7
#56 Tobin Rote PSA 6
#98 Bobby Dillon PSA 6
#106 Ray Pelfrey PSA 6
#113 Will Reichardt PSA 6
#130 Dom Moselle PSA 6 >>

Why are you selling your Packers cards?

Regards,

Greg M.

carew4me · January 8, 2007 5:53AM

I need to narrow my scope.

I have most Packer Team sets graded from 1948 - 1979.

Will keep most of the Starr cards and a few others that I like and sell the rest.

Below is a partial ist:

1948 BOWMAN 2 Olsonoski PSA 6
1948 BOWMAN 9 Luhn PSA 5
1948 BOWMAN 20 Goodnight PSA 7
1948 BOWMAN 41 Skoglund PSA 7
1948 BOWMAN 45 Rhodemyer PSA 6
1948 BOWMAN 62 Schkinkman PSA 7
1948 BOWMAN 72 Frtisch PSA 6
1948 BOWMAN 83 Moss PSA 7
1948 BOWMAN 104 Bruce Smith PSA 6
1948 BOWMAN 108 Ray(SP) PSA 5
1948 LEAF 10 Moss PSA 6
1948 LEAF 46 Jacobs PSA 5
1948 LEAF Fritsch PSA 5
1950 BOWMAN 9 Candeo PSA 7
1950 BOWMAN 10 L. Craig PSA 8
1950 BOWMAN 11 Fritsch PSA 8
1950 BOWMAN 46 A. Baldwin PSA 8
1950 BOWMAN 47 L. Courtre PSA 8
1950 BOWMAN 80 D. Wildung PSA 8
1950 BOWMAN 81 T. Rote PSA 8
1950 BOWMAN 82 P. Burris PSA 8
1950 BOWMAN 118 Tonnemaker PSA 8
1950 BOWMAN 119 Schlinkman PSA 8
1950 BOWMAN 120 B. Grimes PSA 8
1951 BOWMAN 16 Roy Steiner PSA 8
1951 BOWMAN 17 E. Girard PSA 8
1951 BOWMAN 18 W. Neal PSA 7
1951 BOWMAN 52 F. Reid PSA 8
1951 BOWMAN 53 Grimes PSA 7
1951 BOWMAN 54 T. Fritsch PSA 7
1951 BOWMAN 88 T. Rote PSA 8
1951 BOWMAN 89 Paul Burris PSA 8
1951 BOWMAN 90 Canadeo PSA 8
1951 BOWMAN 124 Jack Cloud PSA 8
1951 BOWMAN 125 A.Wimberley PSA 7
1951 BOWMAN 126 Wildung PSA 6
1952 BOWMAN-S 9 Spencer PSA 7
1952 BOWMAN-S 9 Spencer PSA 4
1952 BOWMAN-S 21 Howton PSA 7
1952 BOWMAN-L 21 Howton PSA 6
1952 BOWMAN-L 40 S. Dowden PSA 7
1952 BOWMAN-S 40 S. Dowden PSA 7
1952 BOWMAN-L 33 Cone PSA 7
1952 BOWMAN-S 33 Cone PSA 7
1952 BOWMAN-L 44 B. Parilli PSA 7
1952 BOWMAN-S 44 B. Parilli PSA 7
1952 BOWMAN-S 56 Rote PSA 7
1952 BOWMAN-L 56 Rote PSA 6
1952 BOWMAN-S 98 Dillon PSA 6
1952 BOWMAN-L 98 Dillon PSA 6
1952 BOWMAN-S 102 Pelphry PSA 6
1952 BOWMAN-L 102 Pelphry PSA 6
1952 BOWMAN-S 113 Reichardt PSA 7
1952 BOWMAN-L 113 Reichardt PSA 6
1952 BOWMAN-S 130 Moselle PSA 6
1952 BOWMAN-L 130 Moselle PSA 6
1952 BOWMAN-S 135 Ronzani PSA 6
1953 BOWMAN Rote PSA 6
1953 BOWMAN Parilli PSA 6
1954 BOWMAN 10 B. Parilli PSA 8
1954 BOWMAN 22 F. Reid PSA 8
1954 BOWMAN 34 B. Howton PSA 8
1954 BOWMAN 46 F. Cone PSA 8
1954 BOWMAN 58 Art Hunter PSA 8
1954 BOWMAN 70 T. Rote PSA 8
1954 BOWMAN 80 Martinkovic PSA 8
1954 BOWMAN 88 Hanner PSA 8
