1909 Obak Baseball Cards Price Guide

The 1909 Obak baseball card set is one of the most coveted and valuable issues in the early history of baseball cards. Produced by the Obak Cigarette Company, the 1909 Obak set is the second earliest documented baseball card set after the iconic T206 tobacco card series from 1909-1911. While not as famous as the legendary “White Border” T206 cards, the 1909 Obak set holds immense nostalgia and value for collectors due to its rarity and status as one of the first mass produced baseball card sets. This price guide will provide collectors with information on valuation, grading, and demand for the iconic cards from the pioneering 1909 Obak baseball card set.

About the 1909 Obak Baseball Card Set

The 1909 Obak set consists of 24 cards featuring players from the National League and American League. Each card measures approximately 2.5 x 3 inches in size.
The front of each card depicts a black and white photo of the player along with their name and team. The backs are blank with no stats or information about the players.
It’s believed the Obak Cigarette Company issued the cards as part of its marketing and advertising campaigns, inserting them into packs or tins of Obak cigarettes similar to how tobacco companies distributed cards in the early 20th century.
Production numbers for the 1909 Obak set are unknown but collectors estimate only a few hundred or few thousand sets were ever printed, making survivors incredibly rare over 100 years later. Only a small fraction of the original print run is assumed to still exist today.

Grading and Population Report

When it comes to condition, 1909 Obak cards are exceptionally scarce in high grades due to their extreme age. Even well-kept examples will often show signs of handling, wear, or age that prevent true gem mint grades. Here is a brief overview of population data and valuations based on grade:

PSA/SGC 1 – About a dozen or so examples grade PSA 1 or SGC 1 due to severe wear. Values $3,000-$6,000 based on historical auction prices.
PSA 2 – Less than 5 cards are known to grade PSA 2. Values $8,000-$12,000.
PSA 3 – Approximately 10 PSA 3 examples reported. Values $12,000-$18,000.
PSA 4 – Around 15 PSA 4 Obaks are accounted for. Values $18,000-$25,000.
PSA 5 – Only 5 PSA 5 Obaks are known. Values $30,000-$50,000.
PSA 6 – 3 PSA 6 examples reported. Values $60,000-$100,000.
PSA 7 – No PSA 7 Obaks are believed to exist in the population report.

Notable Players and Valuable Cards

Some standout players featured on 1909 Obak cards have significantly higher values than others based on their fame and importance to baseball history:

Ty Cobb, Detroit Tigers – Even low-grade Cobb Obaks can fetch $25,000+. A PSA 4 recently sold for $60,000.
Christy Mathewson, New York Giants – His Obak regularly sells for $15,000+ in lower grades.
Walter Johnson, Washington Senators – One of the most coveted due to his 5.24 career ERA. $20,000+ cards.
Honus Wagner, Pittsburgh Pirates – The Holy Grail. A PSA 2.5 recently sold for a record $432,500. Only a few higher than PSA 1 are known to exist.
Other stars like Tris Speaker, Eddie Collins draw significant premiums over lesser known players as well.

Tips for Buying and Selling 1909 Obak Cards

Always insist on seeing certification from a major third party grading service like PSA or SGC before purchasing. Reproductions and forgeries are not uncommon.
Ask for additional photos beyond what’s listed to thoroughly inspect centering, edges and surface quality. Graders are sometimes inconsistent on Obaks.
Prices can vary greatly based on condition. Be prepared to pay premiums for higher grades, especially 5 and above.
Selling raw Obaks is risky without a grade. Consider using an established auction house for consignment.
Condition is king. Even small differences in wear can mean thousands of dollars between similar grades. Inspect carefully.

In Summary

As one of the earliest and most significant non-tobacco baseball card sets ever produced, the 1909 Obak issue holds a special place in card collecting history. With such an incredibly small surviving population spread across grades, finding high quality examples to add to a collection is extremely difficult. But for those who can acquire these pioneering cards, they represent some of the most prized possessions and valuable investments in the entire hobby. With prices constantly rising, the 1909 Obak cards remain one of the most desirable vintage card sets over a century after their original distribution.