Baseball cards have been a beloved part of American culture for over a century. From the first tobacco cards produced in the late 1800s to the modern digital era, cards have allowed fans to collect pieces of the game they love. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at 130 iconic baseball cards from across the decades.

1909 T206 Honus Wagner (PSA PSA 1): The Holy Grail of baseball cards, the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner is one of the rarest and most valuable collectibles in the world. Only around 60 examples are known to exist in various states of preservation. In pristine condition it can sell for over $3 million at auction. Wagner, considered one of the best shortstops ever, demanded that the American Tobacco Company stop printing his image as he did not want to promote tobacco to children.

1910 E90 Walter Johnson (PSA 2): Standing 6’1″ and possessing a blazing fastball, Walter Johnson dominated the early 20th century as a right-handed pitcher for the Washington Senators. This early portrait card shows the intimidating “Big Train” in his prime. Only a handful are known to exist in top-notch condition.

1914 Cracker Jack Dazzy Vance (PSA 8): Known for his flamboyant windup and freakish control, Vance was one of the preeminent pitchers of the 1920s and 1930s. This card offers a candid image of “Dazzy” during his playing days for the Brooklyn Robins/Dodgers. Cracker Jack inserts became highly collectible after they were discontinued in 1938.

1916 Sporting News Babe Ruth (PSA 2): Issued during Babe Ruth’s early days as a star pitcher for the Red Sox, this rarified 1916 Sporting Newsnewsprint card portrays “The Bambino” before his record-setting home run prowess. Only a small number are believed extant in high grade.

1933 Goudey #53 Carl Hubbell (PSA 8): Depicting “King Carl” mid-pitching motion for the New York Giants, this 1933 Goudey National Leaguers card is among one of the most aesthetically pleasing baseball issues ever made. Hubbell’s famed screwball made him virtually unhittable during his Hall of Fame career.

1933 Goudey #138 Lou Gehrig (PSA 8): One of the most iconic cards in the Goudey set, this image of the “Iron Horse” in Yankees pinstripes remains instantly recognizable today. Lou Gehrig established himself as one of the game’s premier sluggers prior to his tragic ALS diagnosis cutting short a Hall of Fame career.

1934 Goudey Sport Kings Jimmie Foxx (PSA 8): Known as the “Beast” for his mammoth home runs, Jimmie Foxx blasted 534 career homers playing for five different teams between 1925-1945. This scarce vintage sport king card pictures the Athletics slugger in his prime.

1936 Play Ball #8 Mel Ott (PSA 8): Depicting the “Giant Moose” in home pinstripes, this 1936 Play Ball Giants star card captures Hall of Famer Mel Ott just before he led the NL in homers. Ott smashed 511 homers in his career largely spent with the New York National League club.

1948 Bowman #1 Joe DiMaggio (PSA 9): Perhaps the finest card from the revolutionary 1948 Bowman set, this pristine Joltin’ Joe portrait remains the standard bearer for condition census rarities. Held by many to be the greatest living baseball player, DiMaggio slugged his way to Yankee lore.

1949 Bowman Pee Wee Reese (PSA 9): Heralded as the finest shortstop of the 1940s and 1950s, Pee Wee Reese anchored the Dodgers infield for 16 seasons. His brilliant defensive skills helped lead Brooklyn to several pennants. This high-grade ’49 Bowman is among the scarcest post-war issues.

1951 Bowman #83 Willie Mays (PSA 8): Capturing the “Say Hey Kid” in his early days with the New York Giants, this first Mays card established the legend that would follow. By decade’s end, Mays’ sensational play established him as the game’s premier all-around star.

1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle (PSA 8): Introducing “The Commerce Comet” to the debut Topps set, this portrait of the “Mickey” in pinstripes remains one of the single most popular cards of the 1950s. Mantle’s prodigious home run power made him a fan favorite.

1953 Topps #1 Robin Roberts (PSA 8): As the #1 in the groundbreaking ’53 Topps set, this Robin Roberts stars a true vintage classic. The Phillies ace won 20 games six times and struck out nearly 2,500 batters during his Hall of Fame career.

