48 Leaf v. 48 Bowman

[LuckyLarry]

I've been chipping away at the 48 Bowman set for at least ten years, and still need 37 cards for my set. I like the fact that real photos are used!
Larry

[jefferyepayne]

Great analysis, John! I love your thought process.

I have put together both sets and the Leaf set is WAY more difficult to complete. There are a few SP's that are simply a bear to find in any condition and you will pay more than book value for them. Also some of the stars (Bednarik and Nomelini for example) are SP's and very expensive.

Note that the Leaf cards are often a bit oversized. This has led to many trimmed cards showing up in the hobby and mistakenly being given a number grade by PSA / SGC. Be very careful when buying Leafs as there are a lot of trimmed cards floating around out there.

In terms of look, I like them both for different reasons! I applaud Leaf for taking a stab at color even if the photos look like they were painted by a four year old. But I also like the classy, simple design of the 48 bowman set. Particularly when well centered! Most of mine are raw but this is one I saw in an auction and had to have.



jeff

[TanksAndSpartans]

Thanks Larry - 1 vote for Bowman

Jeff - thanks for the compliment - I was a lurker for a long time enjoying other people's posts, so I try to pay it forward now.. I laughed when you said "painted by a four year old" - they are definitely an acquired taste - they used to look so strange to me, I guess I'm used to them now.

I'm leaning towards the Leaf set even though I really want to like the Bowman and go against the grain a bit. I hope not too many graded Leafs are trimmed. Really interesting about them being oversized. And thanks for adding a picture to the thread - can you balance it out with a Leaf scan?

One last thing I forgot to mention - the 48 Bowman Baseball cards are black and white too, but the Basketball cards are actually color - isn't that strange? I wonder if it would've put a dent in Leaf's popularity had Football been color too...

[jefferyepayne]

Sure. Here's one of the tough SPs.



jeff

[Myachelydra]

John,

I have always been a fan of the Bowman set based on its simplicity of design. For what they lack in pizzaz they make up with the information on the reverse...just more substance than Leaf.

I have put together sets or provided singles for a number of customers; there are definitely more Leaf collectors from my experience than Bowman.

[TanksAndSpartans]

Jeff, thanks for the scan.

John, thanks for jumping in. Not surprised to hear Leaf is more popular. Funny you mention the reverse - I really enjoy reading those too and while I do agree with you overall - there was one thing I liked about the Leaf write ups. The Trippi and Angsman cards actually mention the 47 title game. I'm sure the hype was nowhere near the modern day SB, but I thought it was kind of cool that Leaf felt it was important enough to mention.

[TanksAndSpartans]

If I take a shot at 48 Leaf, I think I better go low grade - http://www.milehighcardco.com/Exceed...-LOT35469.aspx

Final Price = $176,298.93

It wouldn't be fun to me not to collect it gradually anyway