While Goudey dominated the baseball card landscape in the 1930s, a new competitor emerged at the end of the decade. Gum, Inc. produced its popular pre-war gum cards from 1939 through 1941. While their run was brief, the cards were extremely important as they were one of the few baseball card sets being produced during World War II. The 1939 set was also significant because, … [Read more...]
Collins-McCarthy Ruth Paces $8.4 Million REA Sale
The highest graded example of the rare 1917 Collins-McCarthy Babe Ruth card sold for $204,000 late Sunday night as Robert Edward Auctions closed out its third and final catalog sale of 2019. The card was graded 4.5 (VG-EX+) by PSA and stands as the highest graded example on that company's census. Never available in set form, the Collins-McCarthy cards were … [Read more...]
Baseball Card Bargains from the 1930s Gum Card Era
The 1930s gum cards represent good bargains for collectors. Some cards, like Babe Ruth's 1933 Goudey issues, aren't exactly affordable for many. But the decade holds plenty of other opportunities for solid buys. Here are some bargains that can be found from the early days of the gum card. Hank Greenberg 1936 Goudey Greenberg's cards, in general, are good bargains, in my … [Read more...]
Top Willie Mays Collection Brings $1.2 Million in Memory Lane Auction
Ranked as the best on the PSA Set Registry for 15 years, a comprehensive collection of rare and high-grade Willie Mays baseball cards sold for a combined $1.2 million in Memory Lane’s Spring catalog auction early Sunday morning. The 282-card collection included more than 92% of all known Mays cards, with a weighted GPA of 8.07. The highest selling card in … [Read more...]
5 Fast Facts About the 1939 Play Ball Set
The 1939 Play Ball set is one of the more popular pre-war issues. It came after the craze of tobacco cards and was a contrast to the mostly colorful Goudeys issues of the 1930s. Here are five quick facts about this unique gum card release. 1. It Includes Ted Williams' Rookie Card The Ted Williams rookie card is one of the most iconic pre-war issues. At a minimum, it's one … [Read more...]
Best Sets for New Pre-War Collectors
Getting started collecting pre-war cards isn't typically as challenging as many people think. While there are a lot of expensive issues, some sets are reasonably affordable, particularly in the lower grades. Here are some sets to consider for collectors just getting started with pre-war issues. 1936 Goudey This one is always at the top of my list when making set … [Read more...]
5 Bargains in the 1939 Play Ball Set
The 1939 Play Ball set is one of the more popular pre-war issues. It features real black and white images of players, which some collectors feel are more appealing than color art lithographs. While the set has a few expensive cards, including those of Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio, a few bargains can be found inside of it as well. Here are five that offer a solid bang for your … [Read more...]
Hank Greenberg Cards on Anniversary of 184 RBI Season
Eighty years ago this Sunday, Hank Greenberg drove in his first three runs of the season for the Detroit Tigers. His total at the end of the season: 184. Total of Hank Greenberg baseball cards issued in the United States in 1937: Zero. Such was often the life of a card collector in the pre-World War II era. While Greenberg's greatest season … [Read more...]
Vintage Set Break of the Week: 1939 Play Ball
1939 Play Ball was Gum Inc’s leap into the baseball card market with black-and-white photos of contemporary baseball players. The issue was very popular, and it remains so today, largely due to the rookie cards of Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams. The back of the cards features each player’s full name, a biographical write up, and an advertisement for the issue which states … [Read more...]
Opening Day Record-Setters and Their Rookie Cards
The long wait ended Sunday and baseball’s multi-day Opening Day festival continues Monday with 12 games on the docket. Some players just seem to perform better during the first game of the season. We thought we'd take a look at a few Opening Day records and the rookie cards of the players responsible for setting them. Most Opening Day Starts Tom Seaver’s big league … [Read more...]