Baseball cards exploded in popularity in the late 19th century as cigarette companies began including them in their products as promotional incentives. Perhaps no decade saw the growth of baseball cards quite like the 1910s. By 1919, the hobby had truly taken off. The cards from this early era are now over 100 years old, making them highly sought after collectibles. Let’s take a look at what a baseball cards price guide might have looked like for the year 1919.
The most valuable and sought after cards from 1919 would have been those featuring the biggest stars of that time period. Babe Ruth would have been entering his prime with the Boston Red Sox in 1919 and his cards would have already been gaining value. A 1919 Babe Ruth Sporting News card in near mint condition could have fetched around $5, though one in poorer condition may have gone for $2-3. For context, $5 in 1919 would be around $75 in today’s dollars, showing how early Ruth cards were already establishing premium value.
Another superstar who would have had highly valuable 1919 cards is Ty Cobb. Arguably the best player of the deadball era, Cobb won the American League batting title in 1919 with a .384 average. A 1919 Cobb card in near mint condition may have sold for around $4-5, only slightly less than a top Ruth card from the same year. Cobb’s ferocious style of play and unmatched hitting prowess made him one of the first true baseball superstars and his early cards reflect that status.
In addition to Ruth and Cobb, other top players who would be highly sought after in a 1919 price guide include Tris Speaker, Eddie Collins, Home Run Baker, and Walter Johnson. Speaker cards could have gone for $3-4, Collins around $2.50, Baker $2-3, and Johnson $2. These were the biggest offensive and pitching stars of the American League in 1919 and their cards would have held premium collector value even then. In the National League, cards of Grover Cleveland Alexander, Rogers Hornsby, and Casey Stengel may have ranged from $1.50 to $2.50 based on condition and scarcity.
Beyond just the star players, complete team sets from 1919 held value for completionists even back then. A full 25-card 1919 Cincinnati Reds set may have sold for around $15-20, while a complete Boston Red Sox or Chicago White Sox team set could have gone for $12-18. Even less heralded teams like the Philadelphia Athletics or Washington Senators may have had their full 1919 sets priced at $8-12. For dedicated fans and collectors seeking to finish their album, full team sets provided a rewarding challenge even in the early days of the hobby.
In terms of product, the most desirable issues in 1919 would have been the higher end tobacco cards. Cards produced by manufacturer Allen & Ginter held premium value due to their quality stock and vivid color illustrations. A complete 100-card Allen & Ginter Tobacco set from 1909-11 could have fetched $40-50 in 1919. Other top tobacco issues included cards from manufacturers like T206, T205, and Sweet Caporal. Complete tobacco sets from those companies may have ranged between $20-40 depending on condition and scarcity of certain players.
Beyond tobacco issues, regional baseball cards inserted in products like Bread, Gum, Candy, and Cracker Jack also had followings and collector value. Complete sets of regional issues like 1909-11 Philadelphia Caramel, 1911-12 Hassan Portland, or 1911-12 Peanuts held values of $10-25 based on scarcity. Individual standout stars from regional issues could also command $1-3 depending on the player.
In terms of general condition guidelines that would have factored into 1919 pricing, near mint (NM) cards represented the highest value with sharp images and no creasing. Very fine (VF) cards with minor edge wear were valued at 80-90% of NM. Fine (F) condition with light creasing may have been 60-75% of NM. Poor (P) cards with heavy wear were often valued at just 25-50% of a NM copy depending on the star power of the player featured.
A 1919 baseball cards price guide would have established premium values for the superstars of that era like Ruth, Cobb, Speaker, and Johnson. Sought after tobacco issues from Allen & Ginter and T206 held top dollar. Regional issues and complete team and manufacturer sets provided affordable collecting options. Condition was critical, with near mint copies commanding full collector value. While the prices may seem low by today’s standards, the early collecting landscape was established. This price guide provides a fascinating look into the early collecting values that helped shaped the modern baseball card industry.
