CGC Cards Grades Vintage 1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson Card

CGC Cards™ recently received another exciting vintage card submission of one of Major League Baseball's most legendary players: Jackie Robinson. The rare 1949 Bowman #50 Jackie Robinson card is one of the first two cards issued for the Hall of Fame second baseman's MLB career. This is the 11th graded example of this card in the CGC Cards Population Report, and it earned a grade of CGC 3.5. Cards in this grade are worth thousands of dollars.

1949 Bowman #50 Jackie Robinson graded CSG 3.5 Click images to enlarge.

The 1949 Bowman Baseball set is a 240-card series that included several rookie cards of future Hall of Famers. The set features rookie cards of MLB greats Duke Snider and Roy Campanella, but many collectors consider Satchel Paige and Jackie Robinson's cards from the set to be rookie issues as well.

The confusion stems from the mystery surrounding the 1948 Leaf Baseball set, which also included cards of both Robinson and Paige. However, there is a decades-long debate about when the actual 1948 Leaf set hit shelves, with many believing that the cards didn't release until 1949. Therefore, many collectors consider the 1949 Bowman issues to be a second official rookie card of Robinson and Paige. Regardless, they are each the most sought-after and valuable cards within the series.

The 1949 Bowman set featured colorful backgrounds and a black-and-white player image with team colors added to the player's jersey and ball cap. The cards were smaller than modern issues, measuring 2 1/16 x 2 1/2 inches, making them almost square in shape. The back of the cards each contained a short bio and player information, such as the player's team name, position, height, weight, birthplace and more. An advertisement for baseball-related mail offers is included at the bottom, like the "Official Baseball Ring" offered on the back of this particular Robinson card.

Making the first Bowman issue that much more special is the fact that the Dodgers icon truly broke out in his third season in 1949. He contributed right away upon his arrival in Brooklyn in 1947, earning Rookie of the Year honors. However, in 1949, Robinson took his game to another level. He increased his batting average from .296 to .342, stole 37 bases, was second in doubles and triples, had 124 RBIs and scored 122 runs. Robinson was rewarded for his stellar play with his first and only NL MVP Award. He also started at second base in the 1949 All-Star Game, which was the first time Black players ever participated in the mid-season honors event.

Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947 to 1956 and is one of the most revered players in MLB history. His impact on pro baseball and American society as a whole cannot be overstated. The California native broke the color barrier, as he became the first-ever Black player to play for a Major League Baseball club. Robinson faced inequality head on and persevered as he integrated the sport, opening doors for future generations to play in the MLB.

He went on to become a six-time All-Star and a 1955 World Series champion. As one of the greatest and most important players in league history, Robinson is also one of the most respected players to this day. That's why his famous No. 42 jersey number is retired across the league and each season, on Jackie Robinson Day, every player from every team wears No. 42. Robinson's on-field accomplishments also earned him a place on the Major League Baseball All-Century Team, and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.

Related Links: