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BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE 1902 TO 1920

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Baseball cards were first introduced in the late 1800s as promotional inserts included in packs of cigarettes. During the early 1900s, the baseball card industry began to take shape. The cards from 1902 to 1920 represent some of the earliest decades of printed baseball cards and offer collectors a window into the evolution of the hobby during its formative years.

1902 to 1909

Some of the earliest baseball cards collectors seek today come from sets issued between 1902 and 1909. In 1902, American Tobacco Company released cards as inserts in packs of cigarettes and chewing tobacco. Known as the “White Border” set, it featured 101 total players across five series. Highlights include Honus Wagner and Nap Lajoie rookie cards.

Several other tobacco companies soon followed suit with their own baseball card issues in the early 1900s, including series released by Allen & Ginter in 1903 and 1909. The 1903 set is one of the most valuable in the hobby, with key cards including Wagner, Lajoie, and Cy Young often fetching six figures at auction in high grades.

1910 to 1914

In 1910, tobacco giant Topps released its famous “T206” set, considered one of the most iconic in sports card history. It featured over 500 total players across multiple series with variations. Key cards like the rare Wagner fetch millions in top condition.

Other notable issues of this period include the 1911 and 1912 Turkey Red Cabinets sets, featuring vividly colored tobacco ads on the fronts. High-grade examples of stars like Ty Cobb and Walter Johnson can sell for over $10,000.

The 1914 Cracker Jack set had early inserts added to Cracker Jack boxes. It marks one of the first mainstream releases beyond tobacco inserts. Rarer stars like Joe Jackson remain pricey at over $5,000 in top-rated condition.

1915 to 1919

World War I impacted the baseball card industry during the mid-1910s, as resources were diverted to the war effort. Some notable issues still emerged. In 1915, Sweet Caporal released cards as inserts with a patriotic theme.

In 1917, M101-8 cigarettes issued a set known as the “Play Ball” issue. It was one of the last tobacco-related releases before resources were fully committed to the war. Highlights include stars like Babe Ruth in his early Red Sox days.

After the war ended in 1918, production ramped up again. In 1919, the famous “Babe Ruth” card was issued as part of the landmark “1919 Sporting News” set. It was Ruth’s first card in a Boston uniform and one of the most iconic in the hobby, valued at over $250,000 in pristine condition today.

Pricing and Condition

When considering prices for early 20th century baseball cards, condition is absolutely critical. Even small bends, creases or edge wear can drastically cut into a card’s value. Only the sharpest examples tend to realize the highest prices.

For the rarest and most iconic cards from sets like T206, 1903 Goudey, and 1914 Cracker Jack, condition is everything. A PSA/BGS Gem Mint 10 card can sell for exponentially more than a lower grade example. Even small differences in centering, corners or surface affect value dramatically.

Common players from the era may have relatively affordable cards in lower grades. But the true stars have six and seven figure valuations for pristine, near-perfect specimens. Factors like player, set, position, and rarity all influence pricing.

Conclusion

The early 20th century represents the true origins of the baseball card collecting hobby. Sets from 1902 to 1920 introduced iconic players, teams, and brands that still resonate over 100 years later. For dedicated collectors, acquiring high-quality examples of the rarest cards from this seminal period can be a lifelong pursuit. Condition remains the ultimate arbiter of true value for these pioneering cardboard issues.

BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE 1920

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Baseball cards exploded in popularity in the late 19th century as printed cards inserted in tobacco products allowed companies to promote their brands while giving customers a fun collectible. By 1920, baseball cards had become a mainstream hobby for both children and adults across America. In this era before television and other forms of mass media, baseball cards were one way for fans to learn about their favorite players and connect with the national pastime.

The most popular and valuable baseball cards from 1920 come from two tobacco brands – T206 and Hassan Triple Fold. The T206 set, issued between 1909-1911 by the American Tobacco Company, features over 500 different baseball players. The 1920 season is the first year that Babe Ruth appears in the T206 set after breaking out as a star the previous year with the Boston Red Sox. His iconic portrait, showing his powerful physique and intense focus, makes him one of the most in-demand T206 cards to this day. In Near Mint condition, a 1920 Babe Ruth T206 card can sell for over $2.5 million, making it the most valuable baseball card of all-time based on sales records.

Other star players whose 1920 T206 cards hold immense value include Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and Honus Wagner. Cobb’s aggressive style of play made him a fan favorite, and his card regularly sells for $150,000-$250,000 in top grades. Walter Johnson’s dominance on the mound as a power pitcher for the Washington Senators gives his 1920 T206 card a price range of $75,000-$125,000. And the legendary Honus Wagner, whose career was winding down in 1920, has a card that still demands $500,000 even in low-end EX condition due to its scarcity and his iconic status in baseball history.

The other highly-coveted set from 1920 is Hassan Triple Fold cigarettes. Issued as three-panel “cards” that folded out, the Hassan set featured all 16 major league teams of the time. The most valuable from this set tend to be the more rare teams based on lower production runs, such as the Boston Braves and Philadelphia Athletics. In Near Mint condition, a 1920 Hassan Boston Braves triple fold can sell for over $25,000 today. Other top graded examples like the New York Giants or Chicago Cubs will range from $10,000 to $20,000.

While T206 and Hassan were the premier baseball card releases of 1920, there were also lesser known sets issued that year that hold value for dedicated collectors. Examples include Mayo Cut Plug Tobacco cards issued by Goodwin & Company. This 96-card set featured individual player portraits similar to T206. High grade examples of stars like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb in the Mayo set can sell for $3,000-$5,000. Another notable set is Sweet Caporal cigarettes, which issued cards as premiums that were essentially the same size as modern cards. A complete 1920 Sweet Caporal set in top condition would be worth $8,000-$12,000 for avid vintage collectors.

When examining prices for 1920 baseball cards, a key factor is the card’s condition or state of preservation. On the popular 1-10 grading scale used by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) and other third-party authentication companies, the difference between lower grades like Very Good (VG) to higher grades like Near Mint (NM) or Mint (MT) can mean a 10X or greater increase in value. For example, a 1920 Babe Ruth T206 card in VG condition might sell for $100,000, while that same card in NM/MT grade could reach the multi-million dollar range mentioned earlier. This condition premium holds true for all vintage cards going back to the early 20th century.

The 1920 season saw legendary players like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb start to transcend the sport and capture the national imagination. The tobacco cards released that year featuring these emerging icons have developed tremendous nostalgia and demand. For dedicated vintage baseball card collectors, high grade examples from the iconic T206 and Hassan Triple Fold sets remain the most coveted investments and collectibles over 100 years later. With strict population reports and mint state specimens becoming increasingly rare, prices for 1920 cards are likely to continue rising over time.

BASEBALL CARDS FROM 1920

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Baseball cards exploded in popularity in the early 20th century, and the 1920 season saw some of the earliest iconic cards produced. In the years following World War I, interest in the national pastime of baseball was growing tremendously across the United States. Card manufacturers like American Caramel saw an opportunity to capitalize on this enthusiasm by including baseball cards in their candy products.

The 1920 season was a significant one in major league baseball. Babe Ruth had just been traded from the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees and was beginning his legendary career dominating as a power hitter. This trade is now regarded as one of the most impactful in baseball history. Ruth’s dominant performance and home run prowess helped usher in the live-ball era and turn the Yankees into one of the most successful franchises in sports. His popularity translated to demand for his baseball cards.

Some of the most notable baseball card sets from 1920 included issues by American Caramel, Sweet Caporal Cigarettes, and Old Mill Cigarettes. The American Caramel set is considered one of the most iconic vintage issues. These cards featured individual player portraits on the front with no team logos or uniforms depicted. The backs contained basic stats and descriptions of each player. The 1920 American Caramel set had 48 total cards and featured some of the game’s biggest stars of the time like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Walter Johnson.

The 1920 Sweet Caporal set is also highly coveted by vintage baseball card collectors today. These cigarette cards came in packs of cigarettes and featured colorful team portraits on the front. The backs contained stats and biographical information. Notable stars in the set included Rogers Hornsby, Eddie Collins, and George Sisler. The Old Mill Cigarette issue from 1920 was similar in design and included 100 total cards highlighting players from that season. All three of these early 20th century sets are key pieces in the early history of baseball memorabilia and collectibles.

