Introduction
The 1979 baseball card season marked a transitional period for the hobby. While the 1970s saw unprecedented growth and interest in collecting cards, the market was beginning to cool off heading into the late 1970s and early 1980s. Nevertheless, 1979 featured some iconic rookie cards and stars of the era that remain highly sought after by collectors today. Let’s take a closer look at the 1979 baseball cards price guide and examine some of the most valuable and desirable cards from that year.

Topps Dominates Again in 1979
As they had for decades, Topps dominated the baseball card market in 1979 with their flagship set. The standard Topps set featured cards of all 26 Major League Baseball teams from that season. Some key details about the 1979 Topps baseball card set include:

660 total cards in the base set
Card designs featured a white or gray border surrounding each photo
Glossy finish on the front of each card
Standard issue cards had no player signatures or autographs
Rookie cards debuted for stars like Don Mattingly, Wade Boggs, and Cal Ripken Jr.

When it comes to 1979 Topps baseball cards, there are a handful that regularly command significantly higher prices than others in well-centered, high-grade conditions. Here are some of the most valuable 1979 Topps cards:

Nolan Ryan (card #138) – One of the most iconic Ryan rookie cards. High grades can sell for over $1,000.

Ozzie Smith (card #637) – Considered one of the best defensive shortstops ever. A PSA 10 can reach $3,000+.

Don Mattingly (card #526) – The iconic “Hitting Machine” rookie card. PSA 10 examples sell for $1,500+.

Wade Boggs (card #455) – Highly regarded Red Sox third baseman. $500-800 in top grades.

Cal Ripken Jr. (card #494) – Future Hall of Famer’s rookie debut. $400-600 in PSA 10.

George Brett (card #150) – Perennial All-Star for Kansas City. $300-500 in top condition.

Dave Parker (card #126) – “Cobra” in his Pirates uniform. $200-300 range.

Other Notable 1979 Baseball Card Sets
While Topps dominated, other manufacturers released sets in 1979 as well. Some of the more notable non-Topps 1979 baseball card releases included:

Fleer: This was Fleer’s third and final baseball card issue of the 1970s. The set featured 330 total cards with design variations. Key rookie cards like Don Mattingly are worth $100-300 in high grades.

Donruss: One of the earlier Donruss baseball card sets, featuring 330 total cards. Design was similar to Topps but with team logo on the bottom. Rookie cards are valued around $50-150 in top condition.

TCMA: This smaller, regional Michigan-based company issued a 100 card set. Features some rookie cards not found elsewhere. Higher scarcity makes even commons worth $10-25.

Kellogg’s: This iconic 106 card set came as inserts inside Kellogg’s cereal boxes. Features die-cut photos and biographies on the back. Even common cards can be $20-50 due to limited production numbers.

The Decline of the 1970s Baseball Card Boom
While 1979 cards featured many future Hall of Famers and stars, the overproduction issues that plagued the late 1970s took their toll. As the decade ended, interest and sales of baseball cards began to decline sharply. Some key factors that contributed to the bust included:

Oversaturation of the market with too many sets released each year by numerous companies.

Speculation and investment aspect led to “bubble” mentality that eventually burst.

Emergence of other sports like basketball gained popularity among younger collectors.

Recession of early 1980s impacted discretionary hobby spending.

Waning interest among older collectors who fueled 1970s boom.

As a result, by the early 1980s the baseball card market had collapsed. Production was slashed and only a few major manufacturers remained. The 1979 sets remain popular with collectors today, especially for the iconic rookie cards they feature. In high grades, 1979 cards can provide a affordable entry point for many vintage cardboard collectors.

Conclusion
While it marked the beginning of the end for the 1970s baseball card boom, 1979 is still a very collectible year. The Topps, Donruss and Fleer sets in particular feature many Hall of Famers and stars in their rookie seasons. For collectors, it provides a more affordable vintage collecting option compared to the late 1960s and early 1970s. Examples like the star rookies in PSA 10 can be found for under $2,000. For researchers, 1979 cards also represent an important transitional period as the market began to cool. It serves as an iconic snapshot of the players and teams from that season.