The 1930s were a pivotal decade for baseball cards. During this time, card manufacturers experimented with different designs and production techniques that would help establish some of the most iconic baseball card sets of all-time. While older tobacco cards from the early 1900s remain highly collectible, the 1930s saw baseball cards truly come into their own as a mainstream collectible.
Some of the most notable 1930s baseball card sets that remain highly sought after by collectors today include 1933 Goudey, 1934 Goudey, 1935 Diamond Stars, and 1937 Play Ball. Each of these multi-player sets featured innovative designs and colorful illustrations that captured the stars of the era. Cards from these sets in top condition can fetch tens of thousands of dollars at auction. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout cards and players represented from this golden decade for baseball collectibles.
1933 Goudey: Often cited as the most important set of the 1930s, 1933 Goudey cards were the first to be mass-produced specifically for the collector market rather than included in tobacco products. The set featured 161 total cards across 8 different player designs. Some of the most valuable include Babe Ruth (#138), Jimmie Foxx (#116), and Lou Gehrig (#110). High grade versions of these cards in Near Mint or better condition can sell for well over $100,000 each. The Goudey set helped establish modern baseball card collecting.
1934 Goudey: Building on the success of the 1933 issue, the 1934 Goudey set expanded to 252 total cards but retained the same colorful illustrated style. Highlights include a Lou Gehrig (#138) batting pose considered one of the most iconic baseball card images ever. In top condition it can fetch over $300,000. Jimmie Foxx (#110) and Dizzy Dean (#154) are other big stars featured. The rarer parallel “gum” back variation of this set is the true holy grail for 1930s collectors.
1935 Diamond Stars: Produced by Diamond Match, this 81-card set moved to a simpler design showing just headshots but featured some of the biggest names in the game at the time. A near flawless Babe Ruth (#65) could sell for $500,000+. Honus Wagner (#1), one of the rarest cards in the hobby, also appears but is still priced well into the millions. High grade examples of stars like Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, and Dizzy Dean can also reach five figures.
1937 Play Ball: The final major 1930s set before World War II, Play Ball was produced by World Color Printing and included 240 total cards across 5 different designs. Perhaps the most iconic is the Lou Gehrig “Luckiest Man” pose from his famous 1939 retirement speech (#110). High grade copies can sell for over $100,000. Other stars like Joe DiMaggio (#131), Ted Williams (#156), and Dizzy Dean (#204) are also highly valuable finds. The set helped popularize baseball cards during a pivotal time for the sport.
Beyond the major flagship sets, regional issues also gained popularity during the 1930s. Goudey’s “Small Size” cards from 1933-1938 are highly collectible variations. Cincinnati-based manufacturer Diamond Cigarettes produced a 76-card set in 1934 featuring primarily Reds players that is one of the rarest in the hobby. The Philadelphia Phillies also issued their own team set in 1933. Even lesser known tobacco brands like Orbis put out regional baseball cards during this period that can still excite collectors today.
In terms of individual star power, no player looms larger over 1930s cards than Babe Ruth. His iconic home run pose adorns the 1933 and 1934 Goudey issues as well as the rare 1914 Baltimore News card (#5). High grade examples can sell for millions. Lou Gehrig also became a household name during this decade and his legendary career makes his 1930s cards hugely desirable. Rookies of future Hall of Famers like Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, and Dizzy Dean also first appeared in 1930s sets.
The colorful art deco style, pioneering production techniques, and capturing of baseball’s biggest heroes elevated cards of the 1930s to the status of highly collectible artifacts. While finding premium condition examples of the rarest stars from this golden decade in baseball collecting will require a sizable investment, lesser stars and common cards still make for affordable opportunities to own genuine pieces of sports history. The 1930s established baseball cards as a mainstream hobby enjoyed by fans of all ages.
