1948 Leaf Baseball Cards Price Guide
The 1948 Leaf baseball card set is one of the most iconic issues from the post-World War II era and remains highly collectible to this day. Produced by the Leaf Gum Company, the 1948 Leaf set marked a transition period as many of the game’s greatest stars from the 1930s and 1940s were nearing retirement while a new generation of players was emerging. With its memorable black and white photography and simple yet classic design, the 1948 Leaf issue endures as one of the most aesthetically pleasing vintage card sets. Here is an in-depth price guide for the 1948 Leaf baseball cards.
The 1948 Leaf set consists of 126 cards featuring players from both the American and National Leagues. The front of each card shows a black and white photo of the player along with their name and team. On the back is basic career stats and information. The cards have a distinctive gray border and are numbered 1-126 without any team logos or identifiers. In near mint condition, here are the values you can expect to pay for some of the top stars and key cards from the 1948 Leaf set:
Ted Williams (Card #1): One of the most iconic cards from the entire vintage era, Williams’ rookie card is the undisputed crown jewel of the 1948 Leaf set. In near mint condition, this card can fetch $15,000 or more. Even well-centered examples in excellent condition bring $5,000+.
Joe DiMaggio (Card #2): As one of the game’s all-time greats, DiMaggio’s card remains a highly sought after key issue. Near mint examples sell for $3,000-$5,000.
Bob Feller (Card #3): The hard-throwing Indians’ ace, Feller’s card carries a value of $1,500-2,500 in top condition.
Stan Musial (Card #4): An absolute star and one of the most consistent hitters ever, Musial’s 1948 Leaf card sells for $1,200-2,000.
Jackie Robinson (Card #20): Robinson’s rookie card year, his 1948 Leaf is a true icon. Near mint copies sell for $3,000-5,000 due to his tremendous historical significance.
Warren Spahn (Card #21): One of the game’s most dominant pitchers, Spahn’s rookie card fetches $800-1,200.
Early Wynn (Card #23): Wynn’s rookie card carries a value of $500-800.
In addition to star rookies and future Hall of Famers, there are also numerous lesser known but still highly collectible cards throughout the 1948 Leaf set. For example, cards of players like Bobby Doerr (Card #5), Phil Rizzuto (Card #6), Tommy Holmes (Card #7), and Johnny Sain (Card #8) can each be acquired for $200-400 in top grade. Solid everyday players from the era like Eddie Waitkus (Card #9), Eddie Stanky (Card #10), and Billy Johnson (Card #11) are worth $100-200. Even cards of pitchers like Ken Heintzelman (Card #12) and Bobby Shantz (Card #13), who had decent but unspectacular careers, sell for $75-150 due to the set’s popularity.
There are also several scarce short print cards in the 1948 Leaf issue that command big premiums. For instance, cards of Alvin Dark (Card #24), Buddy Rosar (Card #25), and Fred Hatfield (Card #26) are considered short prints and can each sell for $1,000-2,000 in near mint condition due to their rarity. The George Metkovich card (Card #123), which is one of the scarcest in the entire set, has sold for upwards of $5,000 for pristine examples.
The 1948 Leaf baseball card set remains one of the most iconic issues from the post-war era. With its memorable photography and classic design aesthetic, it endures as a highly collectible set. While the superstar rookie cards like Williams and Robinson are out of reach price-wise for most collectors, there are still many affordable cards throughout the set from other notable players. For the astute collector, acquiring mid-tier 1948 Leaf cards in top grades represents a solid long-term investment opportunity given the set’s enduring popularity and status within the hobby.
