The Atlanta Braves are one of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball, with a history spanning over 140 years. The franchise originated in Boston in the late 1800s as the Boston Red Stockings before eventually becoming the Boston Braves. While the team has called multiple cities home since then, their rich history has been captured through baseball cards from each era. Some of the oldest and most valuable Braves cards date back to the early 1900s when the team was still located in Boston.
One of the earliest Braves cards still around from that period is the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner card featuring Boston pitcher Vic Willis. The card is part of the iconic T206 set issued between 1909-1911 that is widely considered the most valuable collection of baseball cards ever produced. Only 60 copies of the Vic Willis card from this set are known to exist today in various conditions. High grade examples can sell for well over $100,000 making it one of the most valuable Braves cards ever made. Other key Braves included in the historic T206 set are Rabbit Maranville, Bill James, Rabbit Lavagetto, and Toots Shor. While not as scarce or valuable as the Vic Willis card, high quality examples can still fetch thousands of dollars.
Through the 1910s and 20s, the Boston Braves roster was featured in several prominent tobacco card sets of the time including Hassan Triple Fold (1915), Dutch Masters Cigars (1915-17), Sporting News Baseball Cards (1914-1931), and more. Players often seen in these sets include Casey Stengel, Dave Bancroft, Baby Doll Jacobson, George Cutshaw, and manager Bill McKechnie. Condition is critical for these early 20th century Braves cards as they were mass produced on thin paper stock over 100 years ago. Even low grade examples can be quite valuable simply due to their immense historical significance.
When the Great Depression hit in the late 1920s and early 1930s, it took a big toll on the tobacco card industry. The Goudey Gum Company released sets in 1933 and 1934 that helped restart baseball card production. The 1933 Goudey set included Braves stars like Billy Jenkins, Johnny Vergez, Lefty O’Doul, and Guy Bush. High grades of these keys can sell for $1,000+ today. An even more iconic Braves card from the 1930s is the Johnny Vergez card from the rare 1935 Diamond Stars set. Only 30-40 are known to exist in all grades making it one of the true Holy Grails for Braves collectors.
After moving to Milwaukee in 1953, the Braves franchise was featured in several iconic 1950s Topps sets that built the modern baseball card collecting hobby. Stars like Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews, Warren Spahn, and Red Schoendienst each have crucial rookie or early career cards from 1953 Topps or Bowman that are highlights for any collection. Topps continued dominance of the baseball card market through the 1960s saw legends like Joe Torre, Felipe Alou, and Donn Clendenon have affordable yet highly collectible cards produced. The 1969 Topps card of Hank Aaron surpassing Babe Ruth’s home run record remains an iconic snapshot of sports history captured in cardboard.
Fans in Atlanta got their first glimpse of the new home team after the Braves relocation in 1966. Topps, Fleer, and other major producers captured the inaugural season in Atlanta with affordable commons. Some harder to find promotional issues and oddities from that era have grown in prominence over the decades. The 1970s brought early stars like Dusty Baker, Gary Matthews, Gene Garber, and more greats with affordable issues from the era. Atlanta Stadium hosted many important events captured forever in players’ annual baseball card portraits through the decade until moving to their current home at Turner Field in 1997.
Decades of Braves franchise history has been beautifully encapsulated in cardboard going back over 100 years. From the rarest early tobacco issues in the T206 set to affordable modern rookie cards, Braves collectors have a deep pool of players, designs, and eras to explore. While six figure rarities certainly exist, there are affordable options across every period to enjoy appreciation of the Braves legendary past. The franchise’s roots in Boston and success in Milwaukee make for a truly historical collecting catalogue, expanded further by their popular modern dynasty years in Atlanta.
