Clothing
+ Fashion
Jewelry +
Watches
Home +
Furniture
 Pottery 
+ Glass
Art +
 Photos 
Paper +
  Books  
Music +
Movies
Toys +
Games
Sports +
Outdoors
Ads +
  Signs  
Eras +
Themes

Lou Gehrig, known affectionately by fans as “The Iron Horse,” was one of the most popular professional baseball players of all time. Gehrig’s collectibles are extremely rare and desired by New York Yankees collectors for two reasons: He played in an era in which very few baseball cards were printed; and his tragic death at age 37 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease that now bears his name, makes his autograph very uncommon.

Gehrig enjoyed an absolutely remarkable 17-year career with the New York Yankees. Though h...

The New York native made his Yankees debut in 1923. By the middle of the decade, Gehrig was considered the best first baseman in the league. Despite his success and fame, Gehrig didn't get his own mainstream baseball card until 1932, although this was largely due to the weak baseball-card market after World War I.

By the time U.S. Caramel released a Lou Gehrig card in ’32, Gehrig was at the top of his game. And even though the U.S. Caramel card is Gehrig's first, it is by no means his most popular, in part because it's difficult to find in high-grade due to toning problems and poor print quality.

Three Gehrig cards were published in 1933, one by DeLong and two by Goudey, which produced its first set that year. The DeLong card, which depicts a giant Gehrig finishing his sweet left-handed swing while standing on top of a miniature baseball field, is considered by many to be Gehrig’s most difficult card to find, and because of its very narrow borders, the card suffers from poor centering. The two Goudey cards, in comparison, are not quite as rare. Consequently, they are underrated by many collectors.

Lou Gehrig baseball cards reached their high point in 1934. That was the year Goudey released a set known to many collectors as the “Lou Gehrig set” because it featured the words “Lou Gehrig says…” on the front of each card, with a Gehrig quote on the back. Other players would have done well to listen to what Gehrig was saying as he had an amazing ’34 season, hitting .363 with 49 home runs and 165 runs batted in en route to winning the American League Triple Crown.

Gehrig was featured on two cards in that Goudey set, and they are largely considered his most popular cards, with #37 being the more popular of the two. It shows a close-up of Gehrig’s smiling face against a yellow background. While #61 is overshadowed by #37, it, too, is a magnificent card, with Gehrig cocking his Wilson A1340 bat back over his left shoulder, facing front.

Through the first half of the 1938 season, Gehrig continued to produce for the Yankees and was well on his way to being the greatest player ever. Then, suddenly, Gehrig began to struggle. His difficulties carried into the 1939 season as well. It turns out that Gehrig’s problems were due to ALS, now known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

On May 2, 1939, Gehrig took himself out of the lineup for the first time in 2,130 games. One of the most famous and collected photographs of Gehrig comes from that day in Detroit. It is a picture of Gehrig in the dugout, tears in his eyes as the fans applaud him for his streak. Shortly after that event, Gehrig informed Yankees’ manager, Joe McCarthy, that he was quitting baseball because he was no longer helping the team.

On June 19, Dr. Charles Mayo diagnosed Gehrig with ALS. He formally retired two days later. On July 4, the Yankees held Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day, during which Gehrig uttered his famous line, “Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” Pictures and statues of that emotional day are treasured by Yankees collectors.

By the end of the year, Gehrig had been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in a special election—the usual waiting period after retirement was waived for the sickly Iron Horse. Less than two years later, on June 2, 1941, Gehrig died.

During Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day, the Yankees retired Gehrig’s #4, making him the first major-league player ever to have his number retired. Not surprisingly, game-worn Gehrig jerseys are highly collectible today, though they are maddeningly difficult to come by. Autographed Gehrig jerseys are even more desirable.

Despite the premature end to his career, Gehrig left baseball with some astronomical statistics. He was a career .340 hitter with 493 home runs, which placed him third all-time when he retired. He still holds the record for most career grand slams, 23.

Gehrig’s enduring popularity, which is reflected in the high prices for his collectibles, was reinforced in 1999 when he was the leading vote recipient for ESPN’s All-Century baseball team. To earn that distinction, Gehrig beat out teammate Babe Ruth. Photographs of Gehrig and Ruth together are very collectible, as are items autographed by both players or the entire Yankees team from the 1920s through the 1930s. Hall of Fame busts are also highly prized.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Expand to read the full article ▼

Show & Tell - Share Your Stuff!

