Dale Murphy was a star center fielder for the Atlanta Braves from 1976 to 1993 who won back-to-back National League Most Valuable Player awards in 1982 and 1983. Murphy put together an outstanding 18-year MLB career and established himself as a true fan favorite, particularly in Atlanta. Given his popularity and success on the field during his prime years with the Braves, Murphy’s rookie cards and cards from the early 1980s are among the most valuable in the hobby.

To start, one of Murphy’s most coveted and expensive cards is his 1981 Topps Traded #T79 rookie card. This was Murphy’s true rookie card released by Topps after his breakout 1980 season where he hit 20 home runs and drove in 76 runs to finish third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. The 1981 Topps Traded set contained traded and rookie players not included in the main 1980 or 1981 Topps sets. Murphy’s rookie in this set is highly sought after by collectors. In near mint condition, a Dale Murphy 1981 Topps Traded rookie card can fetch over $2,000. If the card is graded mint or gem mint by a reputable cardgrading service like PSA or BGS, the value jumps significantly into the $3,000-$5,000 range or more depending on the exact grade. The ’81 Topps Traded set is considered one of the all-time great baseball card releases, and having one of the approximately 2,500 known Dale Murphy rookies from this set puts a collector in elite company.

Another hugely valuable Dale Murphy card is his 1982 Donruss #57 card from his MVP season. This was Murphy’s first regular Red Back card in the lead Donruss set after bursting onto the national scene. As with most stars’ early Donruss cards, they are quite scarce in high grades due to the poor quality control of the early Donruss cardboard. Because of Murphy specifically winning MVP in 1982, along with the overall rarity of high grade Donruss cards from the early 1980s, a PSA/BGS graded mint or gem mint 82 Donruss Murphy can be worth $1,500-$3,000 or more. These prized examples are truly trophies for any Murphy or Atlanta Braves collection.

Speaking of Murphy’s MVP seasons, his showcase cards from 1982 and 1983 Topps are essential for any collector of the talented outfielder. In PSA/BGS 9-10 mint condition, his ’82 regular Topps #489 card in which he is sporting his thick mustache and intense eyes can sell for around $400-$800 dollars or more depending on exact grade. The ’83 Topps #435 with Murphy pictured in a Braves away blue uniform can command similar prices. Of course, if a PSA/BGS black label “Gem Mint” 10 grade example surfaces of either the ’82 or ’83 Topps MVP year card, consignment prices would likely climb substantially into the multi-thousand dollar range or higher given how difficult it is to achieve the prestigious black label perfect grade. Ultimately, these MVP season cards affirming Murphy as a superstar are strong long-term portfolio pieces for any collections goals centered around the Atlanta player.

Another essential Dale Murphy rookie card is his 1975 Topps #500 issue from his true rookie season in the majors after being drafted 3rd overall in the secondary phase of the 1974 January draft out of high school in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. While not Murphy’s officialTopps rookie card since he did not make the main 1975 set, the ’75 Topps #500 is still considered a premier rookie card for collectors. He is pictured in a Philadelphia Phillies uniform from his brief September cup of coffee with the club during the ’75 season before being traded to the Atlanta Braves in November of that year. High grade examples of this Murphy preliminary rookie card in the PSA 7-9 range can sell for $150-$350 depending on condition factors. Cresting above the $500 price point would require a true gem mint PSA/BGS 10 candidate, making this a fairly scarce investment grade rookie option overall.

Shifting focus to Murphy’s post-prime years after Atlanta, two of his later cards have gained steam among collectors chasingCondition over the past 5-10 years. The 1987 Donruss #78 card stands out as one of Murphy’s better looking and more memorable vintage-style cards picturing him batting left-handed with a Braves uniform. Scarcity has driven values on high grade examples north, with PSA/BGS 9s now reaching into the $150 range on consignment. Perhaps more surprisingly, his final regular season card, the 1993 Upper Deck #326 has seen increased collector enthusiasm of late as well for either sentimental reasons tied to Murphy’s retirement or sheer scarcity relative to the massive print run sizes of early 1990s cards. A pristine PSA/BGS 10 gem mint graded example would likely transact for $400-$600 currently. This demonstrates how Condition and demand can create opportunities with even post-prime player cards given enough time.

In terms of modern Dale Murphy cards, there are a select few parallels and numbered versions from the past decade that command premium prices for superstar Murphy collectors. His 2013 Topps Archives Gold #62 parallel /50 for example has realized over $150 in auction sales. His 2011 Topps Update Gold #US284 parallel /50 pulled in similar money as well. For ultra-high end collectors, locating on-card autographs of Murphy from the 2000s and 2010s limited charter sets could cost thousands given the rarity involved as the Hall of Fame caliber player has signed sparingly in recent years. While the majority of Murphy’s modern issue base cards hold little long-term value, there are scarce parallels and autographs worth targeting to complement vintage holdings.

In conclusion, Dale Murphy’s starring run with the Atlanta Braves during the 1970s and 1980s produced several of the most acclaimed rookie cards and memorable issues in the hobby. From his true 1981 Rookie Card in Topps Traded, to defining cards like the 1982 and 1983 Topps MVP issues, to even choice selections from Murphy’s broader career, high grade vintage Dale Murphy cards represent prized keepsakes for dedicated Atlanta Braves PC builders and collectors appreciating stars of the era. By targeting Condition and understanding both rarity and demand drivers, smart strategies can be employed to build an elite vintage Murphy portfolio for the long haul. For fanatics of the accomplished player and legend of the game’s impact in his Atlanta heyday, his hallowed cards serve as true baseball memorabilia cherishing one of the NL’s brightest of that dynamic decade.