When it comes to some of the most valuable and sought after baseball cards in the world, Tiffany cards are near or at the top of most collectors’ lists. Produced only between 1887-1888, Tiffany cards were printed on high quality card stock and featured elaborate lithographic images that set them apart from other cards of the time. Only about 100 different Tiffany cards are known to exist today in collectors’ hands, making them exceptionally rare and desirable. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most prized Tiffany cards and why they command top prices at auction.
Perhaps the most famous and valuable Tiffany card is the 1884 Old Judge tobacco card featuring the caricature of the Judge. Only about 60 are known to exist today in various conditions. The image depicts a judge smoking a pipe with the phrase “Good for Your Cough” underneath. In mint condition, an 1884 Old Judge tobacco card is worth millions. In 2021, one graded PSA NM-MT 8 sold at auction for a record $7.25 million, making it the most valuable baseball card ever sold. What makes it so desirable is simply how rare and historic it is as one of the earliest mass-produced baseball cards ever.
Another extremely coveted and expensive Tiffany is the 1886 Old Judge card, of which even fewer are known to exist than the 1884. Like its predecessor, it pictures the smoking judge character but with updated artwork and a different back advertisement. In high grades, it can rival or surpass the 1884 Old Judge in value given its superior condition rarity. In 2013, one graded PSA NM-MT 8 brought an astounding $2.1 million at auction, showing just how highly sought after this card is among the most serious vintage collectors.
For collectors looking to own an iconic Tiffany player card, one of the most famous is certainly the 1885 Old Judge N172 Buck Ewing card. Considered one of the earliest baseball stars, Ewing was the captain and catcher for the New York Giants in the 1880s. His card captured his mustachioed likeness in a period uniform. High grade examples have sold for over $500,000 due to the player depicted, its early production date, and scarcity. Even well-worn copies still trade hands for five figures reflecting the card’s historical significance.
Another great Tiffany player card is the N171 Tim Keefe issue from 1885. As one of the earliest star pitchers, Keefe won over 300 games in his career mostly with the New York Giants and had an impressive 1.95 ERA. Like the Ewing, it pictures its subject in old-time uniform and cap against an illustrated background. Examples in the $100,000 range aren’t unheard of for top conditioned versions of this rare piece of baseball memorabilia tying a legendary hurler to the earliest days of the sport.
For collectors seeking a full Tiffany set, among the key cards needed aside from the big tobacco issues are the 1885 Old Judge salamander back N174/N175 Tim Murnane cards. Murnane played over 20 years in the majors from 1878 to 1898 for several teams. High grade copies have reached $40,000 at auction. Other important set cards include the N176/N177 Chief Leach pieces from 1885, the N178/N179 Dave Orr issues, and the N180/N181 Deacon White subjects, all starring key players from the 1880s. Prices for these in top condition regularly hit five figures.
While certainly out of reach for most collectors monetarily, owning even low-grade examples of these famed early cardboard issues from the Tiffany company is a true highlight for any vintage collection. They represent not only some of the earliest baseball cards ever made but also some of the most beautifully crafted, historically important, and rare collectibles in the entire sports world. Whether it’s the tobacco giants, star player portraits, or set filler cards, Tiffany cards will always be revered as among the most prestigious pieces in any collection thanks to their extremely limited surviving population and ties to the earliest days of both baseball and the hobby itself.
While expensive beyond most budgets, Tiffany cards are truly some of the crown jewels of the collecting world. Their immense historical value, iconic imagery, and superior condition rarity make them consistently top all-time auction prices. Even well-worn copies still command five and six figure sums. For the serious paper memorabilia enthusiast, finding a way to add even a lower grade example of these brilliant early cards to a collection is a true highlight. They represent the pioneering era when baseball cards first emerged and helped fuel an entire multi-billion dollar industry. For these reasons, Tiffany cards will always be among the most desirable issues sought after by both casual fans and elite vintage investors alike.
