1951 Bowman

1951 · Bowman Gum, Inc. (Philadelphia, PA)

Bowman's 324-card 1951 set, its first with original color art. Loaded with rookies — Whitey Ford (#1), Mickey Mantle (#253), and Willie Mays (#305).

Key Facts

Release: 1951
Manufacturer: Bowman Gum, Inc. (Philadelphia, PA)
Distribution: One card plus gum per pack, sold during the 1951 season
Card stock: Original color art reproduced on cardstock, 2¹⁄₁₆″ × 3⅛″ — larger than Bowman’s 1948–50 issues
Series: Issued in series across the season; high numbers (#253–324) are scarcer
Total cards: 324

Mickey Mantle (#253)
Mantle’s true rookie card and a high-number short print — one of the most valuable post-war cards in the hobby.
Willie Mays (#305)
Say Hey Kid’s rookie card, also a scarce high number.
Whitey Ford (#1)
Ford’s rookie card and the set’s condition-sensitive #1.
Yogi Berra (#2)
Berra early in his three-MVP run.
Roy Campanella (#31)
Dodgers Hall of Fame catcher and three-time MVP.
Duke Snider (#32)
The Silver Fox in his Ebbets Field prime.
Pee Wee Reese (#80)
Captain of the Boys of Summer.
Gil Hodges (#7)
Beloved Dodgers slugger and future Miracle Mets manager.
Bob Feller (#30)
Rapid Robert in his post-military prime.
Robin Roberts (#3)
Whiz Kids ace and Hall of Famer.
Warren Spahn (#134)
Winningest lefty in history, in his Boston years.
Phil Rizzuto (#26)
Reigning AL MVP at the time of issue.