Latest revision as of 16:52, 20 January 2026

Nap-Lajoie.jpg?id=05d5a90b-318d-4ecb-97e8-30d6649a67f2&size=original&side=front&.jpg

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.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''1933-34 R-319 Goudey Napoleon (Larry) Lajoie:''' Next to the [[-T-206]] Wagner, the '34 Goudey Lajoie is second most prominent card of the pre-WWII era. Decades before inserts and ridiculously scarce rookie cards, Goudey Gum used a very sneaky, and unethical, scheme to keep kids buying packs of their chewing gum. While the backs of the cards said that there were 240 cards in the set, Goudey only printed 239. Card #106 was purposely not issued. Probably spurred on by complaints made from parents, Goudey eventually issued a #106 (Lajoie) the following year, but only to those who wrote to request one. Needless to say, not many did. In 1999 a Mint "PSA 9" Lajoie sold at auction for $95,700, though un-graded copies usually fetch $30,000. The funny thing about this card, is that Lajoie retired in 1916!
+https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1983/Renata-Galasso-1933-Goudey-Reprints---Base/106/Nap-Lajoie.jpg?id=05d5a90b-318d-4ecb-97e8-30d6649a67f2&size=original&side=front&.jpg
+https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1983/Renata-Galasso-1933-Goudey-Reprints---Base/106/Nap-Lajoie.jpg?id=05d5a90b-318d-4ecb-97e8-30d6649a67f2&size=original&side=back&.jpg
+'''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 [[1933 Goudey|'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.
 [[Category:Goudey]]
 [[Category:Significant Cards]]