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1953 Bowman Color Set Thread

Is there a thread for this set?? Now there is!
Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
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  • PowderedH2OPowderedH2O Posts: 2,443 ✭✭
    I'm not sure why there isn't a thread for any of the three 1953 baseball sets. The Bowman color is one of the most beautiful sets of all time. The black and white set is also an awesome set. And the Topps set has those beautiful oil paintings that are just fantastic. Maybe an "Official 1953 Bowman/Topps Baseball Thread" is in order. It would certainly get my participation.
    Successful dealings with shootybabitt, LarryP, Doctor K, thedutymon, billsgridirongreats, fattymacs, shagrotn77, pclpads, JMDVM, gumbyfan, itzagoner, rexvos, al032184, gregm13, californiacards3, mccardguy1, BigDaddyBowman, bigreddog, bobbyw8469, burke23, detroitfan2, drewsef, jeff8877, markmac, Goldlabels, swartz1, blee1, EarlsWorld, gseaman25, kcballboy, jimrad, leadoff4, weinhold, Mphilking, milbroco, msassin, meteoriteguy, rbeaton and gameusedhoop.
  • ElemenopeoElemenopeo Posts: 2,577 ✭✭

    The '53 Bowman set is definitely in the top five of sets I'd love to tackle someday. I'm a stickler for centering though, and finding examples of '53 Bowmans with decent centering is more than the usual challenge.

  • bobsbbcardsbobsbbcards Posts: 3,254 ✭✭✭
    Definitely a beautiful set. I just wish it contained more players.

    Some of my favorites:

    imageimage

    imageimage

    imageimage

    imageimage

    imageimage

    imageimage
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭
    Centering is tough on these cards for sure however not as bad as the black and white.I have 70 cards ready to go for August special. I will be very happy to get at least a 5 across the board.
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭
    Those 53 's are SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEET! Bob.
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭
    How do you start a thread? I have no clue I am too OLD SCHOOL to understand all these terms.
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • nam812nam812 Posts: 10,531 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>How do you start a thread? I have no clue I am too OLD SCHOOL to understand all these terms. >>



    You started this one. image
  • SDSportsFanSDSportsFan Posts: 5,086 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>How do you start a thread? I have no clue I am too OLD SCHOOL to understand all these terms. >>




    Go to the top-right corner of the screen under "Navigation", and click on the third button from the left (New Topic).

    Then, start your thread.

    Steve
  • GDM67GDM67 Posts: 2,523 ✭✭✭✭
    The Spahn is on my Ultimate Dream list (the same one that has the Aaron rookie.) I also love that Jethroe card.
  • bxbbxb Posts: 805 ✭✭
    A beautiful set, IMO the best looking set of the 1950s.

    I have a complete raw set in a Roop binder, the quality of the photos is stunning.
    Capecards
  • blacklabblacklab Posts: 187 ✭✭
    The '53 Bowman color is the best, but you are right, the centering issues with the balck & white set are really tough.
  • RedHeart54RedHeart54 Posts: 2,267 ✭✭✭
    This brings to mind several questions that maybe have long been answered but are still unknown to me.

    Why did Bowman put out two sets that year?

    Why were they split into a color set and black and white set?

    Why were all the stars in the color set? (Casey Stengel is the only name that comes to mind in the B&W set.)


    BTW, love that Ashburn. IMO the best looking cards include the green dugout walls or green bat rack- Ashburn, Musial, Yogi, Bauer/Berra/Mantle, etc.

    But I also like the "big sky" background of the Bob Feller.
  • GDM67GDM67 Posts: 2,523 ✭✭✭✭
    From what I recall, this set was very expensive to produce. Essentially, it broke Bowman's back, financially. I believe they planned on the B&W set being in color but just couldn't afford to produce it.
  • 19541954 Posts: 2,866 ✭✭✭
    Just got back from the National today and I picked up a 1953 Bowman set in mid grade. The set contained 40 graded cards from PSA 4-7. My hope is to merge the two sets and sell off the other one.

