Lou Gehrig is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in baseball history. During his impressive 17-year career playing first base for the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1939, Gehrig established himself as one of the premier power hitters of his generation while also displaying stellar defense and baserunning ability. Tragically, Gehrig’s career and life were cut short when he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 1939 at the young age of 36. Despite this, Gehrig remains one of the most celebrated and popular players to ever play the game. As a result of his sustained excellence and early retirement due to illness, Gehrig’s baseball cards have become highly sought after by collectors.
Some of the earliest Lou Gehrig baseball cards come from the 1930 Goudey Gum Company set. This iconic set features several early star players from the deadball and live ball eras. Gehrig’s card from this set, numbered 131, pictures him in his classic New York Yankees uniform posing for a headshot. These early Goudey cards of Gehrig are key rookie cards for collectors and often fetch tens of thousands of dollars or more in top graded condition due to their rarity and significance in documenting Gehrig’s early playing career. Another notable early Gehrig card comes from 1933, where he is featured amongst other Yankee sluggers in a “Home Run Kings” promotion put out by Binney and Smith, the creators of Crayola crayons. This fun promotional card highlighted Gehrig as one of the top power hitters in the game during his prime years.
As the 1930s progressed, Gehrig continued putting together outstanding All-Star caliber seasons that further cemented his status as one of the game’s greatest sluggers. His accomplishments were acknowledged in several popular baseball card sets of the late 1930s. In 1937, Gehrig appeared in the famous 1936-37 Diamond Stars baseball card set produced by Diamond Match Corporation. This 84 card master set highlights the top talent from both the American and National Leagues of the time period. Gehrig’s Diamond Stars card shows him in action and documents his prolific 1927-1936 career statistics up to that point. Two years later in 1939, Gehrig was included in the Play Ball baseball card series issued by American Chicle. By this point, Gehrig had put together over a dozen All-Star level seasons and seemed destined to break numerous MLB records before his untimely medical retirement.
Tragically, Gehrig’s Hall of Fame worthy career was cut short at age 36 on June 1, 1939 when he announced his retirement due to being diagnosed with ALS. In his legendary “Luckiest Man” farewell speech at Yankee Stadium, Gehrig cemented his legacy as an inspiration for his courage and optimism in the face of a terrible illness. His retirement and health struggles received nationwide attention and support. Soon after, Topps released their first series of modern gum trading cards in 1951 featuring Gehrig amongst the legends from baseball history. Topps has since used Gehrig’s likeness and story in many baseball card sets honoring retired greats and Yankees championship histories. As one of the most prolific sluggers who exemplified integrity and sportsmanship, Gehrig became and remains one of the most collectible names in the baseball card hobby.
In the 1950s through 1970s, vintage Lou Gehrig cards grew exponentially more popular as the nostalgia for baseball’s golden era intensified. Sets like 1953 Topps, 1956 Topps, and 1971 Topps paid tribute to Gehrig’s towering statistical career and his continued legendary status years removed from his playing days. As the decades have progressed into the modern era, Lou Gehrig cards remain a fixture in heritage and retrospective sets honoring the sport’s rich history. In the late 1990s, Upper Deck produced highly detailed vintage reproduction cards of Gehrig and other stars. More recently in 2018, ToppsNow commemorated the 80th anniversary of Gehrig’s historic “Luckiest Man” speech with an impactful modern card capturing Gehrig’s legacy.
For collectors, one of the most exciting parts of seeking out vintage Lou Gehrig cards is searching for elusive key rookie and early career cards that carry immense historical significance and value. Of course, high grade examples from his breakthrough seasons with the Yankees in the late 1920s and 1930 Goudey set command premium five and six figure prices. Dedicated collectors find the hunt for any Gehrig card from his playing days incredibly rewarding, as it allows them the opportunity to own a piece of one of the most respected figures to ever play the national pastime. Whether affordable commons from the 1950s, or pricey key issues, Lou Gehrig cards rightfully maintain a treasured spot in the collections of baseball enthusiasts everywhere due to the Iron Horse’s unmatched combination of talent, class, and perseverance both on and off the field.