» See all Lou Gehrig Show & Tells

Interviews & Articles

Boston vs New York: Appraiser Leila Dunbar Talks Sports Memorabilia and Rivalries

When I was about 10 years old, my dad started collecting antique toys, advertising posters, signs, folk art, and pottery. Soon aft… [more]

How To Build a Killer Baseball Collection: Scouting the Minors With Dave Bloomer

Like most people my age—I'm 48—when I was growing up, baseball memorabilia meant baseball cards. The great thing about baseball ca… [more]

The Secrets of Collecting Baseball, From Cards to Signed Bats and Balls

I played baseball, basketball, and ran track from the time I was eight years old all the way through high school. Like the other k… [more]

Hitting a Home Run with Baseball Cards

I started collecting in 1986. If you’re in Boston and you’re a baseball fan, the Red Sox may take over your life. They take over y… [more]

Now Batting, National Baseball Hall of Fame Curator Tom Shieber

The Baseball Hall of Fame officially opened in 1939, so we’re coming up on our 70th anniversary. If you include baseball cards, we… [more]

An Interview With Baseball Card Collector Dave Campbell

Dave Campbell contacted me after reading a post on The Baseball Card blog. He's been collecting baseball cards non-stop since 1981… [more]

▼ Expand this section

Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Old Cardboard

Old Cardboard

Check out this well-organized collection of 500 sets of baseball cards, each over 50 years old. Browsable by type a… [read review or visit site]

The Baseball Card Blog

The Baseball Card Blog

Ben Henry's lively vintage baseball card blog, started in January 2006, offers hundreds of great posts on (and pict… [read review or visit site]

Cardboard Junkie

Cardboard Junkie

Dave Campbell's in-depth blog on old baseball (and some football) cards lives up to it's motto: 'do cards, not drug… [read review or visit site]

Baseball Cards 1887-1914

Baseball Cards 1887-1914

Roll up your socks for this Library of Congress collection showcasing hundreds of players on colorful early basebal… [read review or visit site]

Baseball Hall of Fame

Baseball Hall of Fame

A home run for baseball collectors, this site features special online exhibits, ranging from a baseball-uniforms da… [read review or visit site]



