Baseball cards from the 1940s hold a special place in the hobby, as they represent some of the earliest modern issues that are still widely collected today. With World War 2 raging during this decade, production of baseball cards was limited, making high quality examples from 1940 quite scarce and valuable. If you’re looking to value your 1940s baseball card collection or want to learn more about this classic era, this in-depth price guide will explore the most valuable and sought after cards from 1940 and provide estimated value ranges.
1940 is generally considered the start of the modern baseball card era, as it was the first year that cards were mass produced in gum and candy packs for nationwide distribution. The most iconic 1940 set is the Play Ball issue produced by American Chicle. This set contains 72 cards featuring players from both the American and National Leagues. Some key things that determine the value of 1940 Play Ball cards include the player featured, the player’s photo position, and the card’s overall condition.
In gem mint condition, the most valuable common player cards from the 1940 Play Ball set include:
Joe DiMaggio (#61): $3,000-$5,000
DiMaggio was one of the biggest stars of the era and his cards consistently earn top dollar. The centered photo and bright colors make high grade examples quite scarce.
Ted Williams (#65): $2,000-$3,500
Like DiMaggio, Williams was one of the premier hitters of the 1940s and his rookie card holds great significance. Finding a PSA 9+ example would be a true treasure.
Bob Feller (#45): $1,500-$2,500
As one of the hardest throwers of all-time, Feller’s rookie card holds appeal for baseball historians. High grade copies with the photo centered are tough to come by.
Hank Greenberg (#28): $1,000-$2,000
The slugger’s 1940 card captures him in his prime with the Detroit Tigers. Well-centered examples with vivid colors bring top dollar from collectors.
Dolph Camilli (#16): $800-$1,500
Camilli’s 1940 is one of the more scarce and sought after cards of the set. Finding a high grade copy in a third-party holder is an exciting find.
In addition to star players, there are also several valuable short prints and error cards that can significantly increase a 1940 Play Ball’s value. The rarest and most valuable include:
Bill Lee (#12) Short Print: $5,000-$8,000
Only about 10 are known to exist in PSA 8+ condition, making this one of the true unicorns of the set.
Bucky Walters (#56) Inverted Back: $3,000-$5,000
The back of this card is printed upside down, a fascinating error that greatly boosts its value.
Bobo Newsom (#67) Gum Stain Error: $2,500-$4,000
A prominent pink gum stain on the front makes this card instantly identifiable and quite rare.
Ernie Koy (#70) Off-Center Print Error: $1,500-$3,000
The photo on this card is dramatically off-center, another intriguing manufacturing mistake.
While the Play Ball set receives the most attention, there are also several other quality 1940 baseball card issues worth exploring. The 1940 Goudey set is smaller with only 75 cards but featured colorful player portraits. Highlights include a Mickey Mantle rookie card valued $50,000-$75,000 in PSA 8. The 1940 DeLong issue contained 144 cards with team photos on the fronts. Toppers include a Ted Williams rookie around $1,500 PSA 6. And the 1940 Leaf Candy Co. set had simple black and white images but can contain gems as well.
The 1940s launched the golden era of baseball cards and issues from this decade hold great nostalgia and value. With World War 2 card shortages, high quality vintage pieces have become increasingly scarce. For investors or collectors, 1940 Play Ball stars, errors, and short prints in top grades provide an exciting opportunity to own rare pieces of sports card history. Taking the time to properly grade and encapsulate finds is key to maximizing their worth.
