Lot # 10: 1933 Goudey Near-Complete PSA-Graded Set (235/239) - #22 on the PSA Registry!

Category: Featured Items

Starting Bid: $20,000.00

Bids: 34 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Summer, 2021 Premier Auction",
which ran from 8/9/2021 9:00 PM to
8/28/2021 9:00 PM



Easily the most popular and important set of the gum card era, the 1933 Goudey issue is considered one of the "Big Three" sets in card collecting, along with the T206 and 1952 Topps sets.  Featuring an incredible assortment of Hall of Famers, including four different cards of Babe Ruth, the set is an incredible challenge, with popularity that continues to endure.  Presented here is an incredible midgrade near-set which includes 235 of the 239 cards issued in 1933 (card #106 of Nap Lajoie was not issued until 1934, and the set is typically considered complete without it) from an extremely advanced collection.  All but 22 of the 235 cards have graded VG-EX 4 by PSA.  In its entirety, the set ranks #22 on the PSA Set Registry.

This is an incredibly consistent grouping of cards.  91% of the cards grade VG-EX 4, with the remainder grading as follows:  PSA EX 5 (4 cards):  #221 Alexander, #225 Jurges, #239 Parmelee, #240 Schumacher; PSA EX 5Q (2 cards): #172 Hargrave, #178 Warner; PSA VG-EX 4 Q (1 card): #81 Quinn; PSA VG-EX+ 3.5 (4 cards): #4 Schuble, #6 Dykes, #210 Davis, #214 Kerr; PSA VG 3 (10 cards): #2 Vance (HOF), #30 Hogan, #35 Simmons (HOF), #76 Cochrane (HOF), #117 Maranville (HOF), #142 Richards, #211 Wilson (HOF), #226 Root, #230 Hubbell (HOF), #232 O'Doul; PSA GOOD 2 (1 card): #84 Spencer.  All the remaining cards have graded PSA VG-EX 4.  The set is missing four cards for completion, among them two of the keys: #52 Andy Cohen, #53 Babe Ruth, #144 Babe Ruth, and #158 Moe Berg (plus the aforementioned Lajoie).

With the explosion in demand for 1933 Goudey Ruth and Gehrig cards, completing the 1933 Goudey set has become a remarkable collecting achievement.  Indeed, despite the relatively plentiful nature of most of the cards from this issue, complete, graded sets seldom come to auction anymore, as the SMR value of the Ruths and Gehrigs in this set surpass $50,000 for just the four cards.  It is incredible to see a near-complete, graded 1933 Goudey set sold at auction today.  The set is remarkable, the cards largely presenting well, clean and colorful examples well within the parameters of the grade.  The set includes cards graded throughout PSA's history, so there are cards that were graded before PSA began issuing "half grades," meaning there will be opportunities for cards to be reviewed for half-point increases once PSA resumes grading lower-dollar cards.  The age of some of the holders means that there are a few holders that exhibit some minor scratches, cracks or surface abrasions, though most remain in outstanding condition.

Assembling a complete, graded 1933 Goudey set is an incredible challenge.  In this day and age, when submitting cards for grading is difficult due to backlogs and suspension of grading levels, the challenge is even greater.  Many collectors feel that the VG-EX level represents the "sweet spot" of value with prewar cards.  This is a tremendous set, clean and consistent, missing just four readily obtainable cards for completion.  235 cards total.

NOTE: Due to the size and/or weight of this lot, it will not be covered under our standardized shipping and will be subject to a higher shipping charge.

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