1954 BOWMAN 94 B. Fleck PSA 8
1954 BOWMAN 105 V. Switzer PSA 8
1954 BOWMAN 115 A. Carmichael PSA 8
1955 BOWMAN 35 Switzer PSA 8
1955 BOWMAN 57 Ferguson PSA 8
1955 BOWMAN 70 Ringo PSA 7
1955 BOWMAN 74 Rote PSA 7
1955 BOWMAN 86 Szafaryn PSA 7
1955 BOWMAN 90 Bettis PSA 7
1955 BOWMAN 95 Reid PSA 7
1955 BOWMAN 102 Carmichael PSA 7
1955 BOWMAN 111 Zatkoff PSA 7
1955 BOWMAN 117 Brown PSA 8
1955 BOWMAN 122 Dillon PSA 8
1955 BOWMAN 131 Hanner PSA 7
1955 BOWMAN 140 Howton PSA 7
1955 BOWMAN 144 Helluin PSA 7
1956 TOPPS 7 Packers Team PSA 8
1956 TOPPS 19 B. Howton PSA 8
1956 TOPPS 31 H. Ferguson PSA 8
1956 TOPPS 43 G. Knaflec PSA 8
1956 TOPPS 55 T. Rote PSA 8
1956 TOPPS 67 R. Zatkoff PSA 8
1956 TOPPS 79 B. Forester PSA 8
1956 TOPPS 91 J.Martinovik PSA 8
1956 TOPPS 103 Dillon PSA 8
1956 TOPPS 115 A. Carmichael PSA 8
1957 TOPPS 9 B. Dillon PSA 8
1957 TOPPS 21 Hanner PSA 8
1957 TOPPS 33 Howton PSA 8
1957 TOPPS 45 Knaflec PSA 8
1957 TOPPS 57 A. Carmichael PSA 8
1957 TOPPS 69 Forester PSA 8
1957 TOPPS 81 T. Rote PSA 8
1957 TOPPS 107 F. Cone PSA 8
1957 TOPPS 132 Ferguson PSA 7
1957 TOPPS 142 Martinkovic PSA 7
1958 TOPPS 6 Howton PSA 8
1958 TOPPS 31 Carmichael PSA 8
1958 TOPPS 32 Dillon PSA 8
1958 TOPPS 48 Dechaine PSA 8
1958 TOPPS 56 Knafelc PSA 8
1958 TOPPS 58 Kramer PSA 8
1958 TOPPS 66 Starr PSA 8
1958 TOPPS 71 McIlhenny PSA 8
1958 TOPPS 96 Packers Team PSA 8
1958 TOPPS 103 J. Ringo PSA 8
1958 TOPPS 118 Parilli PSA 8
1959 TOPPS 4 McGee[R] PSA 8
1959 TOPPS 12 Dillon PSA 8
1959 TOPPS 23 Starr PSA 8
1959 TOPPS 39 Forester PSA 8
1959 TOPPS 46 Packers Team PSA 8
1959 TOPPS 56 Ferguson PSA 8
1959 TOPPS 64 Hanner PSA 8
1959 TOPPS 75 Ringo PSA 8
1959 TOPPS 82 Hornung PSA 8
1959 TOPPS 95 Carpenter PSA 8
1959 TOPPS 98 Pennant PSA 8
1959 TOPPS 107 Parilli PSA 8
1959 TOPPS 116 Kramer[R] PSA 8
1959 TOPPS 129 Spencer PSA 8
1959 TOPPS 129 Taylor[R] PSA 8
1959 TOPPS 129 Currie PSA 8
1960 TOPPS 51 Starr PSA 8
1960 TOPPS 52 Taylor PSA 8
1960 TOPPS 53 Carpenter PSA 8
1960 TOPPS 54 Hornung PSA 8
1960 TOPPS 55 McGee PSA 8
1960 TOPPS 56 Gregg PSA 8
1960 TOPPS 57 Ringo PSA 8
1960 TOPPS 58 Forester PSA 8
1960 TOPPS 59 Hanner PSA 8
1960 TOPPS 60 Packers Team PSA 8
1961 FLEER 88 Starr PSA 8
1961 FLEER 89 Taylor PSA 8
1961 FLEER 90 Hornung PSA 8
1961 FLEER 91 Moore PSA 8
1961 FLEER 92 Dowler PSA 8
1961 FLEER 93 McGee PSA 8
1961 FLEER 94 Gregg PSA 8
1961 FLEER 95 Kramer PSA 8
1961 FLEER 96 Ringo PSA 8
1961 FLEER 97 Forester PSA 7
