Bowman

From BR Bullpen

Bowman revived Baseball Cards turning the old tobacco cards from the early part of the century into the bubble gum cards that would last the rest of the century. In 1948, Bowman put out a 48 card set in black and white, with one piece of gum and one card in each 1 cent pack. In 1949, Bowman issued a 240 card color set. Bowman also issued a 36 card Pacific Coast League set. In 1950 Bowman had one year monopoly on baseball cards (Leaf produced cards 1948-1949, Topps started in 1951). Topps and Bowman competed for rights to players for their respective sets until 1955, even including court battles. In January 1956, Topps bought out Bowman, leaving a monopoly for Topps until Donruss and Fleer came along in 1981. Topps revived the Bowman name in 1989.