1953 Bowman B & W

The 1953 Bowman Black & White series held 64 issues and were published in addition to the separate Bowman Color series that held 160 cards. Each piece measures 2-1/2" by 3-3/4” and are similar in design to their 1953 Bowman Color cousins, with the same attractive photographic images … though presented in black-and-white. Although less than half as many ballplayers were included in the company's less flamboyant version, the Black-and-White series covered a different group of athletes. Future Hall of Famer highlights include Johnny Mize (#15), Bob Lemon (#27), Hoyt Wilhem (#28) and Casey Stengel (#39). Card #1, Gus Bell, is among the scarcer pieces as it often fell victim to rubber-banding and other mishaps as the top card. Collectors have little concern about obscure print variations or troublesome rarities, with the closest contenders being card #34 - noteworthy for its typographical “Ebba St. Clair” error; and card #43, Hal Bevan, printed with his correct 1930 birth year (#43b) and a humorously incorrect 1950 birth year (#43a).