1961 TOPPS 38 Hornung Hilight PSA 7
1961 TOPPS 39 Starr PSA 8
1961 TOPPS 40 Hornung PSA 8
1961 TOPPS 41 J. Taylor PSA 8
1961 TOPPS 42 McGee PSA 8
1961 TOPPS 43 Dowler PSA 8
1961 TOPPS 44 Ringo PSA 8
1961 TOPPS 45 H. Jordan PSA 7
1961 TOPPS 46 Forester PSA 8
1961 TOPPS 47 Packers Team PSA 8
1962 TOPPS 63 Starr PSA 7
1962 TOPPS 64 Hornung PSA 7
1962 TOPPS 65 Moore PSA 7
1962 TOPPS 66 Taylor PSA 7
1962 TOPPS 67 McGee PSA 7
1962 TOPPS 68 Ringo PSA 8
1962 TOPPS 69 Thurston PSA 8
1962 TOPPS 70 Gregg PSA 7
1962 TOPPS 71 Dowler PSA 8
1962 TOPPS 72 Jordan PSA 8
1962 TOPPS 73 Forester PSA 7
1962 TOPPS 74 Gros PSA 7
1962 TOPPS 75 Team PSA 8
1962 SALADA 13 Taylor PSA 8
1962 SALADA 16 Forester PSA 8
1962 SALADA 17 Hanner PSA 9
1962 SALADA 18 Starr PSA 8
1962 SALADA 19 McGee PSA 8
1962 SALADA 20 Kramer PSA 9
1962 SALADA 21 Gregg PSA 9
1962 SALADA 22 Ringo PSA 8
1963 TOPPS 86 Starr PSA 7
1963 TOPPS 87 Taylor PSA 8
1963 TOPPS 89 Gregg PSA 8
1963 TOPPS 90 Thurston PSA 8
1963 TOPPS 91 Ringo PSA 8
1963 TOPPS 92 Kramer PSA 8
1963 TOPPS 93 Jordan PSA 8
1963 TOPPS 94 Dowler PSA 7
1963 TOPPS 95 Forester PSA 8
1963 TOPPS 95 Wood[R] PSA 8
1963 TOPPS 96 Nitschke[R] PSA 7
1963 TOPPS 97 Packers Team PSA 8
1964 PHILA 71 Adderley[R] PSA 8
1964 PHILA 72 Davis[R] PSA 8
1964 PHILA 73 Gregg PSA 8
1964 PHILA 74 Hornung PSA 8
1964 PHILA 75 H. Jordan PSA 8
1964 PHILA 76 Kramer PSA 8
1964 PHILA 77 Moore PSA 8
1964 PHILA 78 Ringo PSA 8
1964 PHILA 79 Starr PSA 8
1964 PHILA 80 Taylor PSA 8
1964 PHILA 81 Whittendon PSA 8
1964 PHILA 82 Wood PSA 8
1964 PHILA 83 Packers Team PSA 8
1964 PHILA 84 Packers Play PSA 8
1964 WHEATIES Jim Ringo PSA 8
1965 PHILA 71 Packers Team PSA 8
1965 PHILA 72 Adderly PSA 8
1965 PHILA 73 Davis PSA 8
1965 PHILA 74 Dowler PSA 8
1965 PHILA 75 Gregg PSA 8
1965 PHILA 76 Hornung PSA 8
1965 PHILA 77 Jordan PSA 8
1965 PHILA 78 T. Moore PSA 8
1965 PHILA 79 Nitschke PSA 8
1965 PHILA 80 Pitts PSA 8
1965 PHILA 82 Taylor PSA 8
1965 PHILA 81 Starr PSA 8
1965 PHILA 83 Wood PSA 8
1965 PHILA 84 Packers Play PSA 8
1966 PHILA 79 Team PSA 8
1966 PHILA 80 Adderly PSA 8
1966 PHILA 81 Caffey PSA 8
1966 PHILA 82 Chandler PSA 8
1966 PHILA 83 Davis PSA 8
1966 PHILA 85 Dowler PSA 7
1966 PHILA 85 Gregg PSA 8
1966 PHILA 86 Moore PSA 8
1966 PHILA 87 Nitschke PSA 7
1966 PHILA 88 Starr PSA 8
1966 PHILA 89 Taylor PSA 8
1966 PHILA 90 Wood PSA 8
1966 PHILA 91 Packers Play PSA 8
1967 PHILA 73 Team O/C PSA 8
