Jackie Robinson Rookie Card by Leaf Gum Co, Chicago, IL
1948-1949 / Commercial chromolithograph / 2 7/8”x2 3/8” / Various collections, incl. The Met
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“Baseball Cards in the Jefferson R. Burdick Collection”~ https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/ball/hd_ball.htm
In 1948 Bowman Gum, the descendant of the makers of the Play Ball cards, issued its first baseball issue. While not terribly good looking, these small black-and-white cards started the baseball card industry as we now know it. Bowman sold their cards with a stick of bubble gum. In the successive years, Bowman’s cards become more and more attractive. Their 1951 issue is extremely attractive and includes the Rookie Cards (first year cards) of baseball greats, Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays. In 1948-1949 Leaf produced a set that is popular today. These Leafs are quite ugly, but includes many ‘short prints’ (cards rarer than the other cards in the issue). http://www.cycleback.com/1800s/briefhistory.htm
The Misty Miss Christy 