Hidden Gems from the 1940s
Today, we’re starting a new series at Vintage Vault where we’re going to take a look at the rarest cards distributed in the 1940s. With WW2 taking place in the first part of the 1940s, there was a lack of cards from U.S. brands for a period of years. Iconic brands like Goudey and Playball would cease production and not return after the war.
Instead, we see a ton of cards being produced in Latin America of players who were shunned from the MLB. Since a lot of the cards on this list are extremely rare, most haven’t sold in years, and some haven’t sold publicly at all. It can make establishing the market value tough.
With foreign issues still being discovered and a lack of documentation of complete checklists within The Hobby, it’s hard to list every single card or set. That said, there are still a lot of fascinating cards from the decade that we do know about. Let’s take a look.
1941 Goudey
Goudey dominated the 1930s when it came to producing some of the best baseball card sets. The 1933 Goudeys are considered classics among sets like the T206s and 1952 Topps. Sadly, the 1941 Goudey baseball set would be the last.
The set lacked star power, omitting legends such as Joe DiMaggio, Bob Feller, and Ted Williams. Its design was also underwhelming, with no graphics or text on the card backs. The fronts came in just four color variations: red, blue, green, and yellow. Compared to the 1941 Play Ball cards, these are much rarer; PSA has graded only 2,144 of them, while over 23,000 Play Balls have been evaluated
One intriguing detail lies in card #1, featuring Phillies pitcher Hugh Mulcahy. It notes that he was the first Major League player drafted into the U.S. Army — a unique historical footnote in a mostly forgettable set.
One of the bigger players in the set is 500 Homerun Club member Mel Ott. His 1941 Goudey Red in a 3.5 sold for $686 in 2024.
1943 La Campana
The 1943 La Campana premium set features many players who never got a shot at playing in the MLB. One player in particular worth mentioning from this set is Martin Dihigo.
Dihigo was a remarkable three-way player who excelled as a pitcher, manager, and second baseman. A member of four different baseball halls of fame (MLB, Cuban, Mexican, and Dominican), he showcased his talents across the Negro Leagues and throughout Latin America
A raw copy of his 1943 La Campana sold for $4,500 in 2021.
1945 Caramelo Deportivo
As you’ll see throughout this list, many of the foreign-issue cards are most commonly found in Authentic or 1 grades. There’s a noticeable premium once you move up even half a grade, reflecting the true scarcity and demand for higher-condition examples.
In terms of availability, you might spot a few 1945 Caramelo Deportivo cards at major shows like the National, and a handful typically surface online each year. However, compared to other foreign issues on this list — many of which are considered “ghosts” due to their extreme rarity — Caramelo Deportivos are relatively more attainable.
The set features four MLB Hall of Famers alongside a strong lineup of Latin American stars. The Hall of Famers include Raymond Brown, Ray Dandridge, Martin Dihigo, and Minnie Miñoso.
Here’s a quick look at a few of the key players:
- Raymond Brown: A dominant Negro League pitcher for the Homestead Grays, known for his devastating curveball and pinpoint control.
- Ray Dandridge: An elite third baseman recognized for his outstanding defense and ability to hit for a high average.
- Minnie Miñoso: Nicknamed “Mr. White Sox,” Miñoso enjoyed a remarkable seven-decade career and broke significant barriers for Afro-Latino players in Major League Baseball.
One of the rarest cards in the set is a short print of Napoleon Reyes, which famously frustrated collectors trying to complete their sets at the time. Today, it commands a steep premium.
To give an idea of values: A Martin Dihigo in PSA 2 condition recently sold for $2,900, while PSA/SGC 1 examples typically range from $1,000 to $1,500 depending on eye appeal. As for the Napoleon Reyes short print, a PSA 1 (with a “MK” qualifier for writing on the front) last sold for over $2,000 in 2023.