In addition to the factory-produced sets, regional businesses also printed their own baseball cards as promotions in 1920. For example, the Tip Top Bread Company based in Ohio produced a 48-card regional set that year featuring players from Midwestern teams. These localized issues provided additional exposure for baseball stars in different parts of the country. They also demonstrate how the sport’s popularity was growing well beyond just the major league cities on the East Coast at that time.

The condition and rarity of cards from 1920 sets make high-grade examples extremely valuable today. For the most desirable stars, even poorly-centered or damaged cards can sell for thousands of dollars due to their historical significance. Top PSA-graded gems of Babe Ruth or Ty Cobb from these early 20th century issues have reached auction prices over $100,000. The iconic images and statistical information captured in these early 20th century card sets help document a pivotal time in baseball’s growth into the national pastime. They also fueled the collecting phenomenon that has endured for over a century since.

While the specific players and teams have changed over time, the tradition of collecting baseball cards has remained a constant connection to the sport’s history. The 1920 season was a watershed year that helped spark that tradition. Legends like Babe Ruth were just beginning to make their marks but are immortalized in the cards produced that year. The factory and regional baseball card sets from 1920 established several of the key manufacturers and formats that expanded the hobby in subsequent decades. They remain some of the most significant and valuable collectibles for those interested in the early evolution of baseball and its ties to popular culture in America.

1920 BASEBALL CARDS FOR SALE

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The year 1920 was a landmark year in the early history of baseball card collecting. It was the first year that cards were mass-produced using chromolithography, allowing for colorful, photo cards to be created on a scale never seen before. Interestingly, while they paved the way for the golden age of baseball cards in the following decades, 1920 cards themselves remain quite scarce and collectible to this day.

There were two main sets of cards produced in 1920 – the American Caramel set and the Baseball Gum Co. set. Both featured colorful player photographs on the front with stats and biography on the back. The Caramel set had 168 cards while the Gum set had 48. Some of the biggest star players of the day like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Walter Johnson had multiple cards in different poses across the two sets, further increasing their rarity.

Given their prominence in advancing card production technology and featuring some of the first photos of all-time greats, 1920 cards hold significant historical value for many collectors. Their age of over 100 years also means few unopened packs or mint condition singles remain. As such, collectors seeking 1920 cards for sale will generally encounter well-worn examples that still provide glimpses into the early years of the game but showcase the effects of heavy circulation over a century ago.

Common condition issues include creases, corners rounded from years of handling, staining or discoloration from age and storage conditions, and rust or fading of original bold colors. Mint 9 or higher grades are extraordinarily rare finds. Even lower grade cards still evoke nostalgia and provide a tangible link to the game’s past that later replicated versions cannot match. While pricey for the condition, collectors still seek out surviving 1920s for their historical and aesthetic importance in the genre.

When available for purchase, expect 1920 baseball cards for sale to command significant premiums befitting their scarcity and collectible pedigree. Key stars like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb routinely sell for thousands even in poor condition due to enduring fan demand. Lessheralded players can still fetch hundreds for a decently preserved early photo. The rarer the version, team, or serial number variation – the higher the price tag tends to climb. Complete high-number sets in any state of preservation would be truly monumental finds worth six-figure sums or more.

Tools like eBay, heritage auctions, and specialty vintage retailers provide some of the best forums to monitor for potential 1920s entering the marketplace. Individual auction estimates often depend greatly on specific card and condition factors. Due diligence is advised when paying premium dollar amounts, including researching population reports, verifying authentic photos/grading if possible. Reproductions and forgeries using altered modern cards as a base do unfortunately exist in the space seeking to deceive collectors.

For budget-minded buyers, there are still affordable 1920 flavor available through commons, duplicates appearing with regularity, and lesser-known players. Condition and centering will likely remain very rough. Collectors just starting their vintage collections may opt to enjoy reproductions and higher-grade examples at more reasonable price points first before aspiring to condition-sensitive key 1920 rarities likely to remain out of reach financially for most. Overall, 1920 cards offer a unique window into early sports photography and the early stages of the modern collecting phenomenon.

