Stan Musial Rookie Cards: Values, Checklist & Guide

Best Stan Musial Rookie Cards

Bowman Rookie Card

1948 · Bowman · #36

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Leaf Rookie Card

1948 · Leaf · #4

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Bowman Second Year

1949 · Bowman · #24

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Values & Trends

Stan Musial’s rookie card market is dominated by two iconic post-war sets: 1948 Bowman and 1948-49 Leaf. The 1948 Bowman #36 is widely considered his mainstream rookie card, offering a classic black-and-white portrait. The 1948 Leaf #4 adds vibrant color but is plagued by registration issues and print defects, making high-grade copies exceptionally rare and valuable.

The Bowman vs. Leaf split: 1948 Bowman is the more accessible and liquid "true" rookie. 1948 Leaf is scarcer, often more expensive in comparable grades, and prized for its bold aesthetic.
Condition sensitivity: High-grade examples (PSA 8+) of either card are investment-grade assets that command five-figure prices. Mid-grade copies (PSA 4-6) remain the sweet spot for serious collectors.
Steady vintage growth: As one of baseball's greatest hitters, Musial's cards have shown consistent long-term stability, less prone to the volatility of modern prospect cards.

Buying Guide: How to Pick Stan Musial Rookie Cards

1948 Bowman #36 (The Standard): Look for good centering and sharp corners. The black-and-white image can hide surface wear, so inspect the card surface under light for wrinkles or paper loss. This is the most recognized Musial rookie.
1948 Leaf #4 (The Color Alternative): Watch for "registration" issues where the colors don't align with the image outlines. A well-registered Leaf Musial is a holy grail for vintage collectors.
Watch for Reprints: The 1948 Bowman was reprinted in 1978 (marked "Reprinted 1978" on back) and other unauthorized versions exist. Always buy graded copies or from reputable dealers to ensure authenticity.
Centering matters: Both 1948 sets are notorious for poor centering. A centered copy, even with softer corners, will often have better eye appeal and liquidity than a sharp but miscut card.
Grading is key: For vintage cards of this magnitude, professional grading (SGC, PSA, BVG) is essential to verify authenticity and confirm that no alterations (trimming, recoloring) have occurred.

Full Rookie Card Checklist

Card	Year	#	Details	90d Avg RAW	90d Avg PSA 1	90d Avg PSA 2	90d Avg PSA 3	90d Avg PSA 4	90d Avg PSA 5	90d Avg PSA 6	90d Avg PSA 7	90d Avg PSA 8	90d Avg SGC 1	90d Avg SGC 2	90d Avg SGC 3	90d Avg SGC 4	90d Avg SGC 5	90d Avg SGC 6	90d Avg SGC 7	90d Avg SGC 8	eBay
Bowman Rookie Card Stan Musial · Bowman	1948	36	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	eBay
Leaf Rookie Card Stan Musial · Leaf	1948	4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	eBay
Bowman Second Year Stan Musial · Bowman	1949	24	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	eBay

True RC vs. Second-Year Options

The 1948 Bowman #36 is indisputably a True Rookie Card. The 1948-49 Leaf #4 is also accepted as a rookie, though some debate its release timeline. Beyond these two, collectors often look to the 1949 Bowman #24 as a more affordable early-career alternative, featuring a colored version of a similar portrait. While not a rookie, it is a key card in any Musial collection.

Best Boxes & Sets to Pull Stan Musial Rookie Cards

Grading & Population

Population reports for Stan Musial rookies reflect the scarcity of the era. High grades are incredibly rare.

PSA vs. SGC: SGC is very popular among vintage collectors and their "tuxedo" holders look great with the 1948 Bowman. PSA commands a premium at the highest grades.
Population rarity: There are very few PSA 9 or 10 examples of either rookie card. Most collectors aim for the PSA 3 to PSA 6 range, which offers a balance of eye appeal and price.
For more on vintage grading, check our grading guide .

About Stan Musial

Stan "The Man" Musial played his entire 22-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals. A 24-time All-Star, 3-time World Series champion, and 3-time MVP, he retired with 3,630 hits—split evenly between home (1,815) and road (1,815). His consistent excellence and gentlemanly demeanor make him one of the most respected figures in baseball history and a pillar of vintage card collecting.

Resources & Related Guides

FAQ

What is Stan Musial’s true rookie card?

Stan Musial has two recognized rookie cards: the 1948 Bowman #36 and the 1948-49 Leaf #4. The Bowman is generally considered the primary, mainstream rookie card, while the Leaf is a more colorful, scarcer alternative.

Why is the 1948 Leaf Stan Musial so expensive?

The 1948 Leaf Musial is much rarer than the Bowman version and is notoriously difficult to find in high grade due to poor paper quality and frequent print defects. This scarcity drives high prices for well-centered, clean copies.

How much is a Stan Musial rookie card worth?

A low-grade (PSA 1-2) 1948 Bowman can sell for $500–$1,000. Mid-grade copies (PSA 4-5) often range from $1,500 to $3,000. High-grade examples (PSA 8) are extremely rare and can fetch over $20,000.

Did Stan Musial have cards before 1948?

Because of World War II paper shortages and a halt in card production, Musial (who debuted in 1941) did not have a major trading card until 1948. There are some oddball issues like the 1947 Bond Bread, but 1948 Bowman and Leaf are his first mainstream cards.