Baseball Cards of the 1940s
The 1940s was an iconic decade for baseball cards as the hobby began to take off in popularity across the United States. Following the Great Depression and leading up to America’s involvement in World War II, baseball cards provided a relatively inexpensive form of entertainment for many children and adults alike. While the 1930s saw the introduction of modern gum and candy cards by companies like Goudey and Play Ball, it was during the 1940s that several new manufacturers entered the market and production of cards reached unprecedented levels. This led to some of the most collectible and highly sought after vintage sets from the early days of the hobby.
At the start of the 1940s, the Goudey Gum Company remained the dominant force in baseball cards. In 1939 and 1940, they released sets featuring players from the American and National Leagues. These sets included 160 total cards and introduced innovations like player signatures. However, World War II paper shortages would force Goudey to halt production after 1940. This opened the door for new competitors like Bazooka, Bowman, and Topps.
In 1948, the Bowman Gum Company released the first modern size baseball card set. Prior Goudey issues were smaller, about the size of a modern business card. Bowman cards were larger at 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches, establishing the standard size that is still used today. Their 1948 set featured players and managers from both major leagues on 126 total cards. Highlights included the first cards for legends like Stan Musial, Ted Williams, and Jackie Robinson in his rookie season breaking the MLB color barrier.
Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. also entered the baseball card scene in the late 1940s. In 1950, they would surpass Bowman as the dominant manufacturer. But in 1948, Topps released their first baseball card set. It included only 75 total cards but was notable as one of the earliest issues from the company that would become synonymous with sports cards. Topps cards from this early era are considered quite rare and valuable today.
In addition to Bowman and Topps, the 1940s also saw other smaller manufacturers produce regional baseball card sets. The Leaf Candy Company distributed cards across the Midwest featuring players from teams like the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals. In 1947, the Hubinger Company issued a 102 card set focused solely on players from the Brooklyn Dodgers. These early regional issues are some of the most difficult vintage cards to acquire in high grade for collectors today.
The 1940s also saw the first major sports stars featured prominently on cards at the start of their legendary careers. In addition to Robinson in 1948, Joe DiMaggio’s rookie card came out in 1937 as part of the 1937 Goudey set. Ted Williams’ rookie is from the 1938 Goudey issue. Both are among the most valuable baseball cards in existence due to their significance and rarity. Other all-time greats like Stan Musial, Bob Feller, and Warren Spahn had cards released early in their careers during the 1940s as well.
As America entered World War II after the 1941 season, many star players were drafted for military service overseas. This led to shortages of new cardboard for the 1942-1945 seasons. Production of baseball cards was limited during the war years. The hobby saw incredible growth in the late 1940s as the country transitioned out of the war and players returned home. Sets released by Bowman and Topps in 1948 helped reinvigorate interest that has continued to this day. The 1940s established baseball cards as a mainstream pastime enjoyed by millions. It was a seminal decade that kickstarted the golden age of the hobby.
The 1940s was a pivotal time period that transformed baseball cards from a regional novelty to a national phenomenon. Innovations by manufacturers and the introduction of future legends on their rookie cards from this era created some of the most iconic and valuable collectibles in the hobby. While World War II stalled production for a few years, the late 1940s saw an explosive resurgence that baseball cards have never looked back from. The decade established the foundation for what is today a multibillion-dollar industry.
