Building 1953 Bowman Color Full Set

[jingram058]

Up to 36 cards now. It might not take the 2 years I planned for to get it done. I think I have the expensive, hard to get cards. Here are the cards I have acquired since my last post. Some are clearly in better shape than others. The Billy Pierce card is basically creased in two, but it is signed. This is more fun than I could ever have imagined! Who knew that throwing a few dollars around could be this enjoyable?

[Casey2296]

I have some raw 53 Bowman colors if you're interested in making a deal. Good luck building, it's one of my favorite sets.

[Tere1071]

Originally Posted by jingram058

Up to 36 cards now. It might not take the 2 years I planned for to get it done. I think I have the expensive, hard to get cards. Here are the cards I have acquired since my last post. Some are clearly in better shape than others. The Billy Pierce card is basically creased in two, but it is signed. This is more fun than I could ever have imagined! Who knew that throwing a few dollars around could be this enjoyable?

It's nice to see that you're having fun. The Drews that you acquired is difficult to find centered, so you did well there. I also have a number of 53 Bowman color extras for sale, if needed.

[jingram058]

I am noticing all kinds of imperfections in these cards as I move along...off centering, print lines, print blobs/pixels/spots, and blurriness. It isn't a thing with me, as I am not OCD or trying to build the world's greatest set here. But #44, the Berra-Bauer-Mantle I picked up, is so out of focus that, if it wasn't real, it looks like it was made on a child's printer. And it looks like all #44 cards are that way. How do you get something like that graded high? Bribe the grader? Still, beautiful cards.

[Tere1071]

It is possible to find cards that are "higher quality" but it will require patience and money. I am focused on having cards that have clear images, no creases or wrinkles with reasonable corners. I have decided to live with non-perfect centering and wax stains on the reverse. I find myself continually upgrading, spending additional money. I know I have to move on soon as I want to begin a 59 set and my 53 set is nice as it stands. Decide early the direction you was to take your set and enjoy.

[jingram058]

Casey and Tere, thanks for offering up your extras. I may very well be interested. I just got quite a few, and I am putting in a pool heater, so it might be a few weeks before I can wheel and deal, if that's okay.

[Tere1071]

I hate when real life interferes with my collecting!

[IndyDave]

This post had me go back and look at my #44

Not the greatest of photos and not sure how it compares to others you’ve seen

This was part of my first submission to PSA in 2014. I bought this card from one my dad’s friends in the early 80’s. Jake had collected the cards as a kid. I always thought the Mantle was the best conditioned card in the group I bought. It came back a 5 (my introduction to what diamond cuts do to a grade / value. Was surprised when this came back a 8. Had a few other cards grade 8 as well

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by jingram058

Casey and Tere, thanks for offering up your extras. I may very well be interested. I just got quite a few, and I am putting in a pool heater, so it might be a few weeks before I can wheel and deal, if that's okay.

No problem, shoot me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll send you some scans when you are ready.
Thank you,
Phil

[jayshum]

In case you haven't seen it, the current Clean Sweep Auction has a large number of 1953 Color Bowmans listed individually so you may want to take a look at it to help with your set.

[Tere1071]

Originally Posted by jingram058

I am noticing all kinds of imperfections in these cards as I move along...off centering, print lines, print blobs/pixels/spots, and blurriness. It isn't a thing with me, as I am not OCD or trying to build the world's greatest set here. But #44, the Berra-Bauer-Mantle I picked up, is so out of focus that, if it wasn't real, it looks like it was made on a child's printer. And it looks like all #44 cards are that way. How do you get something like that graded high? Bribe the grader? Still, beautiful cards.

Overall it is a beautiful set, but individually some of the photos are murky. The first one that comes to mind is the Surkont. For me it looks like the photo was taken through a glass of water being used as a filter! The Perkowski also comes out a bit muddled. Rodriguez, card #98, has too much shadow which obscures the facial details. There are several other issues which I'll leave for the moment to see if anyone else has opinions on any of the images.

I'm not bashing the set, I thoroughly enjoy mine, it has far more positives than negatives. There are perhaps 10-15 cards that were flawed in their photography or finish.