The 1933 Goudey baseball card set was the most essential set issued during the 1930’s, and likewise rather a leap of faith. As the printing presses were starting to produce these cards, the United States was in the worst part of The Great Depression. Issuing any new item was challenging.
The set is among the “Big 3” traditional baseball card sets, along with the T206 and 1952 Topps sets.
Today, cards in good condition command a premium, especially those validated and graded by respected third-party graders.
Not only featuring an iconic design, the 33 goudey set was the first cards to feature bubble gum in each pack. This tradition of having Gum with sports cards continued all the way through 1991 with Goudey passing off the torch to Topps.
The set features Baseball legends Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Lefty Grove, Jimmie Foxx, and Mel Ott.
It also has a ton of hall of famers littered throughout it.
In fact, about 25% of the cards are that of a hall of famer.
The 33 Goudey set can also be considered a living set like today as there were multiple print runs.
There were cards printed after the World Series similar to that of a topps traded or series 3 set.
Here are some additional facts about the cards:
- The set features minor leaguers
- The cards are in a smaller design then the modern day ones
- There are multiple designs
- There is a canadian version of the cards
- The cards were issued out of order
How to Tell a FAKE 1933 Goudey Baseball Card
Moe Berg was a spy for the US during World War 2 who ended up receiving the presidential medal of freedom.
It’s the only card to be featured at the CIA
Due to his legendary status outside of the game of baseball, this card has a large collector audience.
Most Valuable 1933 Goudey Baseball Cards
Benny Bengough #1
Bengough is not too notable of a player, however his card is the first in the set. Similar to the 1952 Topps set, the first card is the set (especially in great condition tends to hold value). He was on the Yankees for most of his career and won 3 world series with them.
Dazzy Vance #2
This card is towards the end of Vance’s career. He was a triple crown winner and his team ended up winning the World Series in 1934
Napoleon Lajoie #106
Nap Lajoie was retired when this card was produced. But it still doesn’t take away from how well he did in the league.
In 1901 he won the Triple Crown
He had a career .338 batting average
And accumulated 3200 hits
Along with over 100 WAR.
He was a superstar.
What makes this card special is that it technically didn’t exist in 1933.
See collectors complained to Goudey about a lack of card #106.
The set had printed out #144 Babe ruth twice instead of having card #106.
And in 1934 Goudey decided to print out #106 Napoleon Lajoie and send it to those who complained about the missing card.
Because many of the Lajoie cards were sent out with paper clips in the mail, lots of examples still reveal paper clip imprints.
Babe Ruth
#53
#144
#149
#181
Babe Ruth is the most famous player of all time. Considered the best & a Yankee legend, having any Ruth card is a great idea.
For the 1933 Goudey release, Babe Ruth has a total of 4 cards.
With #144 being the most common as it was double printed.
And #53 being printed the least amount of times.
The Yellow Ruth is the most desirable
Every one of them is desirable though, and if you can pick it up, you should.
The goudey Ruth’s are expensive, but a piece of American History.
Lou Gehrig #92 & #160
Lou Gehrig is almost as famous as Ruth.
While playing with Ruth, Gehrig made a lasting impact on the game.
He was named the Iron Horse as he always played in games and never took time off.
He had the consecutive game record until Cal Ripkin Jr broke it.
The two different 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig cards, #92 and #160 both feature the same design.
With both having the same print run, the values are about the same.
Moe Berg #158
Moe Berg was a spy for the US during World War 2 who ended up receiving the presidential medal of freedom.
It’s the only card to be featured at the CIA
Due to his legendary status outside of the game of baseball, this card has a large collector audience.
Jimmie Foxx #29 & #154
Foxx won the MVP award this year. During this season he had a .356 ERA and 48 home runs. This performance came one year after Foxx had a then MLB record 58 home runs
Dizzy Dean #223
Dean was one of the premier pitchers during this era. During 1933 he was entering his prime as he was the MVP in 1934. This is considered his first mainstream card
Mel Ott
#127
#207
Ott has two cards in this set: one batting and one portrait. During this year, his team won the world series. Ott was an all-star for most of his career. He doesn’t have too many accolades but amassed over 500 home runs, a batting average greater than .300, and a WAR of 110
Goose Goslin
#110
#168
Gooslin was a 1 time all-star and won 1 batting title. He won 2 World Series and this card was made towards the end of his playing day career.
