The Allure of Jackie Robinson Baseball Cards
Jackie Robinson wasn’t just a phenomenal baseball player; he was a trailblazer who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. His impact on the game and society extends far beyond the field, and that’s precisely why his baseball cards are some of the most sought-after pieces of memorabilia in the collecting world.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a casual fan, the allure of owning a piece of Robinson’s history is undeniable.
A Range of Valuable Cards
From his second-issue 1949 Bowman card, boasting a striking red background that contrasts perfectly with his Dodgers uniform, to his final 1955 Topps card, released the year the Brooklyn Dodgers clinched the World Series, each card tells a story.
Some of these cards, like his 1952 Topps and 1948 Leaf rookie card, have reached astronomical values at auction, pushing well past the half-million-dollar mark. The condition of these cards varies, but collectors are willing to pay a premium even for lower-grade examples, as evidenced by surprising sales of PSA 1.5 and PSA 4 cards from his Dramatic Debut #3.
The Rarity and Condition Sensitivity
It’s not just about rarity—though that certainly plays a role. Cards like the 1950 Bowman and 1952 Berk Ross cards are highly valued due to their condition sensitivity, making high-grade examples exceedingly rare.
Moreover, certain sets have artistic or historical significance. Take the 1953 Topps set, for example, where the player photos were individually hand-painted, elevating them to the status of art.
More Than Just Collectibles: A Tribute to an American Legend
Without a doubt, the demand for Jackie Robinson cards transcends the usual collector’s chase. It’s a quest for pieces of history, snapshots of a man who changed the game and the nation.
Here, we delve into the top 11 most valuable Jackie Robinson baseball cards, each a coveted treasure in its own right, each a tribute to a true American legend.
Your Journey Through Time and Cardboard Awaits
So sit tight, we’re about to take you on a journey through time and cardboard, from Robinson’s groundbreaking early years to his iconic final seasons. Whether you’re an investor, a collector, or simply an admirer of Jackie Robinson, there’s something here for everyone.
Without any further ado, let’s jump into the list!
1956 Topps Jackie Robinson #30
- Grade: PSA 9
- Auction House: Heritage Auctions
- Sale Date: November 2022
- Sale Price: $66,000
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Market Analysis: 1956 Topps Jackie Robinson Baseball Card #30
- Supply: PSA has graded 8,556 of the 1956 Topps Jackie Robinson cards with none grading gem mint 10, 26 mint 9, 444 NM-MT 8 and the remaining Nm 7 or less.
1955 Topps Jackie Robinson #50
- Grade: PSA 9
- Auction House: Memory Lane, Inc.
- Sale Date: October 2023
- Sale Price: $72,198
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Market Analysis: 1955 Topps Jackie Robinson Baseball Card #50
- Supply: PSA has graded 6,520 of the 1955 Topps Jackie Robinson cards with 1 grading gem mint 10, 24 mint 9, 210 NM-Mt 8, and the remaining NM 7 or less.
- PSA 9 Value:
- PSA 8 Value:
🔥 The Best 1955 Topps Baseball Cards – Highest Selling Prices
1954 Topps Jackie Robinson #10
- Grade: PSA 9
- Auction House: Heritage Auctions
- Sale Date: May 2023
- Sale Price: $87,000
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Market Analysis: 1954 Topps Jackie Robinson Card #10
Supply: PSA has graded 6,215 of the 1954 Topps Jackie Robinson cards with none grading gem mint 10, 23 mint 9, 173 NM-MT 8 and the remaining NM 7 or less.
- PSA 9 Value:
- PSA 8 Value:
- PSA 8 sold by PWCC Auctions in November 2023 for $5,880
🔥 The Best 1954 Topps Baseball Cards – Highest Selling Prices
1953 Topps Jackie Robinson #1
- Grade: PSA 8
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: July 2023
- Sale Price: $29,400
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Market Analysis: 1953 Topps Jackie Robinson Card #1
Supply: PSA has graded 4,035 of the 1953 Topps Jackie Robinson cards with 1 grading gem mint 10, 8 mint 9, 69 NM-MT 8 and the remaining NM 7 or less.
