Bowman Gum

Bowman Gum was a Philadelphia-based manufacturer of bubble gum and trading cards. The company was founded in 1927 by Jacob Warren Bowman. Bowman Gum is best known for its production of sports trading cards, particularly baseball cards, during the late 1940s and early 1950s.

History

Bowman Gum was established in 1927 and initially focused on producing bubble gum. The company entered the trading card market in 1948, producing its first set of baseball cards. These cards quickly gained popularity among collectors and sports enthusiasts.

In 1951, Bowman Gum released its first full-color baseball card set, which featured 324 cards. This set is considered one of the most iconic in the history of baseball card collecting. The company continued to produce baseball cards until 1955, when it was acquired by Topps.

Products

Bowman Gum produced a variety of trading cards, including:

• Baseball cards
• Football cards
• Basketball cards
• Non-sport trading cards

The company's baseball cards are particularly notable for their design and the inclusion of many future Hall of Fame players.

Acquisition by Topps

In 1956, Bowman Gum was acquired by Topps, a leading producer of trading cards. Following the acquisition, Topps continued to use the Bowman brand for several years before eventually phasing it out. In the late 1980s, Topps revived the Bowman brand, and it remains a popular line of trading cards to this day.

Legacy

Bowman Gum is remembered for its significant contributions to the trading card industry. The company's innovative designs and high-quality products helped to establish the trading card market as a popular hobby. Many of Bowman's original cards are now highly sought after by collectors.

Related Pages

• Topps
• Baseball card
• Trading card
• Bubble gum
• Hall of Fame