Bowman 1st vs Topps RC

[JaxSportsHub]

Im sure this has been discussed before, but struggled in the searching. Which do you prefer to collect for rookie cards?
On one hand, Topps and MLB have certain rules and first in actual uniform.
On the other hand, Bowman 1st is usually only a few cards, rather than dozens.

So where do you stand?

[jplarson]

One of each, problem solved.

[JaxSportsHub]

Originally Posted by jplarson

One of each, problem solved.

You dont flock to one over the other first?

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

I used to be big into 1st Bowman’s, but my interest has faded, and now I mainly focus on a player’s first Flagship release. I still dabble with 1st Bowman’s, but barely.

[notoriousrmb]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

I used to be big into 1st Bowman’s, but my interest has faded, and now I mainly focus on a player’s first Flagship release. I still dabble with 1st Bowman’s, but barely.

^ this. I'm tired of paying top dollar for guys who may never have a ML at bat. I'd rather get the RC these days, knowing a player actually made it to the big leagues before I throw my money at it.

[StateEx]

I've moved to just finding the card I like the best. Sometimes it's the 1st, sometimes it's the flagship RC, and sometimes it's something odd like an Aqua Wave Chrome Splash Maxfractor.

[BigL7370]

I prefer Topps because it’s just the MLB rookie card at the most basic level.

The Bowman first usually comes with a better, signed version and corresponding parallels that dwarfs that first Bowman paper or chrome card.

[jhssketchcards]

I stopped looking for Bowman/Bowman Chrome 1sts when they took off Rookie Card”.


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[Bcr]

I would've said RCs many moons ago, but the Bowman 1st is my favorite now. Too many options for RCs have soured my taste.

[hermanotarjeta]

Bowman 1st, because it came out 1-7 years before the players RC.

[ThoseBackPages]

Love Rookie Cards and dabble in the Bowman inserts

[dream34]

It will be interesting to see how this eventually plays out.

I've always thought that Topps Flagship (Series 1, Series 2, Update - basically a player's BASE Topps Set) in particular will always stand the test of time because it's simple, easy, relatable and spans 8 decades now. It's very easy to line up a 1952 Willie Mays, 1974 Dave Winfield, 1983 Tony Gwynn, 1993 Derek Jeter & 2001 Albert Pujols with your newly acquired 2011 Mike Trout, 2018 Shohei Ohtani & 2023 Jordan Walker. They all have their unique designs too to give each their own uniqueness while still being a part of the same line.

The Bowman (and the 1st Bowman) is new to the equation with their format since 1991 in particular and it's expanded a bit since then to it's form now. It's currently more valuable and I do think it has a chance in the end to be on top. I think recent trends will point in this direction. That being said, Mantle & Mays had Bowman cards in MLB uniforms before their 1st Topps Flagship cards and there is clearly a winner and more desired card for both. There are unique circumstances with each - 1st Year ever for Topps & Bowman being undersized are obvious factors.

Only time will tell really. Each has an angle and it will be fun to see it play out over the years.

[Archangel1775]

The years are so spaced apart typically, you gotta go with one of each. Even the pictures can show a completely different player. Juan Soto is the greatest example. He looks like a 15 year old in his 1st.

[cardsin47]

A very basic overview:

~Bowman makes Prospect and Rookie Cards
~Topps makes Rookie Cards only
~ At this point in time, Prospect and Rookie cards both have equal demand - about 50/50 -ish ( with preferences for individual players, case by case )
~ I prefer Bowman for their Prospect Cards / Topps for their Rookie Cards
~ I buy these cards within Sealed Wax products / most collectors choose Singles ( either raw or graded - both are in demand )

[cspaced25]

Originally Posted by JaxSportsHub

Im sure this has been discussed before, but struggled in the searching. Which do you prefer to collect for rookie cards?
On one hand, Topps and MLB have certain rules and first in actual uniform.
On the other hand, Bowman 1st is usually only a few cards, rather than dozens.

So where do you stand?

Yes it has and there is no correct answer. Each have a group of collectors.

[jplarson]

Originally Posted by JaxSportsHub

You dont flock to one over the other first?

I only buy if it's a lot of 2 and it includes a Bowman 1st and Topps RC.

[OhioLawyerF5]

I get a 1st Bowman auto and a Topps Chrome auto of every single player I collect (and usually a few other base/parallel versions as well). Following the prospects of my team through the minors after I bought their 1st Bowman is so fun. And when they graduate to the majors and get a flagship rookie, buying that rookie is such a rewarding collecting experience after watching them develop in the minors.

[Twalk1975]

I am not a fan of Bowman card design. There are rare exceptions like the 2020 chrome cards, but flagship Topps is almost always the better looking card.

[msucollector4]

Originally Posted by dream34

It will be interesting to see how this eventually plays out.

I've always thought that Topps Flagship (Series 1, Series 2, Update - basically a player's BASE Topps Set) in particular will always stand the test of time because it's simple, easy, relatable and spans 8 decades now. It's very easy to line up a 1952 Willie Mays, 1974 Dave Winfield, 1983 Tony Gwynn, 1993 Derek Jeter & 2001 Albert Pujols with your newly acquired 2011 Mike Trout, 2018 Shohei Ohtani & 2023 Jordan Walker. They all have their unique designs too to give each their own uniqueness while still being a part of the same line.

The Bowman (and the 1st Bowman) is new to the equation with their format since 1991 in particular and it's expanded a bit since then to it's form now. It's currently more valuable and I do think it has a chance in the end to be on top. I think recent trends will point in this direction. That being said, Mantle & Mays had Bowman cards in MLB uniforms before their 1st Topps Flagship cards and there is clearly a winner and more desired card for both. There are unique circumstances with each - 1st Year ever for Topps & Bowman being undersized are obvious factors.

Only time will tell really. Each has an angle and it will be fun to see it play out over the years.

I agree, gonna really be determined in the next 15+ years when some of the guys with bowman 1sts get start getting into the HOF. whichever "rookie" is more popular will give us our answer.

[hermanotarjeta]

RC card collectors need to be told what to collect.

Bowman first collectors tell the world who to collect.

[Archangel1775]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

RC card collectors need to be told what to collect.

Bowman first collectors tell the world who to collect.

But what do 2021 Bowman Heritage collectors do?

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by Archangel1775

But what do 2021 Bowman Heritage collectors do?

They, along with 2021 bowman best collectors, cry as loud as they can to try to convince you what you should collect, but no one listens.

[Merkle14]

Just go and try to figure out what Julio rookie to buy... It's very difficult. Bowman 1st will always be king at least in my life I believe.

[Drew3000]

Honestly, don’t care about either. I don’t like pre-debut year cards so bowman 1sts usually don’t interest me. But take Elly for example, I’ll pick his 2023 stuff up because this is his debut year but I don’t really care if it’s a rookie card or not

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

RC card collectors need to be told what to collect.

Bowman first collectors tell the world who to collect.

You don’t actually believe something that dumb. C’mon now.

I don’t need anyone to tell me to spend waaaaaay too much money buying Eury Perez cards once ‘23 Update comes out.