The 1951 Bowman set is possibly second only to the 1952 Topps issue for the most important and widely-collected issue of the 1950s. In addition to the rookie cards of both Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays, the issue includes the rookie cards of Whitey Ford, Nellie Fox and Monte Irvin, as well as cards of important Hall of Famers Yogi Berra, Roy Campanella, Duke Snider, Pee Wee Reese, Phil Rizzuto and Ted Williams.  Presented here is a near-complete set, missing just the cards of Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays (examples of which can be found elsewhere in the auction as individual lots).  The set itself is strong, an exceptional collector-grade set carefully assembled with cards that predominantly present well for the technical grade.  A condition breakdown of the set is approximately 3% EX or better, 18% VG/EX, 43% VG, $26% GOOD, 9% FAIR and a few lesser.  A breakdown of the key cards would be as follows: #1 Ford (G), #2 Berra (G), #3 Roberts (VG), #7 Hodges (G), #26 Rizzuto (G), #30 Feller (G), #31 Campanella (G), #32 Snider (VG), #46 Kell (VG/EX), #50 Mize (VG), #53 Lemon (VG), #58 Slaughter (VG), #62 Boudreau (VG/EX), #78 Wynn (VG), #80 Reese (VG/EX), #134 Spahn (G), #151 Doby (F), #165 Williams (G), #181 Stengel (VG), #186 Ashburn (VG/EX), #198 Irvin (F), #232 Fox (VG), #233 Durocher (VG/EX), #282 Frisch (F - Miscut), #290 Dickey (F), #295 Lopez (VG).  An outstanding example of a highly-desirable set, missing just two cards for completion, each available elsewhere in this auction.  322 cards total.