Tag Archives: 1935

1935 DIAMOND STARS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1935 Diamond Stars baseball card set holds an important place in the history of vintage baseball cards as one of the last pre-war card issues and one of the rarest and most valuable sets from the 1930s. Published by Diamond Stars Gum Company in 1935, the set features players from both the National and American Leagues along with other notable major leaguers from that era. While not as historic and famous as the iconic T206 and 1909-1911 T3 cabinets cards, the 1935 Diamond Stars have grown in popularity in recent decades due to their scarcity.

Only 16 cards make up the complete 1935 Diamond Stars set and they are considered among the rarest and most valued from the 1930s. The sets low production volume can be attributed to the Great Depression’s impact on the sports card industry at the time. When the 1935 issue was released, America was still in the midst of economic turmoil following the stock market crash of 1929. Demand for baseball cards may have been down and fewer packs and boxes were printed as a result. The Diamond Stars Gum company did not have as large of a distribution network or dedicated following as some of the other bigger card manufacturers of the day such as American Caramel, Goudey, or Play Ball.

All of the 1935 Diamond Stars cards have colorful lithographed illustrations of players on the front with statistics and factoids printed on the back. The cards stock is thinner than issues from previous decades, a telltale sign of efforts to cut costs during difficult financial times. Despite using cheaper materials, the vintage artwork and photography utilized remain high quality. Some of the biggest stars of the 1930s featured include Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmy Foxx, Chuck Klein, and Lefty Gomez. Rarer short prints also exist of players such as Earl Averill, Freddie Lindstrom, and Roy Parmelee. Grading services have verified population reports showing remarkably few high graded examples exist of each different 1935 Diamond Stars card.

Condition is always paramount when it comes to the value of any vintage issue but it takes on even greater importance for these ultra scarce 1930s cardboard relatives. Slight flaws can diminish an otherwise amazing card from this set while examples still in the crisp near mint state they left the pack decades ago are simply unheard of outside of the most elite collections. In the current trading card market, mid-grade seven’s can easily clear five figures at auction due to their extensive thinning from use, wear and tear over eighty plus years. Truly pristine gems which preserve that never-handled virginal state fetch astronomical sums.

In 2011, a PSA 8 Babe Ruth from the 1935 Diamond Stars set sold at auction for $182,750, setting a record for the series. Other Hall of Fame players like Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Cochrane, and Lefty Gomez continue appreciating greatly in value as well, especially in higher grades. Even lesser known short prints are beginning to gain more attention from currency collectors. For example, a 1974 PSA-graded Earl Averill showing only moderate play sold privately in 2014 for $21,000 demonstrating the tremendous upside remaining for uncovering overlooked issues in exceptional condition from this exceedingly sparse seventy-five year old gum card release.

Today, the 1935 Diamond Stars cards exist as treasured keepsakes of baseball’s glory years for the fortunate few who possess them. Their scarcity and place as one of the last pre-World War II productions make each surviving specimen all the more desirable to vintage paper aficionados. With so few survivors to supply an ever-growing demand, prices will likely continue an upward trajectory, though acquiring high grade examples grows exponentially tougher. Now listed on the Professional Sports Authenticator’s most valuable sets list, these octogenarian cards exemplify both the human fascination with card collecting and the financial potential dormant in a simple packet of forgotten chewing gum rewards from over eighty years ago. Through appreciation events like PSA’s recent population report, the 1935 Diamond Stars are assured an honored position within the expansive history of American baseball memorabilia for generations to come.

BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE 1935

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Baseball cards from 1935 hold significant nostalgia and value for collectors today. The 1935 baseball card set marked several important transitions in the hobby. Goudey Gum Company produced the set that year as other manufacturers withdrew from the baseball card market during the Great Depression. Understanding the rarity and condition factors that influence 1935 baseball card prices can help collectors appreciate these vintage pieces of sports history.

Goudey produced several different series of cards in the 1930s, with the most notable being their 1933 and 1935 sets. In 1935, they released two parallel sets – a base set of 261 cards and a “premium” set featuring star players on gray backing. Both sets featured colorful player portraits on the fronts with stats and career highlights on the backs. With other companies like American Caramel no longer printing cards, Goudey had the baseball card market largely to itself in 1935.

Condition is the biggest determinant of value for any collectible, and 1935 baseball cards are no exception. The cards were quite fragile even when new due to the thin paper stock used. Over 85 years of potential wear and tear, it’s remarkable that any 1935 cards still exist in high grades. On the PSA and BGS grading scales which rank condition from 1 to 10, even a 4 or 5 is considered very nice for a card from this era. Mint condition 8s and 9s fetch astronomical prices due to their great rarity.

For the base 261-card set, common players in low grades might sell for $50-100. Star players can reach $500-1000 depending on condition and player. But mint examples of the biggest stars like Lou Gehrig, Dizzy Dean, and Mel Ott can sell for $10,000+ due to their extreme scarcity. The gray-backed “premium” set cards are also more valuable, with common players starting around $150-250 and stars above $1000 even in lower grades. Complete base sets in any grade are also highly valuable, priced well into the five figures.

Several factors beyond just condition contribute to the wide range of 1935 baseball card values. Player performance and fame levels obviously impact price, with batting champions, MVPs, and Hall of Famers at the top of the scale. Some players have additional rarity factors – for example, Dizzy Dean’s card was inadvertently omitted from the base set, making his version much scarcer. Subtle variations in card design, including different uniform poses, also affect scarcity and price.

The massive growth of the sports memorabilia market from the 1980s onward created huge new demand for vintage cards that has driven prices up dramatically. Population reports from grading services provide useful guides – if a graded 9 is one of a handful known to exist, its rarity makes it exponentially more valuable. Cards showing signs of doctoring like trimming, coloring, or restoration also suffer diminished value versus honest survivors no matter the assigned grade.

For collectors, finding choice 1935 baseball cards in any original condition remains a real challenge. The set was produced during a time of immense hardship for many Americans that likely led to the loss and damage of many early cards. Those that have survived over 85 years of history intact are national treasures of sports collecting. Understanding the factors of rarity, condition, and player significance that move the price scale for these vintage pieces is key to appreciating their value as windows into American culture and our national pastime. Whether spent or saved, 1935 baseball cards remain iconic representations of baseball’s Golden Age that still captivate collectors today.

Condition is paramount for 1935 baseball cards as with any vintage issue. Scarcity due to rarity of high grades, particular players, and subtle variations all impact price. Understanding population data and authenticity signs also informs valuation of these early Goudey issues that started the modern baseball card era. With appropriate research, collectors can feel confident navigating the range of values for these beloved pieces of sports and cultural history.