1939 was a monumental year for baseball cards. It marked the beginning of the modern era of baseball cards as companies like Goudey and Play Ball started mass producing cards with gum and candy. These sets featured colorful photographs on the front of each card and basic stats or career highlights on the back.
One of the most iconic and valuable sets from 1939 is the Goudey Baseball Card set. It featured 161 total cards split between two series. The first series had cards numbered 1-75 and featured players from the American League. The second series had cards 76-161 and featured players from the National League. Some of the biggest stars featured included Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Dizzy Dean, and Mel Ott.
In pristine gem mint condition, the rarest and most valuable cards from the 1939 Goudey set can fetch six figure prices. The Babe Ruth card in a PSA 10 grade is valued around $350,000-$450,000. A Lou Gehrig in the same grade would sell for $150,000-$200,000. Other highly valuable and rare cards include the Dizzy Dean (#74) at $30,000-$40,000 in PSA 10 grade and Mel Ott (#142) at $20,000-$30,000 in PSA 10 grade.
For high grade copies in PSA 8 or 9 condition, the Babe Ruth is valued around $75,000-$100,000 in PSA 8 and $150,000-$200,000 in PSA 9. The Lou Gehrig falls in the $30,000-$50,000 range for PSA 8 and $75,000-$100,000 for PSA 9. Most other star players from the set in top grades would sell in the $5,000-$15,000 range depending on condition and player.
The 1939 Goudey set also featured many stars who had retired just a few years prior or would retire within a few years. Hall of Famers like Eddie Collins, Tris Speaker, and Nap Lajoie are quite rare and valuable in high grades as well. Their cards in PSA 8 or better condition could sell for $3,000-$7,000 depending on the specific player.
Other notable sets from 1939 included the Play Ball Cracker Jack set, M101-8 Goudey/Admiral set, and Leaf Candy set. The Play Ball featured players like Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, and Bob Feller. In top PSA grades, their cards sell for $1,000-$3,000 each. The M101-8 set is less common and features many of the same players as Goudey but in different poses. High graded stars could sell for $2,000-$5,000 each. The Leaf Candy set is quite rare complete and features players like Dizzy Dean. Their cards have values ranging from $500 to $2,000 based on condition and player.
In terms of lower graded copies and common players, there is still value to be found in 1939 sets even if they are not gem mint. A 1939 Goudey Babe Ruth in PSA 5 condition recently sold for over $15,000. Most star players would sell for $500-$2,000 in PSA 5 range. More common players may only fetch $50-$150 in similar lower grades. Complete sets in any grade also hold value, often selling for several thousand dollars even for low-end assembled sets.
When considering prices, there are a few other factors that impact values such as card centering, corners, edges and surface issues. Receiving the exact PSA grade is also important as one point can mean a thousands of dollars difference between an 8.5 vs. 9 grade. Population reports which track census data are another valuable tool for researchers and investors. In the end, 1939 remains one of the most iconic years for baseball cards and sets continue to excite collectors nearly 80 years later. With prices reaching record highs, it’s clear that the golden age cards from the late 1930s capture the imagination of the hobby.
The 1939 baseball card market offers incredible investment opportunities and collectibles for fans of the game. Sets like Goudey, Play Ball, and others provide access to some of the greatest players who ever lived. With values of key cards reaching into the hundreds of thousands, it’s a reminder of how influential these early cardboard issues have become. Whether seeking common players, complete sets, or gem mint stars, 1939 remains a pinnacle year that continues to engage collectors.
