Lot # 2759: 1948 Bowman Football Near-Complete Set (99/108)

Offered is a near-complete set of 98 different cards (out of 108) from the 1948 Bowman series, the first football-card set issued by Bowman Gum. This significant set is highlighted by key rookie cards of many stars and Hall of Famers. Missing the following nine cards for completion: #3 Lujack, 12 Conerly, 15, 22 Baugh, 26 Waterfield, 30, 51, 72, and 99 Gilmer. Condition is 11% Ex-Mt to Nr/Mt (including two Nr/Mt-Mt), 54% Vg-Ex to Ex, 19% Gd to Vg, and 16% lesser (mostly due to partially erased pencil marks on the reverse and including one trimmed). Six cards are graded and encapsulated by PSA. Keys: #1 Tereshinski RC (Gd), 7 Van Buren RC (Ex), 17 Trippi RC (1/99 T/B, otherwise Vg-Ex), 29 (EX-MT 6), 36 Turner RC (Ex+), 48 (NM 7), 58 (NM-MT 8), 61 Wojciechowicz RC (EX-MT+ 6.5), 63 Pihos RC (EX+ 5.5), 70 (NM-MT 8), 80 Dudley RC (Fr-Gd), 82 Cannady (signed, otherwise Ex+), 107 Luckman RC (Vg-Ex+), and 108 Ray RC (Vg+). Its football cards never caught on quite like its baseball cards, but Bowman's commitment to the line was unwavering. Bowman continued to issue ever more elaborately designed football sets until its doors closed in 1955. This set will always be the first football venture, and while the 1952 Bowman Large issue has always received the most attention from collectors, many feel that the 1948 Bowman set is actually the rarer of the two. Total: 98 cards.