    Shane
    Looking for high grade rookie cards and unopened boxes/cases
  • jradke4jradke4 Posts: 3,573 ✭✭✭
    the 53 color has always been one of my favorites....even back in the 80's when i was a teenager. the colors just jump out at you. just look at the warmth in that stan the man card. i have always wanted to pursue this set and some day i will in full. have a few raws but not too many.
    Packers Fan for Life
    Collecting:
    Brett Favre Master Set
    Favre Ticket Stubs
    Favre TD Reciever Autos
    Football HOF Player/etc. Auto Set
    Football HOF Rc's
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Just got back from the National today and I picked up a 1953 Bowman set in mid grade. The set contained 40 graded cards from PSA 4-7. My hope is to merge the two sets and sell off the other one.

    Shane >>




    GOOD JOB not easy to find a complete set anywhere.
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭


    << <i>This brings to mind several questions that maybe have long been answered but are still unknown to me.

    Why did Bowman put out two sets that year?

    Why were they split into a color set and black and white set?

    Why were all the stars in the color set? (Casey Stengel is the only name that comes to mind in the B&W set.)


    BTW, love that Ashburn. IMO the best looking cards include the green dugout walls or green bat rack- Ashburn, Musial, Yogi, Bauer/Berra/Mantle, etc.

    But I also like the "big sky" background of the Bob Feller. >>



    The reason I have heard that they split the set is because the Color set was costing Bowman to much to produce so they later changed to the cheaper black and white.The B&W did not have as much of a print run as the color.Both great sets IMO.
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • bman90278bman90278 Posts: 3,453 ✭✭✭
    I just wanted to say that I love those 53 Bowman color cards.

    brian
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I just wanted to say that I love those 53 Bowman color cards.

    brian >>



    Me too.I am slowy wotking on getting my set entierly graded.I will be happy with a grade of 3.5 or better.The cards are so nice that the flaws do not appear as bad on them as on other cards IMO.This is definetely my new project I started a while back and hope to finish up by years end.
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • Love both 1953 sets! Here are the Bowmans that I have:
    image
    imageimage
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭
    Just added 20 cards to the registry today.Jumped from 49th to 37 LOL.
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • I have been (very) slowly working on this set in PSA 6 and 7 for the last couple years. My most recent and significant pick-up is the Reese in PSA 6.5. Just a stunning card (both in general and mine specificaly). No decent scan, but unless there is a light scratch somewhere that I haven't seen, I don't see any reason it couldn't be a 7 or even 7.5...will probably resubmit it some day for a shot at a bump, but no hurry.

    One problem I've found with the '53 Bowmans is rough cuts on the long edges...some of the most noticeable rough cuts I've seen on any set. PSA doesn't seem to reduce grades for rough cuts, but I don't find them appealing, so I have a lot of trouble finding well-centered versions with limited or no rough cut.
    image Check out my eBay listings for vintage graded baseball. BIN items are no more than 105% of VCP Average, auctions start at no more than 90% VCP Average. Refunds available on all sales. Buy and bid with confidence!
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭
    I sent in 70 more cards in for submission yesterday.I will be happy to end up between 3.5 to 5 overall.Will show some when I get them back.
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭
    Brunbuck that Reese card has to be one of the neatest cards of all time.
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • This one?
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭
    Waiting for my last 48 cards to complete the set to come back from PSA.Low grade but attractive. I will upgrade some stars as when I get some doe.
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • paleocardspaleocards Posts: 922 ✭✭✭✭
    I have only one card to contribute to this thread. Picked it up at the Baltimore National and it's now one of the centerpieces of my collection:

    image
  • yankeeno7yankeeno7 Posts: 9,242 ✭✭✭
    The Black and Whites do have some decent star power. Not just Stengel but there is Wilhelm, Mize, Lemon, Branca.
    I also will pick up an signed card here and there...
    image
    image
    image
    image
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I have only one card to contribute to this thread. Picked it up at the Baltimore National and it's now one of the centerpieces of my collection:

    image >>





    Sweet Card!!!
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭


    << <i>The Black and Whites do have some decent star power. Not just Stengel but there is Wilhelm, Mize, Lemon, Branca.
    I also will pick up an signed card here and there...
    image
    image
    image
    image >>



    Black and white are awesome also and quite more scarce.
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭
    My latest subs (Did not go into this expecting to build a High Grade set) some pf the 1s and 2s will be replaced eventually.

