Bowman Baseball Cards

A Brief History of the Bowman Brand

Bowman baseball cards boast a rich and captivating history that spans many decades. Introduced in 1948 by the Philadelphia-based Bowman Gum Company, this brand made a remarkable debut in the baseball card market.

Firstly, the very first set of Bowman cards served as the company’s entrance into the baseball card market. Notably, these cards featured captivating black-and-white photographs of players. As time progressed, Bowman cards gained substantial popularity. They became highly sought after due to their exceptional printing quality and appealing designs. Additionally, during the competitive landscape of the 1950s, Bowman encountered strong rivalry from Topps. This ultimately led to their merger in 1956.

Despite experiencing a temporary cessation in baseball card production, Bowman made a remarkable comeback in 1989. This highly anticipated return presented an enticing new set, prominently showcasing rookie cards of renowned players such as Ken Griffey Jr. and Randy Johnson. Since that pivotal moment, Bowman has firmly established itself as a brand celebrated for its emphasis on prospect cards. Consequently, it has solidified its position as the foremost choice for collectors who are fervently interested in Major League Baseball prospects.

We’ve built guides for the major Bowman releases of recent years which are listed below.

2020 Releases

2021 Releases

2022 Releases

2023 Releases

Other Bowman Resources

Think we’re missing something or want to request a guide that we don’t have listed? Please submit your request on our Corrections & Contributing page then head over to Beckett, where you might find what you’re looking for.