1967 PHILA 74 Adderly PSA 8
1967 PHILA 75 Caffey PSA 7
1967 PHILA 76 Davis PSA 8
1967 PHILA 77 Gregg PSA 7
1967 PHILA 78 Jordan PSA 8
1967 PHILA 79 Nitschke PSA 7
1967 PHILA 80 Robinson PSA 8
1967 PHILA 81 Skoronski PSA 7
1967 PHILA 82 Starr PSA 8
1967 PHILA 83 Wood PSA 7
1967 PHILA 84 Logo PSA 7
1968 TOPPS 1 Starr PSA 8
1968 TOPPS 27 Dale PSA 6
1968 TOPPS 52 Jeter PSA 8
1968 TOPPS 79 Pitts PSA 8
1968 TOPPS 105 Dowler PSA 8
1968 TOPPS 131 Adderley PSA 8
1968 TOPPS 157 Nitschke PSA 8
1968 TOPPS 183 Grabowski PSA 8
1968 TOPPS 209 Anderson PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 7 Jeter PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 33 Dowler PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 55 Nitschke PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 77 C. Dale PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 102 Pitts PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 124 Grabowski PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 146 Caffey PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 168 Wood PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 190 Robinson PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 237 Anderson PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 215 Starr PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 255 Adderley PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 4N1 Pitts PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 4N1 Dowler PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 4N1 Adderly PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 4N1 Woods PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 4N1 Nitschke PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 4N1 Grabowski PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 4N1 Jeter PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 4N1 Starr PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 4N1 Anderson PSA 8
1969 TOPPS 4N1 Dale PSA 8
1970 TOPPS 2 Hart PSA 8
1970 TOPPS 30 Starr PSA 8
1970 TOPPS 55 Nitschke PSA 9
1970 TOPPS 79 Bowman PSA 9
1970 TOPPS 102 Robinson PSA 8
1970 TOPPS 131 Gillingham PSA 9
1970 TOPPS 159 Horn PSA 9
1970 TOPPS 182 Jeter PSA 8
1970 TOPPS 232 Dale PSA 8
1970 TOPPS 261 Wood PSA 9
1971 TOPPS 12 Krause PSA 8
1971 TOPPS 28 Aldridge PSA 8
1971 TOPPS 55 Wood PSA 8
1971 TOPPS 83 G. Gillingham PSA 8
1971 TOPPS 111 Z. Bratkowski PSA 8
1971 TOPPS 133 Nitschke PSA 8
1971 TOPPS 162 Anderson PSA 8
