Baseball cards have been popular collectibles since the late 19th century. Some of the most famous and valuable baseball cards ever printed feature legendary players from the early days of the game. Several prominent collectors have amassed truly remarkable collections featuring some of the rarest and most desirable cards in existence. Here are some of the most famous and extensive baseball card collections ever assembled.
The Beckett Collection: Published author and expert grader Dr. James Beckett has spent decades accumulating what is considered one of the finest and most complete baseball card collections in the world. His collection numbers in the hundreds of thousands of cards and includes examples from the earliest printed sets all the way up to modern issues. Some of the crown jewels of the Beckett Collection include a 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner, the finest known example which he graded Mint 9; a PSA Gem Mint 10 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle; and a complete run of the iconic 1952 Topps set in high grades. The collection is valued well into the eight figures.
The SGC Registry Set: Created by prominent third-party grading company SGC, the SGC Registry Set is a collaborative effort between SGC and dozens of elite collectors. The goal is to assemble a complete run of every significant vintage and modern set in the highest graded condition possible, with all cards attaining a grade of SGC 70 or above. Some of the rarest inclusions in the Registry Set so far are a 1914 Cracker Jack N1 Honus Wagner graded SGC 70; a 1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee graded SGC 80; and a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth graded SGC 80. With contributions from top collectors, the SGC Registry Set is considered the finest graded set in the hobby.
The Murphy Collection: In the late 90s and early 2000s, former hedge fund manager Bill Murphy amassed one of the largest and most complete collections of vintage cards ever assembled by a single individual. His collection contained over 250,000 cards and included every significant tobacco and candy issue from the pre-war era, most in high grades. Some of the most valuable pieces were an SGC-graded T206 Wagner; multiple PSA/SGC 80+ graded Goudey and T206 cards; and complete high-grade runs of sets like 1909-11 T206, 1914 Cracker Jack, and 1933 Goudey. Following Murphy’s passing in 2017, his entire collection was sold at auction for over $30 million.
The McGuire Collection: Formed by Texas oilman and historian Jim McGuire over 50 years, the McGuire Collection is renowned for its amazing depth and condition across all of sports card history. In addition to a complete vintage run from the 1900s-1950s, McGuire assembled the finest known examples of many key cards, like his PSA NM-MT 8 1909-11 T206 Wagner, graded at the time as the finest in existence. His collection also featured the finest known copies of rare pre-war issues like the 1914 Cracker Jack set complete in high grades. Following McGuire’s passing in 2020, his entire 700,000+ card collection was acquired by collector Bill Goodwin.
The Goldin Auctions Registry Set: Founded by industry pioneer Ken Goldin in the 1980s, Goldin Auctions has long been the premier auction house for vintage cards. To showcase the rarest material crossing their auction block, Goldin launched the Goldin Auctions Registry Set in the 2010s. The set aims to assemble a complete vintage run with all cards attaining ultra-high grades of PSA/SGC 95 or above. Some highlights so far include a PSA Gem Mint 100 1909-11 T206 Wagner; PSA/SGC 100 graded examples from rare pre-war sets; and the finest known copies of many iconic vintage cards in pristine condition. The Registry Set stands as a showcase of the absolute pinnacle of the hobby.
As one can see, some of the most accomplished collectors have spent entire lifetimes hunting down and assembling truly remarkable collections featuring the rarest and most desirable vintage cards in the highest attainable conditions. While most cards will never achieve the lofty prices seen at auction for the most elite examples, following the journeys of these top collections gives insight into the history of the hobby. With dedicated collectors and graders working to preserve the condition of these fragile pieces of pop culture history, the future remains bright for appreciating the amazing cards of baseball’s early decades.