- PSA 8 Value:
- PSA 7 Value:
🔥 The Best 1953 Topps Baseball Cards – Highest Selling Prices
1952 Topps Jackie Robinson #312
- Grade: PSA 8
- Auction House: Memory Lane, Inc.
- Sale Date: May 2023
- Sale Price: $104,779
➡️ Check The Value Of This 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson Baseball Card On eBay
Market Analysis: 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson Baseball Card #312
- Supply: PSA has graded 1,398 of the 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson cards with none grading gem mint 10, 11 mint 9, 45 NM-MT 8 and the remaining NM 7 or less.
- PSA 8 Value:
- PSA 7 Value:
🔥 The Best 1952 Topps Baseball Cards – Highest Selling Prices
#7
1952 Berk Ross Jackie Robinson
PSA 9 Value: $96,000
1952 Berk Ross Jackie Robinson Baseball Card
The 1952 Berk Ross set is another classic, featuring baseball legends like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, and Ted Williams. Jackie Robinson’s card in this set is particularly dynamic, showing him mid-air, fully stretched out to make a catch in the outfield.
Interestingly, the card lists his height as 5’11”, which is actually an inch shorter than his real height of 6 feet. So, whether you’re a casual collector or someone looking at cards as an investment, the 1952 Jackie Robinson Berk Ross card is both a unique and valuable piece to consider.
1952 Berk Ross Jackie Robinson Baseball Card Value
When it comes to grading, PSA has only evaluated 238 of these Jackie Robinson Berk Ross cards. None have achieved gem mint status, but three were graded as mint 9 and 21 as near mint to mint. These numbers alone tell you how rare high-quality examples are.
Now, let’s talk sales and value. A PSA 9 example was auctioned off by Heritage Auctions in May 2022 for a whopping $96,000. In contrast, a PSA 8 card sold for $18,600. This sizable price gap underscores just how much a card’s condition can impact its market value.
#6
1950 Bowman Jackie Robinson #22
PSA 9 Value: $117,000
1950 Bowman Jackie Robinson Baseball Card
The 1950 Bowman set has the distinction of featuring Jackie Robinson’s first full-body image on a card. It’s his third card in regular issues and the second one by Bowman. And let’s not forget, this set is loaded with other Hall of Famers like Joe DiMaggio, Warren Spahn, Ted Williams, and Duke Snider. This makes it a must-have for serious collectors.
What is the value of a 1950 Bowman Jackie Robinson Card?
So, what’s the current market value of a 1950 Bowman Jackie Robinson card? To get an idea, let’s first look at PSA grading stats. Out of 1,494 graded cards, one managed to score a gem mint grade, twelve are mint, and 48 are near mint to mint.
In terms of recent sales, a PSA 9 example was auctioned off for a record-setting $117,000 by Heritage Auctions in November 2021. This was up from $95,859 just eight months prior when Memory Lane sold the same grade card. With only twelve PSA 9 cards out there, it’s anyone’s guess what the next one might go for.
On a slightly more affordable note, PSA 8 cards generally sell for between $27,000 and $33,000, while a PSA 7 can bring in around $10,000 or more at auction. If you’re not concerned with grading, you can find ungraded examples on eBay for anywhere between $600 and $1,200, depending on their condition.
#5
1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson #50
PSA 9 Value: $360,000
1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson Baseball Card
Jackie Robinson’s 1949 Bowman card is his second regular issue card, and let me tell you, it’s a stunner. The mix of Robinson’s dark skin, the vibrant red background, the dark blue Dodgers cap, and his white jersey all make for a striking visual contrast. The Dodgers logo on the jersey also really pops, adding another layer of flair.
This card, along with his 1948 Leaf rookie card, is truly top-tier in the realm of Jackie Robinson collectibles. Both collectors and investors are eager to get their hands on these, and the soaring auction prices prove it.