    Order #20437010 / Submission #690724
    Line # Item # Cert # Grade Description Type Country
    1 1 17217072 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 106 KEN RAFFENSBERGER Card US
    2 1 17217073 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 107 ALEX KELLNER Card US
    3 1 17217074 VERY GOOD 3 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 108 BOBBY ADAMS Card US
    4 1 17217075 GOOD 2 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 110 BOB RUSH Card US
    5 1 17217076 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 111 JIM DYCK Card US
    6 1 17217077 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 112 TOBY ATWELL Card US
    7 1 17217078 GOOD+ 2.5 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 115 CLOYD BOYER Card US
    8 1 17217079 VERY GOOD 3 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 116 EDDIE YOST Card US
    9 1 17217080 VERY GOOD 3 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 119 DALE MITCHELL Card US
    10 1 17217081 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 120 MARLIN STUART Card US
    11 1 17217082 POOR 1 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 121 YOGI BERRA Card US
    12 1 17217083 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 122 BILL SERENA Card US
    13 1 17217084 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 123 JOHNNY LIPON Card US
    14 1 17217085 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 124 CHARLIE DRESSEN Card US
    15 1 17217086 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 125 FRED HATFIELD Card US
    16 1 17217087 VERY GOOD 3 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 126 AL CORWIN Card US
    17 1 17217088 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 127 DICK KRYHOSKI Card US
    18 1 17217089 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 128 WHITEY LOCKMAN Card US
    19 1 17217090 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 130 CASS MICHAELS Card US
    20 1 17217091 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 131 CONNIE RYAN Card US
    21 1 17217092 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 133 WILLIE JONES Card US
    22 1 17217093 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 132 FRED HUTCHINSON Card US
    23 1 17217094 VERY GOOD 3 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 134 JOHNNY PESKY Card US
    24 1 17217095 VERY GOOD 3 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 135 BOBBY MORGAN Card US
    25 1 17217096 GOOD 2 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 136 JIM BRIDEWESER Card US
    26 1 17217097 VERY GOOD 3 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 138 BUBBA CHURCH Card US
    27 1 17217098 EXCELLENT 5 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 140 ALPHA BRAZLE Card US
    28 1 17217099 GOOD 2 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 141 FRANK SPEC SHEA Card US
    29 1 17217100 POOR 1 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 142 LARRY MIGGINS Card US
    30 1 17217101 VERY GOOD 3 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 143 AL LOPEZ Card US
    31 1 17217102 POOR 1 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 144 WARREN HACKER Card US
    32 1 17217103 GOOD 2 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 145 GEORGE SHUBA Card US
    33 1 17217104 VERY GOOD 3 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 146 EARLY WYNN Card US
    34 1 17217105 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 147 CLEM KOSHOREK Card US
    35 1 17217106 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT+ 4.5 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 148 BILLY GOODMAN Card US
    36 1 17217107 EXCELLENT 5 MC 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 155 ALLIE CLARK Card US
    37 1 17217108 POOR 1 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 156 MAX SURKONT Card US
    38 1 17217109 GOOD+ 2.5 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 158 HOWARD FOX Card US
    39 1 17217110 VERY GOOD 3 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 159 MICKEY VERNON Card US
    40 1 17217111 VERY GOOD 3 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 36 MINNIE MINOSO Card US
    41 1 17217112 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 8 AL ROSEN Card US
    42 1 17217113 EXCELLENT+ 5.5 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 30 PHIL CAVARRETTA Card US
    43 1 17217114 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 154 OMAR TURK LOWN Card US
    44 1 17217115 VERY GOOD+ 3.5 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 103 DEL ENNIS Card US
    45 1 17217116 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1955 TOPPS 4 AL KALINE Card US
    46 1 17217117 EXCELLENT+ 5.5 1955 TOPPS 11 FERRIS FAIN Card US
    47 1 17217118 VERY GOOD 3 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 10 RICHIE ASHBURN Card US
    48 1 17217119 EXCELLENT 5 1955 TOPPS 180 CLEM LABINE Card US
    49 1 17217120 VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT 4 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 150 CARL SCHEIB Card US
    50 1 17217121 VERY GOOD+ 3.5 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 63 GIL McDOUGALD Card US
    51 1 17217122 VERY GOOD 3 1953 BOWMAN COLOR 58 WILLARD MARSHALL Card US
    There are a couple of 55s in here too.I must of missed something on my 55s????
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • yankeeno7yankeeno7 Posts: 9,242 ✭✭✭
    Nice start on your set!

