1933 Goudey Card Set Overview

Card Specs: 2.38" x 2.88”  |  240 cards  |  Color  |  Classification: Candy/Gum  |  R319

The R319 1933 Goudey Gum set was a true hobby pioneer, establishing a blueprint trading card design and distribution.  The set includes 240 cards, including multiple versions for several players, most notably Babe Ruth (4) and Lou Gehrig (2). Hall of Famers like Mel Ott, Rogers Hornsby, Jimmie Foxx, Tris Speaker, and Dizzy Dean are also included in the star-studded release.

1933 Goudey Card Design

Straying from the portrait orientation and black & white/sepia color schemes of its tobacco and caramel predecessors, 1933 Goudey cards are slightly larger and closer to square in their dimensions.  

1933 R319 Babe Ruth #181 & Lou Gehrig #92

Players are shown in full color illustrations which can be either portrait-style or in an action pose. A Big League Chewing Gum banner is at the bottom, while the reverse side of each card includes a card number, brief player biography, and Goudey Gum Co. advertisement.

1933 Goudey cards can be easily mistaken for their Canadian companion, the R354 World Wide Gum cards, which featured identical player portraits, and are distinguished by “World Wide Gum” and  “Printed in Canada” labels in the advertising portion of the reverse.

Reverse comparison of Goudey vs World Wide Gum cards

1933 Goudey Card Distribution

Goudey baseball cards were distributed in “penny packs” of Big League Chewing Gum, and many kids bought the gum specifically for the card, hoping to land their favorite players or to complete a full set.  The achievement was a challenge, particularly because Napoleon Lajoie #106 was never included in gum packs, and could only be redeemed via mail to collectors who complained. 

1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie #106

Many believe this was intentional to influence more gum sales from ambitious set-builders.  Nevertheless, the 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie is one of the most significant short-prints of the pre-war era, joining Wagner and Plank from the T206 White Border set.

1933 Goudey Card Value

The four Babe Ruth cards and two Lou Gehrigs, along with the short-printed Nap Lajoie, will account for the vast majority of top 1933 Goudey card sales, with highly-graded versions easily achieving six-figures. Of the Ruth cards, #53 with the yellow background is considered the most valuable due to a combination of the iconic image, earliest print run, and condition challenges the bright background. 

1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #53

Low-grade legends like Mel Ott, Jimmie Foxx & Rogers Hornsby can command four-figures in low-grade, with the best-conditioned examples reaching $50,000 at auction.  Raw and poorly-graded common cards can be acquired for $10-$30, with values increasing into the hundreds as condition improves. 

Recent REA Auction 1933 Goudey Sales

1933 R319 Goudey #149 Babe Ruth PSA 8 - $396,000 - 2023 Fall Auction

1933 R319 Goudey #92 Lou Gehrig PSA 8- $162,000 - 2024 Spring Auction

1933 R319 Goudey #106 Nap Lajoie PSA 5 - $159,900 - 2025 Fall Auction

1933 R319 Goudey Near Complete Set - $15,600 - 2025 Summer Auction

FOR MORE AUCTION RESULTS, SEARCH "1933 GOUDEY" IN OUR AUCTION ARCHIVE

How to Sell 1933 Goudey Cards

The 1933 Goudey set is packed with legendary players, so it’s no surprise our bidding collectors find them highly desirable.  If you have anything from graded single hall of farmers, to a raw collection, our auction is the best platform for an outstanding consignment experience and top-dollar payout. Reach out today to connect with a specialist and learn if auction is right for your collection.