The 1933 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie card stands as one of the most legendary and sought-after pieces of baseball card history. Part of the celebrated Goudey Gum Company’s 1933 set, it wasn’t just another collectible. It became an elusive gem due to a significant production issue that has intrigued collectors for decades. What makes this card so remarkable are the strange circumstances surrounding its distribution—or rather, its lack thereof.
A Brief Overview of the 1933 Goudey Set
The 1933 Goudey set is often regarded as one of the greatest baseball card sets ever produced. It was the first major card set to be issued with bubble gum. This was a novel combination that proved popular with kids. The set featured 240 cards, including icons like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jimmie Foxx.
Napoleon “Nap” Lajoie, who played for the Cleveland Indians (then called the Naps in his honor), was a star from an earlier era, having retired from Major League Baseball after the 1916 season. His inclusion in the set was a nod to baseball’s rich past. However, unlike other players, Lajoie’s card (#106) didn’t initially appear in packs. This sparked one of the greatest mysteries and controversies in baseball card history.
The Issue: 1933 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie Goes Missing
The Lajoie card was part of the original design of the 1933 Goudey set. However, it was never distributed in any of the 1933 Goudey packs. Collectors quickly noticed the omission, especially since card #106 was listed on the set’s checklist. Without it, completing the full 240-card set was impossible, and the situation soon led to widespread frustration. Collectors, some of whom were children, sent letters to Goudey, asking why the Lajoie card was missing.
The mystery of the missing Lajoie card took on almost mythical proportions. Some theories suggested it was a simple oversight or a production error. This is difficult to rationalize because 1933 Goudey cards were printed in sheets with cards in sequential order. A missing card likely would have been noticed.
Others speculated that the missing card ties back to Goudey’s rivalry with another card manufacturer, National Chicle. At the time, National Chicle had released its own baseball card set, Diamond Stars, which competed directly with Goudey’s. It is believed that Goudey may have deliberately omitted the Lajoie card to sabotage collectors’ ability to complete the set. This gave them a reason to keep buying Goudey’s products and not turn to National Chicle.
It’s also been suggested that the 1933 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie card was left out so Goudey could double-print Babe Ruth’s 1933 Goudey cards. Despite being aged 37, Ruth was incredibly popular and was still in the midst of his prime seasons. The prior year, he had a remarkable 8.5 WAR. Lajoie, while popular, was now retired. Goudey may have felt that he wouldn’t be missed.
Regardless of the reason, by the end of 1933, there was no Lajoie card to be found.
The Resolution: A Mail-In Offer in 1934
As the complaints from collectors grew louder, Goudey finally decided to address the issue in 1934. In an attempt to appease frustrated fans, the company made the Nap Lajoie card available via mail order. Collectors who wrote to Goudey inquiring about the missing card were able to receive it by mail. However, this was a limited offering, meaning only those who contacted the company directly could obtain the card.
This mail-in offer explains the extreme rarity of the Lajoie card. Since it wasn’t included in packs and was only distributed in small numbers by mail, far fewer Lajoie cards exist compared to other cards in the 1933 Goudey set. The card is also condition-sensitive because it wasn’t pulled directly from packs, but had to travel through the postal system.
Adding to its uniqueness, the Lajoie card was printed in 1934. However, it maintains the 1933 design and is numbered #106 to match the rest of the 1933 set. Despite the one-year delay in its release, it is still considered part of the original 1933 Goudey set. This completes the otherwise impossible-to-finish collection. However, some collectors argue that it should be considered a 1934 Goudey, since it was printed on 1934 Goudey sheets.
The 1933 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie Legacy
The 1933 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie card has since taken on legendary status in the collecting world. This is not only because of its rarity but also because of the unique story behind its production. For years, it was one of the most valuable and elusive cards for set collectors. It remains one of the most coveted cards from the pre-war era.
The card’s value is driven not only by its rarity but also by its connection to Nap Lajoie, one of the greatest players of the early 20th century. Lajoie was a five-time batting champion and a member of the inaugural class of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937, further cementing the card’s significance.
Rarity and Condition
Like many pre-war cards, condition plays a huge role in determining the value of the 1933 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie. Most surviving examples show considerable wear due to the card being mailed out in envelopes. Most examples have edge and corner damage. The card is also particularly tough to find in high grades due to its sensitive, brightly colored borders. These easily show wear.
Cards that have been well-preserved are exceptionally rare and can fetch a premium at auction. In a PSA 1 or 2 grade, the card typically sells for $10,000-$20,000. However, as a PSA 9, the card has sold for $384,000. A PSA 10 card has never been recorded.
Because it’s so difficult to find, some collectors consider a 1933 Goudey set “complete” without the card. This is similar to collectors who will consider a T206 set as complete while it’s still missing the “Big Four.”
Goudey’s Legacy and the Impact of the Lajoie Card
The 1933 Goudey set, and specifically the 1933 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie card, marked a turning point in the hobby. Scarcity and the hunt for elusive cards began to drive collectors’ passions. The production issue surrounding the Lajoie card created one of the first real “chase” cards in the hobby. This concept continues to influence modern card collecting with short prints, serial numbers, and limited-run cards.
The Goudey Gum Company, despite its rivalry with National Chicle, remains a legendary name in baseball card history. This is largely because of sets like the 1933 issue and its part in shaping how baseball cards were viewed by collectors. The Lajoie card stands as a testament to Goudey’s dominance in the hobby during the 1930s. Its legacy continues to be a source of fascination for both veteran collectors and newcomers.
Conclusion
The 1933 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie card is more than just a rare collectible—it’s a symbol of a unique chapter in baseball card history. From its strange omission that left collectors baffled to its eventual release as part of a mail-in redemption, the card represents a perfect blend of mystery, rarity, and historical significance. Its story has endured for nearly a century, making it one of the most captivating cards ever produced.
