Collector John Lapertosa Shares His Passion
Chasing Bowman Black Autos
When John Lapertosa starts flipping through his Bowman Black autographs, you can tell—this isn’t just a collection. It’s a chase—a commitment.
“These mean something to me,” he says, holding up a silver-signed Aaron Judge from the early days. “These are very special.”
From 2012 to 2015, Bowman Black Autos weren’t your everyday inserts. They were dropped—almost stealthily—into various Bowman products, numbered to 25 (with ultra-rare parallels out of 10 and 5). And because they spanned the Bowman line—from Bowman Baseball to Chrome to Inception and more—tracking them all down is no easy feat. But for Lapertosa, the thrill is in the hunt.
Why Bowman Black? The cards are striking. Silver (or gold) ink signatures float on rich, matte-black stock. First-time autos from future stars—Bryce Harper, Carlos Correa, Mike Trout—shine like neon. But for John, it’s all about one name: Aaron Judge.
“I was fortunate enough to grab 6 out of the 25,” he says, holding one up like it’s a trophy—and for a Yankee fan, it kind of is. “These are literally some of his first autographs ever signed as a pro.” According to John, the Judge Bowman Black Autos were inserted in the same products as his first Bowman autos—meaning they’re not just rare, they’re rookie-rare.
Collectors know: this set flies under the radar. It doesn’t have the same spotlight as flagship Bowman Chrome autos, but those in the know, like John, recognize its quiet prestige. Beckett calls them “some of the sleekest prospect autographs of the era.” Cardboard Connection highlights their “distinct aesthetic and limited production,” noting how the consistent design created a mini-subculture within Bowman collecting.
“I would almost bet that every one of these players remembers signing these,” John says. “You really don’t sign cards that are all-black with a silver marker.”
That uniqueness is what keeps him chasing. That and the chance to collect a piece of baseball beginnings—before the hype, before the All-Star nods, and before the signatures got slicker and smaller.
Check out the full I Collect | John Lapertosa video below to see the Bowman Black cards up close—and maybe catch the collecting bug yourself.
