The 1939 Play Ball baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable vintage card issues in the hobby. Produced by the National Chicle Company as part of their Play Ball gum promotions, the 1939 set is historic as it was the first card series to feature all 16 major league teams from that season. Prior Play Ball issues from 1938 and earlier only featured a selection of teams.
The 1939 Play Ball set contains 126 cards in the regular issue. Each card features a colorful action photo of a notable player from that season on the front and stats on the back. Some key things that make the 1939s highly valuable include the fact they were only distributed regionally, so finding a fully complete set in high grade is extremely difficult.It was the last Play Ball issue before World War 2 gum rationing impacted baseball card production greatly.
One of the main chase cards of the set is the Hank Greenberg card. Greenberg, who played for the Detroit Tigers, was one of the premier power hitters of his era and is still considered one of the best Jewish players in baseball history. His 1939 Play Ball card is the true star of the set and high grade examples can sell for over $10,000 individually. Other star players with valuable cards include Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, and Bob Feller.
Some other factors that contributed to the scarcity and demand for the 1939 Play Ball cards include:
Limited Distribution: Play Ball cards were inserted randomly in packs of gum sold predominantly on the East Coast of the United States. Finding a complete set kept in high grade from limited distribution over 80 years ago is no easy feat.
World War 2 Impact: The outbreak of World War 2 in 1940 led to rationing of products like gum base, severely limiting baseball card production for the duration of the war. The 1939 issue was the last “high production” set before this occurred.
Poor Long Term Storage: Many early 20th century cards were not properly stored or taken care of long term compared to modern standards. This plus the effects of time have greatly reduced Survivor Populations grades of high grade.
Iconic Era Immortalized: The 1939 season captured legends like Williams, DiMaggio, Greenberg, and Feller during the prime of their careers. Collectors prize relics capturing the “Golden Age” of the game.
First to Feature All Teams: Being the initial Play Ball set to showcase every MLB franchise increased its historical value versus prior regional issues.
Iconic Design: The colorful action photography and retro look of the 1939 Play Ball card design remains a classic and fan favorite over 80 years later.
In the mid-1980s, the 1939 Play Ball set became a prime target for collectors as the postwar vintage boom took hold. With fewer than a dozen complete high grade sets believed left in existence, individual cards now sell for thousands based on condition and player. The total value of a completed near-mint 1939 Play Ball set today would easily top $100,000.
Grading and authenticity have become extremely important for 1939 Play Ball cards to guarantee value. Third-party authentication and grading services like PSA and SGC provide certification to differentiate restored or fake cards. Even low-grade examples still sell for hundreds due to their fleeting availability after decades of use and loss since initial distribution.
For dedicated baseball card collectors and historians, finding that elusive high-grade 1939 Play Ball Hank Greenberg or Ted Williams is the Holy Grail. As one of the earliest examples of the modern baseball card hobby, the historical and monetary value of this seemingly simple gum promotion from 1939 will likely continue appreciating for decades to come. The 1939 Play Ball set immortalized the Golden Age of baseball at its peak and remains a cornerstone of the collectibles industry eight decades later.