    Lothar52 built this set. Im sure he could give you some insight.

    I also have a signed Sid Luckman black and white. The B+W look so sharp signed when the sig is bold.
  • Lothar52Lothar52 Posts: 2,664 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Nice start on your set!

    Lothar52 built this set. Im sure he could give you some insight.

    I also have a signed Sid Luckman black and white. The B+W look so sharp signed when the sig is bold. >>



    I LOVE ME SOME 53 BOWMANS!! image
  • 19541954 Posts: 2,866 ✭✭✭
    Fiveniner-
    Congrats on the grades and getting closer to finishing the set. I got a call today from a guy who wants to sell his baseball card collection. He collected these cards as a child and does not have anyone to pass them down to. I asked him what he had and he told me mostly the years between 1953 and 1955. I asked him the condition and he told me that some had creasing but not all of them were in bad shape. I was assuming that he was talking about Topps when he told me that he had 7 Bob Fellers from 1953. I told him that the Feller was a double print and was a pretty easy card. He said that figures because I have so many of them. We continued the conversation and I asked how many 1953 Topps cards that he had for sale? He said almost a complete set but I have a ton of cards from 120-160 but was missing some of the lower numbers. Then I realized that he was speaking about the 53 Bowman Color set when he told me that the Feller was card numbered 114. I am picking these up on Tuesday so I will let you know what all is in the collection to see if I can help you finish this.

    Shane
    Looking for high grade rookie cards and unopened boxes/cases
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭
    great
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭
    Within the next few days I will be entering the last of my 53s on the Registery.
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭




    Well I always wanted to put together a 53 Bowman color set in raw condition and I did finally with the help of picking up 95 different cards from GD/VGEX .After finishing up the rest of the set I decided to take a shot and have the cards graded about 50 at a time being out of work most of this year I had to be tight with the dough and set a budget for myself.It is ranked 25 and would grade out overall at about VG+ however I do plan to upgrade some of the Star cards when I can meet the price.The set looks pretty darn good in them psa holders even some of the 1s and 2s in which I have a few.
    Thought I would share!!!
    image
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • I may never finish this set, but I just started it. I'm not going for as high a grade as I am in some of my other sets, because it seems to me cards from this set can be mid-low grade and still look cool as sh*t.

    Here's a 'for instance'. The scan doesn't do this card justice; it's the nicest PSA 4 I have ever seen in my life.

    image

    'Sir, I realize it's been difficult for you to sleep at night without your EX/MT 1977 Topps Tom Seaver, but I swear to you that you'll get it safe and sound.'
    -CDs Nuts, 1/20/14

    *1956 Topps baseball- 97.4% complete, 7.24 GPA
    *Clemente basic set: 85.0% complete, 7.89 GPA
  • JMDVMJMDVM Posts: 950 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Definitely a beautiful set. I just wish it contained more players.

