Leaf, is it 1948, 1949, or both?

digicat · May 4, 2009 9:29AM

What's the general hobby-accepted view on the Leaf baseball set from the 40s?

PSA idenfies the cards as "1948 Leaf."
SGC idenfies the cards as "1948-49 Leaf."
Beckett idenfies the cards as "1949 Leaf."

Jackie Robinson has a card in this set. His first Bowman card is in 1949. Would the 1949 Bowman card be considered his rookie card as well as the Leaf card?

PoppaJ · May 4, 2009 9:48AM

Digi,

It's considered a 1948 issue by collectors, but many of the cards weren’t actually issued until 1949.

Either 1948 or 1949 is accepted, thus the confusion.

PoppaJ

gumbyfan · May 4, 2009 10:53AM

Link

digicat · May 5, 2009 1:18AM

So, calling a 1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson a "rookie card" would be an error, no?

Griffins · May 5, 2009 1:58AM

I've never seen any evidence they were issued before Feb '49.

Here is a link to the most detailed article written on the set.
As far as Jackie Robinson's rookie card, the 1947 Bond Bread set predates the '49 Leaf and Bowman issues, as does the Old Gold Cigarettes and Swell Sport Thrills card of him.
The Leaf most certainly predated the Bowman, albeit by a couple of months.

onebamafan · May 5, 2009 4:16AM

All are accepted, usually collectors know of which you speak. Yes, it can be confusing.

fkw · May 5, 2009 12:35PM

All Leaf Baseball cards were issued in 1949 (but some do have a 1948 copyright date)

1949 Leaf dating info

Edited to say.... Griffins link above is a great info story on the Leaf cards, and Ted knows his Leaf cards (he collected them personally as a kid)

RawPlusSlabbed · May 5, 2009 12:51PM

I think Frank already mentioned - 1949 Leaf is the only correct answer. However, some or maybe even most of the cards have a 1948 copyright date.

RawPlusSlabbed · May 5, 2009 12:54PM

<< <i>I've never seen any evidence they were issued before Feb '49.

Here is a link to the most detailed article written on the set.
As far as Jackie Robinson's rookie card, the 1947 Bond Bread set predates the '49 Leaf and Bowman issues, as does the Old Gold Cigarettes and Swell Sport Thrills card of him.
The Leaf most certainly predated the Bowman, albeit by a couple of months. >>

Ted Z. is the man.

Leaf, is it 1948, 1949, or both?

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