What is the value of a 1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson Card?
So, how valuable is a 1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson card? To get a sense, let’s dig into the PSA grading data. As it stands, PSA has graded 1,693 of these cards. Interestingly, none have achieved a gem mint grade. Only twelve are mint, and 115 are in near mint to mint condition. The grade you’ll encounter most often is PSA 5, with 210 examples.
When it comes to recent sales, a PSA 9 example of this card fetched a jaw-dropping $360,000 at Heritage Auctions in November 2021. But hold onto your hat—this isn’t even the record price for this card! A PSA 9 version sold for an eye-watering $522,750 at Goldin Auctions in April 2021.
To put that into perspective, just a year earlier, a PSA 9 was setting records at $55,200. So, yeah, you could say the value of the 1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson card has skyrocketed—right through the stratosphere!
#4
1947-66 Exhibits Jackie Robinson
PSA 8 Value: $7,521
1947-66 Exhibits Baseball Card Set
The 1947-66 Exhibits set is a fascinating collection spanning two decades, produced by the Exhibit Supply Company out of Chicago, Illinois. The set consists of more than 330 cards, each measuring 3-3/8 inches by 5-3/8 inches.
Made from heavy cardboard stock, these black-and-white cards are postcard-sized, unnumbered, and have blank backs. Jackie Robinson appears in the collection one time.
1947-66 Exhibits Jackie Robinson Baseball Card Value
PSA graded 375 of the Jackie Robinson 1947-66 exhibit cards. None are gem mint, one is mint and six are near mint to mint condition. The value of the 1947 Exhibits Jackie Robinson card varies depending on the condition.
The highest-selling card so far is a PSA 8 example that sold in May 2022 for $7,521. Ungraded cards sell between $100-$500 depending on the condition.
#3
1948 Swell Sport Thrills Jackie Robinson
PSA 6 Value: $8,400
1948 Sport Thrills Jackie Robinson Baseball Card Set
The 1948 Swell Sport Thrills set is a 20-card set measuring 2-7/16″ x 3″. Each card contains the National Pastime’s most thrilling moments up to the post-war. Jackie Robinson’s card showcases his “Dramatic Debut” with the Brooklyn Dodgers as he made Rookie of the Year in 1947. Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Lou Gherig are some other legends featured in the set.
1948 Sport Thrills Jackie Robinson Baseball Card Value
PSA has graded 224 of the Jackie Robinson Dramatic Debut #3 cards, but none have received grades of 10, 9, or 8. The top grade so far is a PSA 7, and there are only five of those. The highest sale price for one of these cards was for a PSA 6, which went for $8,400.
What’s really interesting is the pricing for the lower-graded cards; a PSA 1.5 sold for $5,477, nearly the same as a PSA 4 which sold for $5,040. This shows that collectors are eager to have these cards in any condition and are willing to pay top dollar for them.
#2
1947 Bond Bread Jackie Robinson
PSA 6 Value: $33,600
1947 Bond Bread Jackie Robinson Baseball Card Value
The 1947 Bond Bread Jackie Robinson cards are not just baseball collectibles; they’re a slice of American history. The set is unique, offering 13 various poses of Robinson in action. The cards, measuring around 2 1/4″ x 3 1/2″, were originally found in Bond Bread loaves.
Released in 1947, the year Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier, these promotional cards were made by the Ward Baking Company for their Bond Bread brand. They are especially valuable because they feature Robinson during his groundbreaking rookie season.
1947 Bond Bread Jackie Robinson Population Report
When it comes to their condition and value, these cards are hard to find in top shape. PSA has only assessed 124 of the most popular cards in the set, the Portrait Facsimile Auto, and none have received mint grades. Only four were graded as near mint to mint, and ten as near mint.
This scarcity in high grades dramatically drives up the price. A PSA 6 card was auctioned off for $33,600 in May 2023. Even more striking, a PSA 7 sold for over $50,000 in May 2022, a substantial increase from its $2,000 value six years earlier. Even the lowest-graded cards, like those receiving a PSA 1, are selling for over $4,000.