The surviving examples of 1920 baseball cards for sale represent hugely important artifacts from the nascent dawn of modern baseball card production over a century ago. Their combination of historical significance, visual charm even in rough condition, and confirmed scarcity cemented by the passage of time ensures premium pricing continues for even the lowest graded specimens showing the ravages of a century of handling. With so few high-quality specimens believed left to still surface after all these years, this early condition-sensitive cardboard is truly a most rarefied collectible niche within the already selective world of vintage cards. Those with a passion for history and impeccable provenance will undoubtedly continue valuing these early cards and competition remains keen for any unleased onto the marketplace.

1920 BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1920 season saw baseball cards continue to grow in popularity during the deadball era of the sport. While the MLB season was significantly impacted by the onset of the 1918 flu pandemic which largely wiped out the 1919 season, baseball still remained America’s pastime. Fans eagerly collected cards featuring their favorite players as a way to remain connected to the national sport.

The 1920 season marked the peak of the deadball era in baseball history. Rule changes instituted in the deadball era favored pitching and defense over hitting in an effort to decrease game lengths and increase attendance. These rules included smaller balls that were harder to hit long distances, higher mounds that pitchers threw from, and larger gloves for fielders. As a result, scoring and offensive numbers plummeted across the league. The deadball era allowed pitchers to dominate games unlike any other time in baseball’s history.

Major League Baseball saw two new franchises join the league in 1920 with the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago White Sox, expanding the AL to 8 teams. Longtime star Babe Ruth was traded from the Red Sox to the New York Yankees in one of the most impactful trades in MLB history. Ruth immediately became the new face of baseball by leading the league in home runs and RBIs. Despite the lingering impact of the 1918 flu pandemic which caused cancelled games and roster shortages, attendance rebounded strongly after the disrupted 1919 season with over 10 million fans attending MLB games in 1920.

Trading card manufacturers continued meeting the growing demand among baseball fans to collect cards of their favorite players and teams. The most prominent producers of 1920 baseball cards included American Caramel, Sweet Caporal, Candy Cigarette, and Mecca cigarette companies. These companies included single player or team cards within tobacco products like cigarettes or candy to incentivize purchases from children and adults alike. Overall design and production quality of 1920 cards improved from the era’s early tetds. but cardboard stock remained thin and images were still primarily basic black and white renderings.

Some of the most notable and valuable players featured on 1920 baseball cards included Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Honus Wagner, Rogers Hornsby, and Tris Speaker, who were among the games’ biggest stars at the time. Rookie cards were produced for future Hall of Famers like Charlie Grimm, Waite Hoyt, and Goose Goslin. Top teams of 1920 like the Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox, and Indians had full team sets within various card issues. Due to the significant rule and style differences of the deadball era, many 1920 baseball cards provide a unique look at how the early game was played in a time before large stadiums, night games, and power hitters took over.

Among the most significant producers of 1920 baseball cards was American Caramel, who issued cards 53-120 exclusively featuring players from the American League. Each player received their own individualized card stock image in either a blue or buff colored border. The rear of each card was left blank rather than including any stats or biographical information on the featured players. Another highly popular 1920 issue was issued by Sweet Caporal Cigarettes, featuring individual cards of star players from both the AL and NL within cigarette packaging and promotions.

While production quality and design was still simplistic compared to later decades, 1920 baseball cards are highly valued today among collectors for capturing a unique period in baseball’s development. In particular, rookie cards forfuture legends and complete team sets provide an unmatched snapshot of the deadball era. Top graded 1920 singles can fetch amounts over $10,000 due to their scarcity and historical significance depicting the sport in its purest early form. Sets are even rarer to find fully intact with all included players due to age and how the cards were distributed leading some pristine 1920 sets to sell for upwards of six figures at auction.

For dedicated baseball memorabilia collectors, owning an original 1920 Babe Ruth card or complete set provides a tangible link to one of the most pivotal players and seasons that truly transformed America’s pastime. Though challenges remain conserving the fragile 71-100 year old cardboard, growing preservation efforts have kept more 1920s cards available for modern fans seeking a peek into baseball’s formative early 20th century years. When factoring in accruing rarity and demand and the legendary stars and storylines featured, 1920 issues maintain importance as some of the most iconic and valuable vintage cards in the entire hobby.

1920 ROOKIE BASEBALL CARDS

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The year 1920 was an exciting one for baseball cards and marked the debut of many future Hall of Famers. The growing popularity of collecting baseball cards in the early 20th century led cigarette and candy companies to include them as incentives in their products. Baseball cards from the 1920 season provide a glimpse at the ascendant talents who would go on to define that era in Major League Baseball.

