Tag Archives: 1939

BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE 1939

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1939 was a monumental year for baseball cards. It marked the beginning of the modern era of baseball cards as companies like Goudey and Play Ball started mass producing cards with gum and candy. These sets featured colorful photographs on the front of each card and basic stats or career highlights on the back.

One of the most iconic and valuable sets from 1939 is the Goudey Baseball Card set. It featured 161 total cards split between two series. The first series had cards numbered 1-75 and featured players from the American League. The second series had cards 76-161 and featured players from the National League. Some of the biggest stars featured included Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Dizzy Dean, and Mel Ott.

In pristine gem mint condition, the rarest and most valuable cards from the 1939 Goudey set can fetch six figure prices. The Babe Ruth card in a PSA 10 grade is valued around $350,000-$450,000. A Lou Gehrig in the same grade would sell for $150,000-$200,000. Other highly valuable and rare cards include the Dizzy Dean (#74) at $30,000-$40,000 in PSA 10 grade and Mel Ott (#142) at $20,000-$30,000 in PSA 10 grade.

For high grade copies in PSA 8 or 9 condition, the Babe Ruth is valued around $75,000-$100,000 in PSA 8 and $150,000-$200,000 in PSA 9. The Lou Gehrig falls in the $30,000-$50,000 range for PSA 8 and $75,000-$100,000 for PSA 9. Most other star players from the set in top grades would sell in the $5,000-$15,000 range depending on condition and player.

The 1939 Goudey set also featured many stars who had retired just a few years prior or would retire within a few years. Hall of Famers like Eddie Collins, Tris Speaker, and Nap Lajoie are quite rare and valuable in high grades as well. Their cards in PSA 8 or better condition could sell for $3,000-$7,000 depending on the specific player.

Other notable sets from 1939 included the Play Ball Cracker Jack set, M101-8 Goudey/Admiral set, and Leaf Candy set. The Play Ball featured players like Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, and Bob Feller. In top PSA grades, their cards sell for $1,000-$3,000 each. The M101-8 set is less common and features many of the same players as Goudey but in different poses. High graded stars could sell for $2,000-$5,000 each. The Leaf Candy set is quite rare complete and features players like Dizzy Dean. Their cards have values ranging from $500 to $2,000 based on condition and player.

In terms of lower graded copies and common players, there is still value to be found in 1939 sets even if they are not gem mint. A 1939 Goudey Babe Ruth in PSA 5 condition recently sold for over $15,000. Most star players would sell for $500-$2,000 in PSA 5 range. More common players may only fetch $50-$150 in similar lower grades. Complete sets in any grade also hold value, often selling for several thousand dollars even for low-end assembled sets.

When considering prices, there are a few other factors that impact values such as card centering, corners, edges and surface issues. Receiving the exact PSA grade is also important as one point can mean a thousands of dollars difference between an 8.5 vs. 9 grade. Population reports which track census data are another valuable tool for researchers and investors. In the end, 1939 remains one of the most iconic years for baseball cards and sets continue to excite collectors nearly 80 years later. With prices reaching record highs, it’s clear that the golden age cards from the late 1930s capture the imagination of the hobby.

The 1939 baseball card market offers incredible investment opportunities and collectibles for fans of the game. Sets like Goudey, Play Ball, and others provide access to some of the greatest players who ever lived. With values of key cards reaching into the hundreds of thousands, it’s a reminder of how influential these early cardboard issues have become. Whether seeking common players, complete sets, or gem mint stars, 1939 remains a pinnacle year that continues to engage collectors.

1939 PLAY BALL BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1939 Play Ball baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable vintage card issues in the hobby. Produced by the National Chicle Company as part of their Play Ball gum promotions, the 1939 set is historic as it was the first card series to feature all 16 major league teams from that season. Prior Play Ball issues from 1938 and earlier only featured a selection of teams.

The 1939 Play Ball set contains 126 cards in the regular issue. Each card features a colorful action photo of a notable player from that season on the front and stats on the back. Some key things that make the 1939s highly valuable include the fact they were only distributed regionally, so finding a fully complete set in high grade is extremely difficult.It was the last Play Ball issue before World War 2 gum rationing impacted baseball card production greatly.

One of the main chase cards of the set is the Hank Greenberg card. Greenberg, who played for the Detroit Tigers, was one of the premier power hitters of his era and is still considered one of the best Jewish players in baseball history. His 1939 Play Ball card is the true star of the set and high grade examples can sell for over $10,000 individually. Other star players with valuable cards include Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, and Bob Feller.

Some other factors that contributed to the scarcity and demand for the 1939 Play Ball cards include:

Limited Distribution: Play Ball cards were inserted randomly in packs of gum sold predominantly on the East Coast of the United States. Finding a complete set kept in high grade from limited distribution over 80 years ago is no easy feat.

World War 2 Impact: The outbreak of World War 2 in 1940 led to rationing of products like gum base, severely limiting baseball card production for the duration of the war. The 1939 issue was the last “high production” set before this occurred.

Poor Long Term Storage: Many early 20th century cards were not properly stored or taken care of long term compared to modern standards. This plus the effects of time have greatly reduced Survivor Populations grades of high grade.

Iconic Era Immortalized: The 1939 season captured legends like Williams, DiMaggio, Greenberg, and Feller during the prime of their careers. Collectors prize relics capturing the “Golden Age” of the game.

First to Feature All Teams: Being the initial Play Ball set to showcase every MLB franchise increased its historical value versus prior regional issues.

Iconic Design: The colorful action photography and retro look of the 1939 Play Ball card design remains a classic and fan favorite over 80 years later.

In the mid-1980s, the 1939 Play Ball set became a prime target for collectors as the postwar vintage boom took hold. With fewer than a dozen complete high grade sets believed left in existence, individual cards now sell for thousands based on condition and player. The total value of a completed near-mint 1939 Play Ball set today would easily top $100,000.

Grading and authenticity have become extremely important for 1939 Play Ball cards to guarantee value. Third-party authentication and grading services like PSA and SGC provide certification to differentiate restored or fake cards. Even low-grade examples still sell for hundreds due to their fleeting availability after decades of use and loss since initial distribution.

For dedicated baseball card collectors and historians, finding that elusive high-grade 1939 Play Ball Hank Greenberg or Ted Williams is the Holy Grail. As one of the earliest examples of the modern baseball card hobby, the historical and monetary value of this seemingly simple gum promotion from 1939 will likely continue appreciating for decades to come. The 1939 Play Ball set immortalized the Golden Age of baseball at its peak and remains a cornerstone of the collectibles industry eight decades later.