1949 Bowman Baseball Card Set Overview

Card Specs: 2.06" x 2.5”  |  240 cards  |  Color  |  Classification: Postwar/Vintage

The 1949 Bowman baseball set built upon the momentum of the gum company's 1948 release, boasting substantial star power and upgraded card quality and design. Most notably, the 1949 Bowman set featured color images, an enhancement from the simple black & white photography of the previous year. This improvement helped Bowman keep pace with the 1948-49 Leaf set, and superior distribution and printing consistency helped them reestablish as the dominant card producer in the early postwar renaissance.

The 1949 Bowman set is known for being among the earliest to represent African-American players, such as Roy Campanella (#84) and Satchel Paige (#224), in addition to the consensus key card in the set, Jackie Robinson (#50). Rounding out the star-studded checklist are rookie cards for Duke Snider (#226), Richie Ashburn (#214), Early Wynn (#110), Bob Lemon (#238), Gil Hodges (#100). Hall of Famers Stan Musial (#24), and Yogi Berra (#60) are also highly desirable among collectors.

1949 Bowman Roy Campanella, Duke Snider, and Richie Ashburn

1949 Bowman Card Design and Variations

Each card measures 2 1/16” × 2 ½” and showcases a mix of vivid and subdued color palettes. Four primary name and printing types distinguish the 1949 Bowman release: cards with no name on front (NNOF), name on front (NOF), printed name on back (PR), and script name on back (SCR).  This cards' reverse includes the card number, player name and profile, as well as a short bio. The bottom half promotes a redemption opportunity for an "official baseball ring" that could be exchanged for 15 cents and 3 pack wrappers via mail-in redemption.

1949 Bowman Early Wynn - front and back

Early series cards (#1–108) generally lack names on the front, while the later series introduced variations with printed or scripted identifiers. Additional variations include gray or white back stock, double-printed reverses, and the occasional gray or slate color misprint. These discrepancies have made the set one of the most variation-heavy releases of the postwar era.

1949 Bowman Card Distribution

Perhaps, the most significant impact of the 1949 Bowman set was its distribution model. Like the previous year, cards rode along with packs of gum, but in 1949 they were released in multiple series over time, keeping customers engaged while helping to manage production costs and inventory. This became the blueprint for Bowman, and its eventual competitors, fueling the hobby's rise in the 1950s.

1949 Satchel Paige, Stan Musial, and Yogi Berra

How Much are 1949 Bowman Cards Worth?

High-grade 1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson examples commonly range from $50,000 - $150,000 at auction, with a huge premium on the best in existence, as evidenced by the PSA 9 example that went for $348,000 in the REA 2023 Spring Auction. Values fall to $10,000 to 25,000 in mid-grade, and bottom out around $2,000 in poor condition. The best Satchel Paige examples command close to six-figures in elite condition, while falling to around $10,000 in mid-grade. Campanella, Snider, and other stars can approach mid five figures in elite condition, and fall to low four-figures in middling shape. Raw or low-grade common cards can be acquired for less than $50.

Recent 1949 Bowman Baseball Card Auction Sales

1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson PSA 8.5 - $156,000 - 2025 Summer Auction

1949 Bowman Roy Campanella PSA 9 - $39,600 - 2025 Summer Auction

1949 Bowman Satchel Paige SGC 8 - $26,400 - 2025 Spring Auction

1949 Bowman Graded Near Complete Set - $18,600 - 2025 Spring Auction

TO FIND MORE RECENT 1949 BOWMAN BASEBALL CARD SALES, SEARCH "1949 BOWMAN" IN OUR AUCTION ARCHIVE.

How to Sell 1949 Bowman Baseball Cards

Vintage baseball cards are our specialty, and our audience for 1949 Bowman baseball cards is robust. Work with us to sell single graded cards, near complete sets, and we can help with grading and authentication of raw examples. If you'd like to maximize the return on your cards, reach out today to connect with a specialist for a free consultation.