1971 TOPPS 200 Starr PSA 8
1971 TOPPS 235 Ellis PSA 8
1971 TOPPS 248 McCoy PSA 8
1972 TOPPS 2 NFC Rushing Ldrs PSA 8
1972 TOPPS 12 Ellis PSA 9
1972 TOPPS 33 McGeorge PSA 9
1972 TOPPS 85 Brockington PSA 9
1972 TOPPS 116 Robinson PSA 9
1972 TOPPS 151 Lane PSA 8
1972 TOPPS 172 McCoy PSA 9
1972 TOPPS 206 Hunter PSA 8
1972 TOPPS 231 Gillingham PSA 9
1972 TOPPS 260 McCoy IA PSA 8
1972 TOPPS 273 Brockington AP PSA 8
1972 TOPPS 304 C. Dale PSA 9
1973 TOPPS 29 Lane PSA 9
1973 TOPPS 55 Carter PSA 9
1973 TOPPS 82 Bob Brown PSA 9
1973 TOPPS 162 Widbey PSA 9
1973 TOPPS 180 Marcol PSA 9
1973 TOPPS 208 Hayhoe PSA 9
1973 TOPPS 237 Snider PSA 9
1973 TOPPS 263 Jim Hill PSA 9
1973 TOPPS 296 McCoy PSA 9
1973 TOPPS 318 Roche PSA 9
1973 TOPPS 340 Ellis PSA 9
1973 TOPPS 366 Hunter PSA 9
1973 TOPPS 399 Dale PSA 9
1973 TOPPS 446 Bowman PSA 9
1973 TOPPS 521 Carr PSA 9
1974 TOPPS 4 Bowman PSA 8
1974 TOPPS 31 Hunter PSA 8
1974 TOPPS 90 Lane PSA 8
1974 TOPPS 115 Gillingham PSA 8
1974 TOPPS 188 McGeorge PSA 8
1974 TOPPS 292 Buchanon PSA 8
1975 TOPPS 111 Hefner PSA 8
1975 TOPPS 131 Tagge PSA 9
1975 TOPPS 150 Brockington PSA 9
1975 TOPPS 178 McGeorge PSA 8
1975 TOPPS 233 Carr PSA 8
1975 TOPPS 261 Matthews PSA 8
1975 TOPPS 286 Buchanon PSA 9
1975 TOPPS 289 Schmitt PSA 8
1975 TOPPS 330 Marcol PSA 8
1975 TOPPS 389 Ellis PSA 9
1975 TOPPS 415 Lane PSA 8
1975 TOPPS 443 Hadl PSA 9
1975 TOPPS 479 CL. Williams PSA 9
1975 TOPPS 503 Snider PSA 8
1976 TOPPS 41 Johnny Gray PSA 9
1976 TOPPS 62 Barty Smith PSA 9
1976 TOPPS 379 Alvin Matthews PSA 9
1976 TOPPS 504 McGeorge PSA 9
1977 TOPPS 22 McCarren PSA 9
1977 TOPPS 44 McCoy PSA 9
1977 TOPPS 78 Beverly PSA 9
1977 TOPPS Carlos Brown PSA 9
1977 TOPPS 187 McGeorge PSA 9
1977 TOPPS 133 Carr PSA 9
1977 TOPPS 166 Brockington PSA 9
1977 TOPPS 210 Team PSA 9
1977 TOPPS 237 Harrel PSA 9
1977 TOPPS 253 Perry Smith PSA 9
1977 TOPPS 287 Jim Carter PSA 9
1977 TOPPS 323 Chestor Marcol PSA 9
1977 TOPPS 376 Dickey PSA 8
1977 TOPPS 402 Buchannon PSA 9
1977 TOPPS 434 Torkelson PSA 9
1977 TOPPS 471 Johnny Gray PSA 9
1977 TOPPS 509 Steve Odom PSA 9
1978 TOPPS 39 McGeorge PSA 9
1978 TOPPS 78 Dickey PSA 9
1978 TOPPS 138 Gray PSA 9
1978 TOPPS 178 Carter PSA 9
1978 TOPPS 198 Buchannon PSA 9
1978 TOPPS 237 Odom PSA 9
1978 TOPPS 271 Marcol PSA 9
1978 TOPPS 303 Beverly PSA 9
1978 TOPPS 349 Smith PSA 10
1978 TOPPS 407 McCarren PSA 9
1978 TOPPS 510 Team PSA 9
1979 TOPPS 310 Lofton(ROOKIE) PSA 8

