Vintage baseball cards from the late 19th and early 20th centuries are highly sought after by collectors due to their historical significance and value. These early cards helped kickstart the hobby of sports card collecting and featured some of the earliest depictions of professional baseball players. While most vintage cards are quite rare, some stand out as being notably more desirable than others due to certain attributes that attract collectors. Here are some of the most iconic and valuable vintage baseball cards that routinely sell for high prices at auction:
1909-11 T206 tobacco card set – Often considered the most iconic set in the history of sports cards, the non-sport T206 tobacco issue featured images of around 524 different baseball players. Produced between 1909-1911 by the American Tobacco Company, the set is particularly notable for including Hall of Famers such as Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb and Walter Johnson. In mint condition, high-grade examples of rare cards like the legendary Wagner fetch millions of dollars at auction. Even common players in good condition can sell for thousands. The set overall established the modern concept of trading, collecting and evaluating sports cards based on player, condition and scarcity.
1913 E95-1 Walter Johnson card – One of just 10 known examples of this exceedingly rare pre-NBA issue card to feature the legendary pitcher in his rookie season pitching for the Washington Senators. Produced by Kimball, the card shows Johnson in striking action pose not seen on other early cards. Its scarcity and subject make it highly prized by vintage collectors, with one PSA EX-MT 5 example selling for a record $230,000 back in 2016. Condition is absolutely critical for any hope of realizing a huge price.
1907 E107 Candy LaChance card – Perhaps the earliest identifiable baseball card known, this cigar premium issue from British-American Tobacco is credited with being the first apparent attempt at a set of player cards. Only three graded examples are known to exist, with the highest a PSA 2.5 that sold at auction in 2016 for $96,000. Getting a glimpse of this very first baseball card design is a huge draw for vintage enthusiasts.
1933 Goudey Yankees team issue – The last baseball card set produced during the pre-war period focused not on individual players but rather featured artwork of notable 1930s New York Yankees teams. Highlights include a Babe Ruth as part of the infamous “Murderers Row” which sold for over $200,000 in near-mint condition. Full sets in similarly high grades can sell for well over $100,000 due to their historic time capsule nature.
1909-1911 Imperfects National Cracker Jack set – For collectors seeking a vintage card set on a slightly more affordable budget, this issue reprinting stars from the T206 set as cellophane wrapped premiums in Cracker Jack boxes between 1909-1911 can fit the bill. Top cards like the Wagner regularly sell for $5,000-10,000 in nicer grades. Near complete sets provide a window into early 20th century sport at a more accessible price point than the ultra-rare, big-ticket items.
1887/1888 Old Judge tobacco cards – As one of the earliest series of cigarette cards to feature athletes, this N172 set includes among its run of 24 cards individual images of baseball stars like Hugh Daily, Jim Fogarty and John Montgomery Ward that established what modern collectors recognize as the basic look of a baseball card. Extremely fragile and seldom surviving in anything more than Poor grade, a Fine example could easily eclipse $10,000 at auction.
1911-1915 Cracker Jack cards – Following the success of the 1909-1911 Cracker Jack issues, several subsequent runs of cards appeared inside this popular kids’ snack through 1915. Additional stars and teams were featured, with particularly rare and early examples like a 1911 Cobb fetching upwards of $15,000 in top condition. Near complete runs of these inserts provide a fun as well as valuable set for collectors.
1933 Goudey Sport Kings Babe Ruth – A stunning, iconic image of the legendary Sultan of Swat in batting pose during his prime years with the Yankees makes this one of the most famous and famous cards in the highly collectible 1933 Goudey set. High-grade specimens regularly sell for $5,000-10,000 on account of the great photo and subject’s iconic status in baseball history. Ruth remains one of the most pursued names among vintage card collectors.
1914 Baltimore News Billy Sunday card – One of three known examples of this ultra-rare local issue, this card features the iconic baseball player/evangelist in 1913 during his major league career as a member of the Chicago White Sox. A proof quality PSA 3 brought nearly $90,000 at auction in 2016. Virtually any example would be a prized attraction in even the most elite collection given its unbelievable rarity.
This covers just a selection of some of the most noteworthy vintage baseball cards that enthral collectors with their early role in sports history, depictions of all-time great players, and eye-popping scarcity. As the origins of the modern trading card industry, these pioneering cardboard issues from over a century ago continue to enthrall and set record prices in the marketplace. Even relatively common high-grade examples can be quite valuable when they provide a window into the earliest eras of professional baseball.