Other Great Reference Sites: Baseball

Top eBay Auctions

Showing 60. See all 117 by  highest bidmost watchedcompleted
1934 Tour Of Japan Signed Baseball Autographed Coa Babe Ruth Lou Gehrig Mack1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig 160 Yankee Hof G/vg, Great Eye Appeal! Low Starting Bid!Babe Ruth / Lou Gehrig Autographed Baseball Jsa Oal1939 Yankees Season Pass Ticket - Gehrig Speech And Last Game/williams Debut Babe Ruth Mickey Mantle Lou Gehrig 2009 Triple Threads Game Used /18 Yankess2011 Donruss Limited Cuts Hobby Box Ruth? Gehrig? Cobb?2003 Elite Babe Ruth Gehrig Dual Jersey Pants /502008 Upper Deck Premier Legendary Lou Gehrig 12 Of 23 3x Game Used MemorabiliaLou Gehrig 1935 Wheaties Series 1 Card Sgc Authentic New York Yankees Babe Ruth & Lou Gehrig-*original Autographs-*14 X 11" Picture-*rare-l@@k2008 Triple Threads,game-used,bat, Dimaggio,cobb,ruth,gehrig,williams,mantle #182011 Topps Triple Threads Lou Gehrig Triple Relic 3/9Lou Gehrig Baseball Card 1936 Wheaties Series 3 Ny Yankees Rare Collectible 1933 Butterfinger Canadian V94 Lou Gehrig #18 O-pee-chee Baseball Picture Card2008 Prime Cuts Gehrig Williams Mays Jersey Card Numbered 1 Of 252004 Leaf Limited Lou Gehrig Timber Game Used Bat !!!!!!!!!!!!!2011 Donruss Limited Cuts Hobby Box Ruth? Gehrig? Cobb?Lou Gehrig Highland Mint Game Used Bat Framed & Matted Awesome!!! Send Offers!!!1930 Detroit Tigers Vs New York Yankees Babe Ruth Lou Gehrig Scorecard Program2008 Triple Threads Dimaggio Babe Ruth Williams Cobb Gehrig Mantle Relics / 18Lou Gehrig 2009 Topps T206 T 206 Yankees Hof Printing Plate 1/1 $250 SpLou Gehrig 2006 Upper Deck Ud Epic Materials Yankees Hof Game Used Bat 7/15 Sp2011 Triple Threads Lou Gehrig Game Used Jersey Card 13/36 Nice1962 Topps #140 Lou Gehrig And Babe Ruth Hof Yankees Nm Psa 7 !! 2011 Topps Gypsy Queen Lou Gehrig Framed Jersey Card Sp New York YankeesEaston Press Leather Bound "lou Gehrig, Pride Of The Yankees" Still In Wrapper2011 Donruss Limited Cuts Hobby Box Ruth? Gehrig? Cobb?2011 Donruss Limited Cuts Hobby Box Ruth? Gehrig? Cobb?2011 Donruss Limited Cuts Hobby Box Ruth? Gehrig? Cobb?Lou Gehrig H&b Vintage Baseball Bat New York Yankees Hof2011 Topps Tier One 1 Baseball 33 Card Lot /799 Ruth , Mantle , Pujols ,gehrig 2012 Topps Golden Greats (75) Card Insert Set Clemente,mantle,gehrig,jeter +++2011 Topps Triple Threads Lou Gehrig Game Used Jersey #'d 18//2716mm Lou Gehrig~exciting Pathe Milestones Newsreel Of The Baseball Great~orig!Vintage Cracker Jacks,lou Gehrig Baseball Pinback2011 Topps Tier 1 Lou Gehrig Relic!!! 33/3992011 Topps Gypse Queen Lou Gehrig Framed Relic Card2012 Topps Series 1 Lou Gehrig Retired Rings Yankees Gold Relic Hof /7362008 Triple Threads,game-used,bat, Dimaggio,cobb,ruth,gehrig,williams,mantle #18Lou Gehrig 2012 Topps Gold World Series Champions Pin Ser.#64/7361961 Fleer #31 Lou Gehrig New York Yankees Mint 8 Nm-mtLou Gehrig Cyan Printing Plate 2010 Topps T-206Us Sheet Mnh # 2417 Lou Gehrig - Baseball Great Issue Superb & Below Face2012 Topps Hobby Series 1 One Factory Sealed Box Gold Rush Ruth Mantle Gehrig !!2012 Topps Series 1 Lou Gehrig New York Yankees Retired Rings /736Stamps Sheets #2417 Lou Gehrig 25 Ct Hand Picked Mnh Og S-g+ Bcv $68.00Big League Chewing Gum Baseball Cards Lot Of 18 Lou Gehrig Says 1934Franklin Mint Collector Plates Babe Ruth Ty Cobb Cy Young Lou Gehrig Dizzy Dean Lou Gehrig 2011 Topps Diamond Die Cut - Hobby Exclusive - Yankees Ddc-152Babe Ruth/lou Gehrig 70th Anniversary Signature 23 Kt Gold Wcg Gem-mt 101961 Topps Lou Gehrig Yankees Baseball Card #405 20 Card Set Mantle Koufax Clemente Mays Ruth Cobb Gehrig Only 2,500 Sets Printed"lou Gehrig The Luckiest Man" By The Bradford Museum # F 02801967 Sporting News Dope Book W/ Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig Cover1938 Rawhide Lou Gehrig Photo From The "rawhide" Movie 8x10 B&w (rare - Lqqk)1933 Goudey Baseball Complete (240) Card Reprint Set *dean *gehrig *ruth *foxx2012 Topps 1928 World Series Champions Pin Yankees Lou Gehrig 128/736 Sporting Life "ball Players" Series I -card# 8 - Lou Gehrig - New York Yankees#2417 Lou Gehrig - Splendid Handpainted New York Yankee Baseball Ham CachetVintage Mlb Hall Of Fame Lot 1994 Yearbook Lou Gehrig T-shirt Rizzuto Durocher
»» Get our weekly Lou Gehrig Memorabilia email
Right now on eBay