The 1933 Goudey baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable sets in the history of sports card collecting. Produced by the Goudey Gum Company, the 1933 set marked one of the early forays into mass-producing trading cards as promotional inserts in chewing gum and candy packs. While rather crudely produced by today’s standards, these early baseball cards opened up the hobby to thousands of new collectors and sparked a decades-long fascination with collecting that still thrives today. Within the wider world of vintage sports cards, 1933 Goudey cards are consistently among the most prized, valuable, and sought after by collectors. This is due to several key factors such as their rarity, historical significance, and featuring some of baseball’s greatest legends from the deadball and live ball eras. Here are some details on the most expensive 1933 Goudey baseball cards that have sold at auction over the past decade.
Babe Ruth – The iconic “Bambino” dominates the top of the 1933 Goudey food chain in terms of rarity and value. An image of the legendary slugger wielding his signature bat during his Boston days, the Babe Ruth is the crown jewel of the set and one of the most valuable vintage cards in collecting. In 2016, a PSA-graded example fetched $5.2 million at auction, setting a new record. Another PSA 8 copy sold in 2016 for $4.4 million. In 2020, a PSA 5 version broke the $2 million barrier. The extreme rarity and universal fame of Babe Ruth, combined with his unmatched performance on the baseball field, have cemented this as the undisputed blue-chip card of the 1933 set.
Lou Gehrig – As Ruth’s durable and prolific Yankee teammate during their record-setting tenure, a Lou Gehrig card from 1933 commands top dollar as well. Less scarce than the Babe Ruth but still quite rare in high grades. In 2016 a PSA 8 Gehrig sold for $461,000. A PSA 9 example smashed expectations in 2020 selling for $719,200, a record for the card. Gehrig’s image and batting stance resonate with collectors, and he remains nearly as iconic as Ruth nearly a century after their glory days in New York.
Jimmie Foxx – One of the premier power hitters of the 1930s and an American League MVP, Foxx cards from 1933 hold tremendous value as well. In 2016 a PSA 8 Foxx sold for $264,000 at auction. In 2020 a PSA 5 copy commanded $191,200. Often overshadowed by Ruth and Gehrig, Foxx’s considerable baseball talent and rarity of high-grade 1933 Goudey cards have made him a beloved collectible in his own right with estimated populations under 100 PSA 8 or higher cards known.
Mel Ott – As one of the game’s elite sluggers during the 1930s primarily with the New York Giants, Ott’s 1933 card carries substantial heft. In 2016 a PSA 8 Ott changed hands for $83,520. Extremely tough to find in Gem Mint condition, an Ott is a prized part of any serious vintage collection. Ott’s image depicts him in the on-deck circles preparing to launch one of his legendary home runs.
Al Simmons – A true five-tool star during his playing days, primarily with the Athletics, Simmons is one of the tougher 1933 Goudey cards to acquire in top grades due to his more obscure playing career compared to the titans at the top of the list. Still, a PSA 8 Simmons sold for $82,000 in 2016 highlighting the continued demand for star players, even those not quite in the Ruth/Gehrig/Foxx class of recognition. The card features a clear action shot of Simmons at bat.
Needless to say, finding high quality 1933 Goudey cards of any player in PSA 8 or above condition would represent an incredible museum-quality collectible. Populations remain tiny given the fragility and age of the nearly 90-year old cardboard. Even lesser stars and commons fetch five figures, showing the broad, passionate collector demand for this seminal set. As interest grows in vintage memorabilia, prices for the 1933 Goudeys of the games all-time greats will likely continue appreciating over time. The combination of historic significance, visual aesthetic appeal, and brute on-field excellence of players depicted make these early cards permanently enshrined as royalty in the collecting community.