SKINSFAN · January 8, 2007 6:52AM

Smalls although cheaper are really harder to find

carew4me · January 8, 2007 6:57AM

Agreed!

weinhold · June 19, 2009 7:38AM

I just began a 1952 Bowman Large Football Registry. I'm starting with the Hall Of Famers from the set, of which there are many. I usually avoid buying commons, but can see myself doing it for classic sets with brilliant artistry such as the 1952 Bowman Large Football and 1953 Topps Baseball.

Of course, there is a lower population of the former than the latter. Scarcity will be good for the supply/demand economics going forward. However, it sure takes patience to wait for the right '52 BL Football to appear for sale.

There certainly are some fine 1952 BL Football sets on the Registry now - and thanks for those of you whom share your scans with us.

BigDaddyBowman · June 19, 2009 9:23AM

No doubt that the Bowman issues are the greatest!

I am currently working on the 48 and 51 bowman football sets in SGC. I have about 70% of the 48 (in 6 and up) and 50% of the 51 (in 7 and up). I would also love to build the 52 large set, but the cost always keeps me away. Ask Perkdog (Paul) about that....he started to build it in 7 and up..and soon realized that it would take a small fortune to complete, so he pulled the plug on it.

I would suggest building it in 5's and 6's....anything higher will deplete your funds quickly.

weinhold · June 19, 2009 10:13AM

I scooped up Perkdog's 1952 Bowman Large Otto Graham PSA 7, had it bumped to a PSA 7.5. Although you and Paul's thoughts are probably valid, I plan to keep plodding along slowly in high grade mode on this fantastic set. In some ways, the 1952 Bowman Large Football are superior to the long-revered 1952 Topps Baseball - and I hope that it does not appear as sacrilege to state that. Besides the lower population, the eye appeal of the football issue exceeds that of the baseball. However, in name recognition (Mantle, Mays, Berra, Jackie Robinson, Snider, Rizzuto, Campy, Reese), I guess the baseball issue wins.

Thanks - I checked out the link to your collection, including some quality '52 Bowman Larges there in SGC and PSA holders. BTW, how do I do the shortcut link to my PSA Registries?

BigDaddyBowman · June 19, 2009 11:15AM

Every collector has their own unique interest and budget. If the collector has the budget to build a 7 and up 52 Large set....I say Go for it! When completed, the set would be one of the finest out there in any year...a true gem. I would love to build it...and maybe some day I will. Right now I am going after the HOFer's and will stick with that. The scarcity of the cards in 7 and 8 makes it very tough and VERY expensive...I have a hard time spending over $50 bucks for a 51 Bowman common in 8....let alone the hundreds I would have to spend for a 52 in 8.

After I finish the 48 and 51 sets... I may venture into a low to mid grade 52 set..but I never see myself going any higher than 6 for commons in 52.

In regards to scarcity,I have to agree that the 52 small are more scarce than the large..but demand for the large is greater and hence more valuable.

