1934 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie: Difference between revisions
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=Description= | =Description= | ||
The 1934 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie (card #106) is one of the most famous contrived-scarcity cards in The Hobby and is widely regarded as the second most significant pre‑war card after the [[ | The 1934 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie (card #106) is one of the most famous contrived-scarcity cards in The Hobby and is widely regarded as the second most significant pre‑war card after the [[T-206]] Honus Wagner. Although the 1933 Goudey set advertised a 240‑card checklist, Goudey intentionally withheld card #106 from production, issuing only 239 cards in packs. The missing number led to widespread frustration among young collectors attempting to complete the set. | ||
=Distribution= | =Distribution= | ||
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* Card #106 was intentionally omitted from 1933 production. | * Card #106 was intentionally omitted from 1933 production. | ||
* Lajoie had retired in ''1916', making his appearance in the 1934 issue unusual. | * Lajoie had retired in ''1916'', making his appearance in the 1934 issue unusual. | ||
* Only collectors who contacted Goudey directly received the card. | * Only collectors who contacted Goudey directly received the card. | ||
* High‑grade examples are extremely rare; a PSA 9 sold for $95,700 in 1999. | * High‑grade examples are extremely rare; a PSA 9 sold for $95,700 in 1999. | ||
Latest revision as of 16:52, 20 January 2026
1933–34 R319 Goudey Napoleon (Larry) Lajoie #106
Description
The 1934 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie (card #106) is one of the most famous contrived-scarcity cards in The Hobby and is widely regarded as the second most significant pre‑war card after the T-206 Honus Wagner. Although the 1933 Goudey set advertised a 240‑card checklist, Goudey intentionally withheld card #106 from production, issuing only 239 cards in packs. The missing number led to widespread frustration among young collectors attempting to complete the set.
Distribution
Card #106 was not issued in 1933 packs. In 1934, after receiving numerous complaints (often from parents), Goudey produced a Lajoie card to fill the missing slot. These cards were distributed exclusively by mail to collectors who wrote to the company requesting the missing number. As a result, surviving examples are far scarcer than pack‑issued cards from the era.
Key Facts
- Card #106 was intentionally omitted from 1933 production.
- Lajoie had retired in 1916, making his appearance in the 1934 issue unusual.
- Only collectors who contacted Goudey directly received the card.
- High‑grade examples are extremely rare; a PSA 9 sold for $95,700 in 1999.
- Ungraded copies typically sell for around $30,000, depending on condition.
Checklist Notes
- Although cataloged as part of the '33 set, the Lajoie was printed and distributed in 1934.
- The card uses the 1934 Goudey design, including the “Lou Gehrig says…” banner.
- The card is considered essential for a complete 1933 Goudey master set.