#1
1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson RC #79
PSA 8 Value: $468,000
1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson Rookie Card
The 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson rookie card stands as one of the most legendary baseball cards ever produced. Its vivid aesthetics, featuring a blue Dodgers cap against a rich yellow backdrop, make this card an eye-catching piece.
The nameplate below Robinson’s portrait boasts white text against a black background, adding an extra layer of visibility that distinguishes it as a Jackie Robinson card even from a distance. This visual allure makes it highly coveted among collectors, especially those keen on displaying their collection.
The First Color Baseball Card Set Released After World War II
The 1948 Leaf set is also notable for being the first color baseball card collection released after World War II. Moreover, the set boasts an array of baseball legends, including Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Ted Williams, and Stan Musial, making it even more enticing for collectors.
1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson Rookie Card Population Report
PSA has evaluated 1,712 of these iconic 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson rookie cards. Remarkably, none have achieved a gem mint condition, with only seven in mint and forty in near mint to mint condition. This scarcity in high grades illustrates how elusive this particular set is for collectors. Common issues that detract from the card’s grade include rounded corners, off-centering, and print defects.
1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson Rookie Card Value
The value of this card has seen staggering growth. A PSA 8 example shattered records when it sold at a Heritage Auctions event in February 2022 for a jaw-dropping $468,000. To put this in perspective, the same grade card sold for just $40,000 in 2017, also by Heritage Auctions, making it an extraordinary return on investment for the seller.
A Legacy Captured in Cardboard
In conclusion, Jackie Robinson’s baseball cards are much more than mere collector’s items. They are tangible pieces of history, encapsulating the legacy of a man who not only shattered baseball’s color barrier but also changed the fabric of American society.
Whether they feature him leaping to make an outfield catch or posing with a bat slung over his shoulder, these cards remind us of Robinson’s extraordinary skills and even more extraordinary courage. Their skyrocketing value at auctions merely confirms what we already know: Jackie Robinson is an enduring icon whose impact resonates well beyond the diamond. For collectors, each card is not just an investment but a tribute to one of the most transformative figures in American history.
➡️ Go to the Top 50 Rookie Baseball Cards of All Time
Common Questions
Here is a list of common questions about Jackie Robinson baseball cards.
How can I determine the value of my Jackie Robinson card?
To determine the value of your card, you might consider sending it to PSA for grading. The grade will give you a better understanding of its condition, and therefore its potential value. You can also compare it to recent auction prices of similar graded cards to gauge its market value.
How much can a high-grade Jackie Robinson card sell for?
A high-grade Jackie Robinson card can sell for astronomical prices. For example, a PSA 9 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson card was auctioned off by Goldin Auctions for a record price of $984,000.
What are some of the most valuable Jackie Robinson cards?
The most valuable Jackie Robinson cards include his 1948 Leaf Rookie card, 1950 Bowman card, 1952 Berk Ross card, 1952 Topps card, 1953 Topps card, 1954 Topps card, and 1955 Topps card. Each of these cards has its own set of rarities and features that make them sought after by collectors.
Which Jackie Robinson card is the rarest in high-grade condition?
The 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson card is one of the rarest in high-grade condition. PSA has graded only 11 as mint and none in gem mint condition, making it highly coveted.
What is special about the 1953 Topps Jackie Robinson card?
The 1953 Topps Jackie Robinson card is especially valued for its artwork. These cards feature hand-painted player photos and are considered true pieces of art. The value of these cards has increased substantially over the years.
From a young age, Matt dove deep into sports card valuation, turning to esteemed price guides like Beckett and Tuff Stuff. Eventually he extended to Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh!. With a vision to sustain and nurture the hobby he loved, Matt established the ‘Graded Card Investor’ YouTube channel and website. He aims to foster a healthy community and offer invaluable insights to those entering the world of sports cards and TCGs. His depth of understanding, from the card market’s 2020 pinnacle to its 1990s valleys, is consistently fortified by meticulous research.
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