Joe Cronin
#63
#109
#189
Cronin had the best year in his career during 1933. He finished 2nd in the MVP race. He had 45 doubles this year and batted over .300. Cronin was a hall of famer and 7 time all-star
Rogers Hornsby
#119
#188
Hornsby was one of the best players of this era. This card was made towards the end of his playing day career. He won the triple crown twice, MVP twice, and the World Series in 1926
Lefty O'Doul
#58
#232
Lefty O’doul was on the team that won the world series this year. This was his second to last year in the MBL and he has two cards in the set.
Bill Terry
#20
#125
He played on the World Series champion New York Giants. He was a three time all-star and his card was made towards the end of his career
Tris Speaker #89
The card does not depict Speaker in his playing day. He is one of the only players in this set that isn’t in his playing day (along with the Nap Lajoie redemption card and Eddie Collins). He was a 3 time World Series winner and MVP.
Hack Wilson #211
This card shows Wilson towards the end of his playing day career. He was a hall of famer who hit over .300 for his entire career.
Lefty Grove #220
Grove was a legendary pitcher who won two triple crowns and 2 world series in his career. He had 300 wins and an career ETA of 3.06.
Carl Hubbell
#230
#234
Hubbell was the MVP this year. He maintained a 1.66 ERA which was his career low. Hubble played for the Giants for his entire career
Eddie Collins #42
Eddie Collins won 6 World Series, was an MVP, and had a WAR of 124. This is not a playing day card for him, but it’s cool that he was featured
Paul Waner #25
Eddie Collins won 6 World Series, was an MVP, and had a WAR of 124. This is not a playing day card for him, but it’s cool that he was featured
1933 Goudey Baseball Card Checklist
1 Benny Bengough
2 Dazzy Vance
3 Hughie Critz
4 Heinie Schuble
5 Babe Herman
6 Jimmie Dykes
7 Ted Lyons
8 Roy Johnson
9 Dave Harris
10 Glenn Myatt
11 Billy Rogell
12 George Pipgras
13 Lafayette Thompson
14 Henry Johnson
15 Vic Sorrell
16 George Blaeholder
17 Watty Clark
18 Muddy Ruel
19 Bill Dickey
20 Bill Terry
21 Phil Collins
22 Pie Traynor
23 Kiki Cuyler
24 Horace Ford
25 Paul Waner
26 Bill Cissell
27 Sarge Connally
28 Dick Bartell
29 Jimmie Foxx
30 Shanty Hogan
31 Tony Lazzeri
32 Bud Clancy
33 Red Kress
34 Bob O’Farrell
35 Al Simmons
36 Tommy Thevenow
37 Jimmie Wilson
38 Fred Brickell
39 Mark Koenig
40 Taylor Douthit
41 Gus Mancuso
42 Eddie Collins
43 Lew Fonseca
44 Jim Bottomley
45 Larry Benton
46 Ethan Allen
47 Heinie Manush
48 Marty McManus
49 Frankie Frisch
50 Ed Brandt
51 Charlie Grimm
52 Andy Cohen
53 Babe Ruth
54 Ray Kremer
5 Pat Malone
56 Red Ruffing
57 Earl Clark
58 Lefty O’Doul
59 Bing Miller
60 Waite Hoyt
61 Max Bishop
62 Pepper Martin
63 Joe Cronin
64 Burleigh Grimes
65 Milton Gaston
66 George Grantham
67 Guy Bush
68 Hod Lisenbee
