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For those looking to invest in vintage baseball cards instead of breaking into cases looking for new autographed cards of current players, here’s one suggestion – Jackie Robinson.
His significance both on and off the field can’t be overstated with Robinson breaking the color barrier first competing in Major League Baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
And his stats and accolades are impressive too with a career .311 batting average, Rookie of the Year in 1947, six-time All-Star, and a World Champion in 1955.
There are a few of his baseball cards any vintage collector should add to their personal collection. Here are our recommendations with links to bid or buy on eBay.
1. 1948 Leaf Rookie Card #79
The 1948 Leaf #79 Rookie Card is considered by many collectors to be one of the most iconic Jackie Robinson cards.
The card features a black-and-white photograph of Robinson in his Brooklyn Dodgers uniform, with his name and position listed in white text against a red background. The back of the card includes a brief biography of Robinson and his achievements up to that point in his career.
One of the reasons that the 1948 Leaf #79 Rookie Card is so highly regarded is its rarity. The Leaf Gum Company only produced a limited number of baseball cards in 1948, and many were lost or destroyed over time.
As a result, the 1948 Leaf #79 Rookie Card is one of the most sought-after Jackie Robinson cards, and it can command a high price on the market.
Plus the better graded cards already have great value.
2. 1949 Bowman #50 Baseball Card
The 1949 Bowman #50 Baseball Card is another highly regarded Jackie Robinson card.
The card features a color photograph of Robinson in his Brooklyn Dodgers uniform, with his name and position listed in white text against a blue background. The back of the card includes a brief biography of Robinson and his achievements up to that point in his career.
One of the advantages of the 1949 Bowman #50 Baseball Card is that it was produced in much larger quantities than the 1948 Leaf #79 Rookie Card, making it more accessible to collectors.
Additionally, the card is often cited for its beautiful design, which showcases Robinson in his iconic Dodgers uniform.
Well-graded cards can also fetch thousands of dollars.
3. 1952 Topps #312
The 1952 Topps set is a favorite for many vintage baseball card collectors.
And it features Jackie Robison (again with a red background) with his bat on his shoulder during one of his career best seasons.
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