One of the most notable rookies of 1920 was George Herman “Babe” Ruth. After debuting as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox in 1914, Ruth transitioned to playing outfield and became one of the game’s first true home run hitters. 1920 was Ruth’s first full season with the New York Yankees after being sold by the Red Sox. That year, he belted an astonishing 54 home runs which stood as a new single-season record. Ruth’s rookie cards from 1920, whether produced by American Caramel, Mayo Cut Plug, or White Borax Soap, have become some of the most coveted and valuable vintage cards in the hobby given his transformation into “The Bambino.” Graded PSA 8 examples of his 1920 Yankees cards can fetch over $100,000 at auction.

Another future Hall of Famer who debuted in 1920 was Rogers Hornsby. Though he played primarily second base, the “Rajah” was known for his mastery at the plate. As a rookie for the St. Louis Cardinals that season, Hornsby batted an incredible .373 with 7 home runs and 59 RBI in only 82 games. His early 1920s cards produced by carton divisions of American Caramel and M101-5 Cigarettes have also retained significant collector interest. Complete sets including his Commons are valued over $10,000 when pristine.

Along with Ruth and Hornsby, other 1920 rookie cards that have remained icons of the hobby include Earle Combs, Waite Hoyt, Herb Pennock, and George Sisler. “Earl” Combs debuted as a center fielder for the New York Yankees, batting .285 in his first season. His 1920 Yankee cards from Nobs and T206 brands are among the most famous and collectible of the early 20th century. Pennock was also a pitcher for the Yankees during their dynastic period, winning 20 games in 1920. His rare cards are treasures for Yankee completionists.

Hoyt also broke into the majors as a pitcher for Babe Ruth’s Yankees in 1920. Though traded later in his career, Hoyt was an instrumental part of New York’s early championship cores. His 1920 cards from iconic tobacco issues like T206, Hassan Triple Fold, and Gray Background are prized by collectors. George Sisler began his Hall of Fame first baseman career with the St. Louis Browns in 1915, but 1920 was his true breakout season. That year, Sisler batted an amazing .407 to claim his sole batting title. His 1920 Sporting Life and T206 Browns rookies are among the most beautifully designed and desired of the time period.

Several players who debuted in 1920 went on to have successful careers, though were ultimately overlooked for the Hall of Fame. Waite Hoyt’s teammate Herb Pennock posted 20 wins himself that season for the Yankees at age 29. His 1920 cards today remain underappreciated finds for collectors. Cleveland Indians second baseman Bill Wambsganss had his one moment of baseball immortality in 1920 by performing an unassisted triple play against the Red Sox. His career was otherwise unspectacular, yet his 1920 cards as an Indian rookie are a fun conversation piece. Benny Kauff broke in as a center fielder for the Brooklyn Robins and was a speedster on the basepaths, but was banned from baseball later due to gambling associations. His 1920 cards featuring Kauff with Brooklyn provide historical intrigue.

The 1920 season saw clubs dealing with the aftermath of the infamous Black Sox Scandal which engulfed the 1919 World Series. Many players used the opportunity to cement their reputations as the game sought to regain credibility. Legends like Babe Ruth, Rogers Hornsby, Earle Combs, and George Sisler established themselves as above suspicion and pillars of the sport through both their performance and character. Their rookie cards from that transformative campaign are touchstones commemorating baseball’s renewal. While not all debuted players went on to sustained stardom, 1920 cards provide a window into hopeful beginnings and the uncertain nature of professional sports. They capture a time when the future paths of athletes were unwritten and anything seemed possible on the diamond.

In summarizing, the 1920 baseball rookie cards of Babe Ruth, Rogers Hornsby, Earle Combs, Waite Hoyt, Herb Pennock, and George Sisler stand out as some of the most iconic and valuable issues ever produced due to the legendary careers of those players. Their early cards not only commemorate formative major league debuts but also baseball’s resurgence after the 1919 scandal. Whether Piedmonts, Meminns, or T206s, 1920 rookie cards transport collectors back to an auspicious season that introduced enduring talents who helped popularize America’s pastime. They are tangible remnants of the dawn of a new “Golden Age” in baseball’s history.