69 Randy Moore
70 Pete Scott
71 Bobby Burke
72 Ownie Carroll
73 Jesse Haines
74 Eppa Rixey
75 Willie Kamm
76 Mickey Cochrane
77 Adam Comorosky
78 Jack Quinn
79 Red Faber
80 Clyde Manion
81 Sam Jones
82 Dib Williams
83 Pete Jablonski
84 Glenn Spencer
85 Heinie Sand
86 Phil Todt
87 Frank O’Rourke
88 Russell Rollings
89 Tris Speaker
90 Jess Petty
91 Tom Zachary
92 Lou Gehrig
93 John Welch
94 Bill Walker
95 Alvin Crowder
96 Willis Hudlin
97 Joe Morrisey
98 Wally Berger
99 Tony Cuccinello
100 George Uhle
101 Richard Coffman
102 Travis Jackson
103 Earle Combs
104 Fred Marberry
105 Bernie Friberg
106 Nap Lajoie
107 Heinie Manush
108 Joe Kuhel
109 Joe Cronin
10 Goose Goslin
111 Monte Weaver
112 Fred Schulte
113 Ossie Bluege
114 Luke Sewell
115 Cliff Heathcote
116 Eddie Morgan
117 Rabbit Maranville
118 Val Picinich
119 Rogers Hornsby
120 Carl Reynolds
121 Lefty Stewart
122 Alvin Crowder
123 Jack Russell
124 Earl Whitehill
125 Bill Terry
126 Jo-Jo Moore
127 Mel Ott
128 Chuck Klein
129 Hal Schumacher
130 Freddie Fitzsimmons
131 Fred Frankhouse
132 Jim Elliott
133 Fred Lindstrom
134 Sam Rice
135 Woody English
136 Flint Rhem
137 Red Lucas
138 Herb Pennock
139 Ben Cantwell
140 Bump Hadley
141 Ray Benge
142 Paul Richards
143 Glenn Wright
144 Babe Ruth
145 Rube Walberg
146 Lefty Stewart
147 Leo Durocher
148 Eddie Farrell
149 Babe Ruth
150 Ray Kolp
151 Jake Flowers
152 Zack Taylor
153 Buddy Myer
154 Jimmie Foxx
155 Joe Judge
156 Danny Macfayden
157 Sammy Byrd
158 Moe Berg
159 Ossie Bluege
160 Lou Gehrig
161 Al Spohrer
162 Leo Magnum
163 Luke Sewell
164 Lloyd Waner
165 Joe Sewell
166 Sam West
167 Jack Russell
168 Goose Goslin
169 Tommy Thomas
170 Harry McGurdy
171 Charlie Jamieson
172 Pinky Hargrave
173 Roscoe Holm
174 Curly Ogden
175 Dan Howley MG
176 John Ogden
177 Walter French
178 Jackie Warner
179 Fred Leach
180 Eddie Moore
181 Babe Ruth
182 Andy High
183 Rube Walberg
184 Charlie Berry
185 Bob Smith
186 Johnny Schulte
187 Heinie Manush
188 Rogers Hornsby
189 Joe Cronin
190 Fred Schulte
191 Ben Chapman
192 Walter Brown
193 Lyn Lary
194 Earl Averill
195 Evar Swanson
196 Roy Mahaffey
197 Rick Ferrell
198 Jack Burns
199 Tommy Bridges
200 Bill Hallahan
201 Ernie Orsatti
202 Gabby Hartnett
203 Lon Warneke
204 Riggs Stephenson
205 Heinie Manush
206 Gus Suhr
207 Mel Ott
208 Bernie James
209 Dolf Luque
210 Virgil Davis R
211 Hack Wilson
212 Billy Urbanski
213 Sparky Adams
214 Buddy Kerr
215 Russ Van Atta
216 Vernon Gomez
217 Frankie Crosetti
218 Wes Ferrell
219 Mule Haas
220 Lefty Grove
221 Dale Alexander
222 Charlie Gehringer
223 Dizzy Dean
224 Frank Demaree
225 Billy Jurges
226 Charlie Root
227 Billy Herman
228 Tony Piet
229 Arky Vaughan
230 Carl Hubbell
231 Jo-Jo Moore
232 Lefty O’Doul
233 Johnny Vergez
234 Carl Hubbell
235 Freddie Fitzsimmons
236 George Davis
237 Gus Mancuso
238 Hughie Critz
239 Leroy Parmalee
240 Hal Schumacher
