Bond Bread issued three baseball card sets in the 1940s and 1950s. Over a three-part series, we’ll be taking a look at each one. The first issue is the company’s 1947 set of 48 cards, which primarily featured top baseball players in the era immediately after World War II.
Here’s a closer look at that popular set, which includes rookie cards of Jackie Robinson and Yogi Berra.
Inside the 1947 Bond Bread Set
Categorized as D305 in Jefferson Burdick’s American Card Catalog, the 1947 Bond Bread set was one of the first mainstream baseball card sets to emerge after World War II. Technically, the set is a not a pre-war issue. But it also was released just before 1948, which is really viewed as the start of the modern era with several sets kicking off a new era of trading cards.
Because there were few sets issued from 1945 through 1947, the Bond Bread set has always gotten a lot of attention from collectors. But it’s not just the time period that makes this set a special one. The release is dotted with plenty of big names, including the rookie cards of Hall of Famers Jackie Robinson and Yogi Berra. There’s also an early card of the legendary Stan Musial, which some collectors consider to be a rookie issue. Add in the usual collection of 1940s stars and you’ve got a pretty iconic release.
‘Iconic’ isn’t really a word used to describe the set much, even if the label might technically apply. But because the set was a bread card issue and not a more popular gum card set, it gets shortchanged just a bit — even if it has the respect of collectors.
These cards have a fairly basic look with black and white images and replica signatures (names written in a cursive style font). The cards measure approximately 2 1/4″ wide by 3 1/2″, making them similar in size to today’s standard 2 1/2″ by 3 1/2″ cards. Other than the players’ names, the cards include no other print as they carry blank backs.
One thing that collectors may not realize is that the set can be viewed as a multi-sport issue. Baseball, of course, is the predominant sport featured. But in addition to the 44 baseball players presented in the release, the set also includes four boxers, led by the iconic Joe Louis. The boxers could be viewed by some as a separate release entirely. But their cards utilized the same exact design as the baseball players and are probably best lumped together with the baseball subjects. Assuming you put the boxers in this set, the checklist expands to a total of 48 cards.
Finally, collectors should note that while many cards have rounded corners or a stop sign shape cut, a second version of the cards exists with solely square corners. The square corner cards are believed to be equally authentic but are not held in the same regard as the others. Both the cards for the baseball players and the boxers can be found with both of those variations.
1947 Bond Bread Checklist
The 1947 Bond Bread checklist is full of big names. The gem is the rookie card of Jackie Robinson but the set includes a host of other stars as well, including Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Yogi Berra, Bob Feller, Johnny Mize, and others. Four boxers, include Joe Louis, Primo Carnera, Jake LaMotta, and Marcel Cerdan.
Here’s a look at the checklist.
- Rex Barney
- Yogi Berra
- Ewell Blackwell
- Lou Boudreau
- Ralph Branca
- Harry Brecheen
- Primo Carnera
- Marcel Cerdan
- Dom DiMaggio
- Joe DiMaggio
- Bobby Doerr
- Bruce Edwards
- Bob Elliott
- Del Ennis
- Bob Feller
- Carl Furillo
- Joe Gordon
- Sid Gordon
- Joe Hatten
- Gil Hodges
- Tommy Holmes
- Larry Jansen
- Sheldon Jones
- Eddie Joost
- Charlie Keller
- Ken Keltner
- Buddy Kerr
- Ralph Kiner
- Jake LaMotta
- Johnny Lindell
- Whitey Lockman
- Joe Louis
- Willard Marshall
- Johnny Mize
- Stan Musial
- Andy Pafko
- Johnny Pesky
- Pee Wee Reese
- Phil Rizzuto
- Aaron Robinson
- Jackie Robinson
- Johnny Sain
- Enos Slaughter
- Vern Stephens
- George Tebbetts
- Bobby Thomson
- Johnny Vander Meer
- Ted Williams
Rarity/Pricing
In terms of rarity, the cards are not too difficult to find these days. eBay typically has many of the cards available for sale at any given time. However, they are not abundant and building a set within strict price restraints can be challenging. However, despite being nearly 75 years old, the 1947 Bond Bread cards are relatively affordable. Typically, the square corner version of the cards are the less expensive.
Prices for Robinson’s rookie can fluctuate greatly. And due to forgeries out there, collectors should be careful to scrutinize any potential purchases. Authentic Robinson cards in decent condition generally start in the $700-$800 range, though lower-grade examples can be had for a bit less. An SGC 5.5 recently sold at auction for just over $1,200 on eBay.
Robinson was also featured in a set during his debut season that was devoted exclusively to him. Part II of our series will look at that issue.
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