In comparison to the 52 baseball set, SGC has an article in their most recent magaizine written by Mike Denero that debates why the 52 football set is superior to the 52 baseball.

to link to your registries...use the language on teh bottom of teh search page to link the url

Fabfrank · June 19, 2009 11:18AM

I just began a 1952 Bowman Large Football Registry

Welcome and good luck. This is a great set and if you are patient, you can build this set in hi grade. My only advice would be that when hi grade cards become available (PSA 8+), buy them because they will not be around for long. Also, check out Mint States and NearMints web sites. They are great board members and usually have a nice inventory of 52 Large.

weinhold · June 19, 2009 8:44PM

Thanks for the advice BDB and Frank. Yes, for me the 1951 Bowman Football may be every bit as handsome as the 1952s. The 1950, 1951, and 1952 Bowman are the best-looking vintage cards I know, with an honorable mention to the 1955 Topps All-Americans. I read the Denero's column comparing the 1952 Bowman Football Set to the Baseball - an excellent read. In fact, I wrote an article for Denero's last month that included waxing poetic about early '50s Bowman Football issues. Yes, Rick at Mint State has been a real help to me thus far.

Geez, I still can't quite figure out how to do the shortcut link to my PSA Registries even after checking the bottom of the "Search" and "Help" page. With this learning curve, maybe I'll learn how to post pictures here by 2012.

JMDVM · June 20, 2009 2:43PM

I could use the 66 Phil#79 Packers Team PSA 8 and the 68 Pitts PSA 8. Are they for sale? Email me at jmdvm7@comcast.net. Thanks

perkdog · June 21, 2009 2:30AM

<< <i>I scooped up Perkdog's 1952 Bowman Large Otto Graham PSA 7, had it bumped to a PSA 7.5. >>

No offense to you Keith but the fact that the Graham I sold to you bumbed to a 7.5 makes me want to throw up in my mouth, I submitted that card TWICE to get the bump and some moron ( yes moron ) shot it down twice.
Sorry but had to vent on that one again, the grading game is a complete joke and scam that is one of the reasons why I bailed on building this set.

Ok on to the 52 set...

Yes beautiful football set most definately the nicest of the 1950's Bowmans as far as Im concernmed. Fabrank and some others are the "experts" on the set but I will throw in my two cents, building the set in PSA 8 is not going to happen anytime soon maybe just maybe in 10-20 years you might end up finding them all in that grade! PSA 7 will be extremely tough as well because of the SP"s - prolly not going to happen anytime soon as well!

These cards are plaqued with centering issues and are a PITA to find sometimes. Good luck trying to find these SP's, some of them seem to be non existent and you will more than likely have to wait for a set break to get them in even low grade. You should pick up the super tough SP's when you see them regardless of grade because it may be a long while before you see another.

Have fun and best of luck Keith, btw you were a pleasure to deal with and I appreaciate it.

weinhold · June 22, 2009 3:44AM

Thanks for the input about the entry point for building the 1952 Bowman Large Football. I knew doing it in high grade would be difficult, and from others' opinions, it sounds even more difficult than I had considered earlier. I am young and have many years to do it - so maybe considering PSA 6s will develop later. Scooping up what I can when I can seems sound advice too. There was a nice Joe Perry PSA 8 and "Tank" Younger PSA 8.5 that I passed on before registering my set. It may be a while until those come up. Despite being a relative "common", the 1952 Bowman Large "Tank" Younger card is a visual stunner.

As for Paul "Perkdog", I feel kind of bad that you submitted the Graham PSA 7 for review twice, didn't get the bump, then sold it to me and I got the bump to PSA 7.5 on my first attempt. I have had my '52 Bowman Large review failures lately - my Baugh and Bednarik failed to bump to 8.5. Also, my '52 Large of Graham's Browns battery mate, Dante "Glue Fingers" Lavelli, failed to bump from 8 to 8.5 - and I submitted Lavelli twice in one month's time, almost disbelieving that the card didn't warrant the reward. Paul, I wonder if you will continue set pursuit at lower grade? In any case, I look forward to dealing with you again sometime.