    Some of my favorites:

    imageimage

    imageimage

    imageimage

    imageimage

    imageimage

    imageimage >>




    WOW!!!! Those 8s are beautiful. I'm doing it in PSA 7 and that's tough enough
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭
    Nice to see that the thread is still alive.Lets keep it going.This is a very historical set because of actual color pictures.
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • Here is my contribution to this thread. I have most of this set in random grades, but I recently decided to go for a set of straight PSA 7s. It's not much, but here is what I have so far. Any help finding other cards from the set would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Hal

    imageimage

    imageimage

    imageimage

    imageimage

    imageimage

    imageimage

    imageimage

    imageimage

    imageimage
    image
  • GDM67GDM67 Posts: 2,523 ✭✭✭✭
    Some really beautiful cards there.
  • jeff8877jeff8877 Posts: 1,164 ✭✭✭
    Beautiful cards guys...this is a very nice looking set. I am working on a raw black and white set. If anyone has some laying around please message me.

    Thanks

    Jeff
  • Last night someone had a ton of PSA 3-5's going in a set break. I was torn. I love this set, but I couldn't pull the trigger on the 3's and 4's. It is one of those sets that needs to be in reasonalby high grade for me to appreciate. Perhaps at some point in the future I will be able to afford to tackle this set.
    Successful dealings with shootybabitt, LarryP, Doctor K, thedutymon, billsgridirongreats, fattymacs, shagrotn77, pclpads, JMDVM, gumbyfan, itzagoner, rexvos, al032184, gregm13, californiacards3, mccardguy1, BigDaddyBowman, bigreddog, bobbyw8469, burke23, detroitfan2, drewsef, jeff8877, markmac, Goldlabels, swartz1, blee1, EarlsWorld, gseaman25, kcballboy, jimrad, leadoff4, weinhold, Mphilking, milbroco, msassin, meteoriteguy, rbeaton and gameusedhoop.


  • << <i>Last night someone had a ton of PSA 3-5's going in a set break. I was torn. I love this set, but I couldn't pull the trigger on the 3's and 4's. It is one of those sets that needs to be in reasonalby high grade for me to appreciate. Perhaps at some point in the future I will be able to afford to tackle this set. >>


    I picked up a 4.5 and a 5 from that set break. Both dead-nuts centered. Mmmmmmm, centering.

    image
    'Sir, I realize it's been difficult for you to sleep at night without your EX/MT 1977 Topps Tom Seaver, but I swear to you that you'll get it safe and sound.'
    -CDs Nuts, 1/20/14

    *1956 Topps baseball- 97.4% complete, 7.24 GPA
    *Clemente basic set: 85.0% complete, 7.89 GPA
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭
    Loving It!!
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • pclpadspclpads Posts: 457 ✭✭
    I could never figure how Bowman could knock it out of the park w/ the '53 color set then slide into dismal mediocrity with the '54 and especially the '55. For my money, the '53 color rivals Topps '57 for sheer beauty and composition. After the '52T, these are the two best visual sets from the '50's.
  • PowderedH2OPowderedH2O Posts: 2,443 ✭✭
    Funny thing is, I don't think the 54 set is mediocre. It is an ok set. I like it a lot. But, photo wise, it can't even come close to 53 or 55. Not sure why. If the 54's had the photography of the 53's, that simple design with the color bar at the lower end would be one of the most popular sets of all time. Alas, tis not the case.
    Successful dealings with shootybabitt, LarryP, Doctor K, thedutymon, billsgridirongreats, fattymacs, shagrotn77, pclpads, JMDVM, gumbyfan, itzagoner, rexvos, al032184, gregm13, californiacards3, mccardguy1, BigDaddyBowman, bigreddog, bobbyw8469, burke23, detroitfan2, drewsef, jeff8877, markmac, Goldlabels, swartz1, blee1, EarlsWorld, gseaman25, kcballboy, jimrad, leadoff4, weinhold, Mphilking, milbroco, msassin, meteoriteguy, rbeaton and gameusedhoop.
  • GDM67GDM67 Posts: 2,523 ✭✭✭✭
    The version I've always heard and read is that they spent so much on the '53 color set, it essentially bankrupted the company. I believe the b&w set was originally scheduled to be the second series of the color set but the cost proved prohibitive.
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,109 ✭✭✭
    Slabbed 53 Bowman Color appear nice in almost any grade.Mine is only a 3.27 grade but I still enjoy it.
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
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