1954 Topps #122 Willie Mays (PSA 8): Captured in a photogenic mid-swing pose, this ’54 follow up to Mays’ first card further cemented his place as the game’s most exciting young star. Considered by many the finest Mays issue from the 1950s.

1955 Topps #253 Stan Musial (PSA 8): Displaying his fluid left-handed batting stroke, this 1955 Stan the Man card pays tribute to one of history’s greatest hitters. “Stan the Man” won three NL batting titles and set records that still stand today.

1956 Topps #500 Mickey Mantle (PSA 8): Perhaps the most iconic baseball image ever printed, this classic Mantle card shows “The Mick” unleashing his explosive swing. Mantle’s home run power during the 1950s made him a sport’s first true national celebrity.

1957 Topps #19 Hank Aaron (PSA 8): One of the finest rookie cards ever printed, this 1957 Aaron introduction shows the Hammer swinging for the Braves en route to 755 career home runs, second only to Babe Ruth. Among the most coveted vintage issues.

1958 Topps #500 Willie Mays (PSA 8): Capturing Mays making “The Catch” in the 1954 World Series, this iconic ’58 issue remains the most famous of all Mays cards printed. His over-the-shoulder grab is considered one of the greatest defensive plays in baseball history.

1959 Topps #500 Sandy Koufax (PSA 8): Introducing the young Dodgers flamethrower, this early Koufax is one of the finest rookie issues of the late 1950s. By 1963, Koufax’s pinpoint control made him the most dominant pitcher of the 1960s.

1960 Topps #1 Roberto Clemente (PSA 8): As the #1 in the ’60 set, this Roberto Clemente stands tall among the game’s true vintage classics. “The Great One” won 12 Gold Gloves patrolling right field for the Pirates while also hitting .317 lifetime.

1961 Topps #53 Roger Maris (PSA 8): Just before his record-setting 61 home runs in 1961, this Maris is one of the most significant modern star rookie issues. While controversial at the time, Maris’ single-season HR record stood for 37 years.

1962 Topps #522 Pete Rose (PSA 8): Introducing the unpredictable “Charlie Hustle” during his rookie campaign with the Reds, this 1962 issue remains very scarce in high grade. Rose would go on to break Ty Cobb’s all-time hits record 17 years later.

1963 Topps #290 Sandy Koufax (PSA 8): immortalizing the lefty’s dominant 1963 season, this Koufax shows him mid-windup en route to his first Cy Young award. That year, “the Southpaw from Syracuse” struck out 306 batters.

1964 Topps #500 Brooks Robinson (PSA 8): Highlighting Brooks’ backhanded scoop on the run, this iconic 1964 card captured a signature highlight of “The Human Vacuum Cleaner’s” defensive wizardry at third base for the Orioles.

1965 Topps #500 Frank Robinson (PSA 8): Introducing the first player to win MVP honors in both leagues, this 1965 Robinson card celebrated his 1964 Triple Crown season with the Orioles. Robinson was one of the first true five-tool player/stars.

1966 Topps #548 Bob Gibson (PSA 8): One of Gibson’s finer issues, this ’66 depicts his signature leg-kick windup during his period of total dominance on the mound. That year, Gibson posted a microscopic 1.12 ERA while leading the Cardinals to a World Series title.

1967 Topps #300 Jim Palmer (PSA 8): As one of Palmer’s earliest Topps issues, this prescient ’67 introduction pegged the young Orioles fireballer as a rising star – which he certainly became, winning 3 Cy Youngs in the 1970s.

1968 Topps #500 Hank Aaron (PSA 8): Just before breaking Babe Ruth’s career home run record in 1974, this 1968 Aaron card showed him mid-swing during the twilight of his Hall of Fame Braves career. One of his most nostalgically balanced image in the vintage Topps era.

1969 Topps #250 Tom Seaver (PSA 8): Considered one of Seaver’s finest vintage issues, this ’69 captures “Tom Terrific” in his arm