Over time, it's possible that the 1951 Bowman FB will become one I favor more than the 1952. It looks like PSA has graded roughly 12,000 '51s and 11,000 '52s. The '51 has commensurate eye appeal, lots of stars, and I believe fewer (or no) players in college uniforms. However, 1952 is considered the "classic" and I want to start there.

perkdog · June 22, 2009 4:17AM

Hi Keith, no need to feel bad

I shouldnt complain because I know Im not the only one who has been disapointed by the .5 deal.

I checked out your PSA & SGC collection and it is a thing of beauty- hard to believe you started in '08, it is obvious by your blogs in the registry that you have a passion for these cards. I will always love the Bowman football sets and I would be lying if I said I dont have a little bit of regret discontinuing my set run however for me the cons outweighed the pros.

Im suprised you dont like the look of the college unis on some of the '52's I always thought it added a nice touch, as much as I favor the large size of the set I must admit the '51 set offers more as far as a wide variety of action shots with colorful backgrounds to go along with profile poses as well. It will certainly be easier to fill this set up with 8 grade than the '52 set, if you dont mind having say 10% of these '52's in low to mid grade then go for it, be prepared to be frustrated in finding even filler cards of the Van Buren, Hancok, Stydahar and a few others that rarely come up for sale, also the few times you might see certain cards in 7+ grade they tend to be off center and lack good eye appeal, one positive thing comparing the two sets is there doesnt seem to be much of an issue with wax and gum stains on these as much as the 51 set does.

gosteelers · June 23, 2009 3:23AM

Does this seem like a low winning bid for this Stydahar?

Stydahar Large

perkdog · June 23, 2009 7:54AM

<< <i>Does this seem like a low winning bid for this Stydahar?

Stydahar Large >>

I would say most definately. If there was a gaurentee that the card would cross to a PSA holder I bet the hammer would have been for more than 1K, if a PSA guy bought that card he might be pulling his hair out trying to cross it although if it does he did very well.

Either way I would have spent that and took the gamble all day on it, $610 is a steal if it crosses.

Fabfrank · June 23, 2009 8:02AM

I agree with Perkdog. That Stydahar at that price is a steal. It's tough to tell from the scan, but If that card does get into a PSa 7 holder, it's going to be with an OC qualifier. Either way, it was a great deal for the buyer

gosteelers · June 29, 2009 12:25PM

Now I know how much nice, short print cards fetch...

SP $$$

perkdog · June 29, 2009 12:35PM

<< <i>Now I know how much nice, short print cards fetch...

SP $$$ >>

Oh yea, they tend to go more for that..

I sold my PSA 7 Conerly for $1100 and my PSA 7 Van Brocklin for $1100 as well.

Well worth it though if your looking to build the set or try to get as many 7's and up- these cards seriously dont appear to often and command the dough when they do.

Nathaniel1960 · June 30, 2009 7:40AM

Go for the 52 large, with centered Five's or even better Four's with no visible issues. Probably a top ten set of all sports ever made.

tribefever · July 13, 2009 4:25AM

Good news, the Stydahar came back a PSA 7 with NQ. I debated weather or not to crack it and submit it or just send it in the holder, but ultimatley just sent it in still in the SGC holder.

JMDVM · July 16, 2009 4:37PM

I recently purchased a 52 Large set. 26 cards were SGC graded and I am in the process of crossing them over to PSA. My intention is to replace the 6s and 8s in my registered set with 7s. I will be making the 6s and 8s available. The first submission of three has popped. These are the cards that are available: #14 Brown PSA 7,#36 Hancck PSA 5,#46 Donovan RC PSA 6, #48 Halas PSA 6, #72 Schweder PSA 6, #92 Pihos PSA 6 AND PSA 7,#99 Stydahar PSA 5, #127 MATSON RC PSA 8, #129 Christiansen RC PSA 6, #135 Ronzani PSA 5,#144 Lansford SGC 60. My email is jmdvm7@comcast.net. I don't know how to PM. I will provide scans on requests.

nike24801 · July 17, 2009 1:40AM

Email sent

What is a good entry point for 1952 Bowman Football?

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