Auction #18 - October 2024
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/10/2024
The 1951 Bowman Red Menace set was issued during the height of the Communist scare and pictured images that were supposed to ensure that Communism was demonized. The backs have the phrase "Children's Crusaide Against Communism". This is the most iconic card from the set #23 and pictures a scene of New York City after an atom bomb had gone off. The card advocates working for peace through the United Nations.
This 48-card series is perhaps unique
among American non-sports cards for its paranoid and belligerent tone. Issued during the early
years of the cold war and a nascent hot war in Korea, it warns of the dangers and horrors of
communism, and the global threat it represents. The cards are large format, with bold color
images on the front, and prickly narrative on their backs. The series was issued with both grey
and tan backs; this set contains 44 of the tan cards and only 4 of the greys. Condition is generally
outstanding, about EX-MT overall. Many cards have a pack-fresh look. Thirteen of the cards have
been graded by PSA, with an average grade of 6.8, or NM-. #23, “Ghost City”, a key card, has
been graded EX 5, and is a lovely specimen. The #47 Mao card is a raw VG-EX. The tough #1
card is raw and has strong claims to a NM grade. You will likely not see a set of comparable
quality come on the market for a long time! All cards stored in Cardsaver 1 holders and mounted
in plastic pages in a looseleaf binder, for convenient viewing. Also included is the “extension set”
consisting of cards #49-#72, issued in 1981, all in NM-MT grade, plus six cards reprinted from the
original series. Stunning!
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