It was the first mainstream baseball card set packaged with bubble gum, pioneering what would eventually become an American obsession. The 1933 Goudey set utilized dramatic color to present baseball as it was 83 years ago.
Even if you can’t afford a complete set, Burls Sports is offering collectors the chance to take home one of the dozens of Hall of Famers–including Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. A low to mid-grade ’33 Goudey set is being offered as their Vintage Set Break of the Week.
It likely would have maintained its popularity even with just one card of the mega-popular Yankee stars, but Goudey packed its first major set with four different Ruths and a pair of Gehrigs.
There are 239 cards in the standard set, numbered to 240 (if you’re unaware, #106 Nap Lajoie wasn’t issued in packs and is considerably more scarce than the other 239 cards).
The set is about 42% Poor to Fair, 43% Good, 15% VG/VG-EX or
better. The Ruth and Gehrig cards are all graded and authenticated at the lower level.
The price for one of the 239 slots in the break is $60 and will go on sale Friday, August 26.
If you haven’t participated in a group break, each card in the break is sold at a fixed price, but you don’t pick the card beforehand. When all spots are sold, the cards are distributed randomly to the participants. Some will get the key cards for a fraction of their value, while others take home vintage commons for set building or trade bait. In order to ensure transparency, the randomization is broadcast live online for all participants to view.
The company is breaking a large run of vintage sets, including a complete run of Topps sets from 1952-72, Goudey sets from 1933-36, 1939-1
941 Play Ball and 1941 Double Play. For the rest of this year, the breaks will be working their way back through the ‘50s Topps issues.
To purchase spots in the break or to find out more, you can access the break page here. A free slot is given away in every break. You can visit Burl’s Sports Facebook page for details.
For dates for upcoming breaks, check out this link.
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