Jackie Robinson Card Guide: Price Guide & Complete 1947-1956 Checklist
Discover the value of Every Single Jackie Robinson baseball card
Jackie Robinson was an exceptional baseball player but he will forever be remembered for how he impacted sports and society. Robinson was the first African-American to play professional baseball, thus breaking the color barrier. He had to endure mental and physical abuse from fans, opposing players, and even teammates. And he took the abuse without fighting back. It was this courage which helped spark the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr. stated that Jackie Robinson made his success possible. During his playing career, he won N.L. rookie of the year in 1947, was N.L. MVP in 1949, and amassed a lifetime .313 batting average. Robinson will forever be a cultural icon because his bravery opened the door for countless others. Below is a price guide and list (with image and card number) of every Jackie Robinson card printed from 1947-1956.
1947 Bond Bead Exhibit Jackie Robinson
This early 1947 Jackie Robinson card was part of a 48 exhibit card set found in packages in Bond Bread. It features a close up image of a young Robinson, with a facsimile signature at the bottom. There are many square cornered versions of this card around, but true 1947 Bone Bread cards have rounded corners. This was done to ensure the cards would fit in the bread packages. Note: PSA no longer grades this issue
Card Value: low grade $1,500 to $2,500, mid grade $3,000 to $5,000, high grade $8,000+
1947 Bond Bread Jackie Robinson 13 Card Set
Separate from the Exhibit set, Bond Bread also released a 13 card Jackie Robinson set in 1947. It featured many different poses, such as hitting, fielding, and sliding. The facsimile autograph is typically the most desirable. Cards came with one of three different advertising backs. Full sets are extremely rare.
Card Value: low grade $3,500 to $6,000, mid grade $8,000 to $12,000, high grade $20,000+
1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson #79
The 1948 Leaf Robinson is widely regarded as his true rookie card. As a result this card hold immense importance within the hobby. The card is plagued by poor print and color issues, so high grade examples are extremely valuable. The color print issues can make the shade of yellow in the background vary greatly from card to card.
Card Value: low grade $3,000 to $8,000, mid grade $15,000-$30,000, high grade $75,000+
1948 R346 Blue Tint Jackie Robinson #36
This set is named for the distinctive blue tint color over the black and white image. Even though it does not have the eye appeal of the 48 Leaf set, this rookie era release of Jackie Robinson is highly desirable among collectors.
Card Value: low grade $700 to $1,500, mid grade $3,000-$4,000, high grade $7,000+
1947-1966 Exhibit Jackie Robinson
The 1947-66 Exhibit card set were produced over the span of 20 years and sold through penny vending machines. The Jackie Robinson card features him running full speed around the bag. Most collectors agree his card was released from 1948 to 1956. This is an affordable option for someone looking for a playing days era card.
Card Value: low grade $75 to $150, mid grade $300 to $500, high grade $750+
1948 Swell Gum Sports Thrills Jackie Robinson #3
Produced by Swell Bubble Gum, the Sport Thrills set celebrated 20 of the most important moments in baseball up til 1948. The Jackie Robinson card spot lights his dramatic debut. The back of the card highlights his incredible rookies season.
Card Value: low grade $1,500-$3,000 mid grade $4,000-$7,000, high grade $12,000+
1948 Old Gold Cigarettes Jackie Robinson (Kneeling & Catching Ball)
These post-card sized advertisements feature Jackie Robinson and a pack of Old Gold cigarettes. Two different poses were printed; one with Jackie in the dugout and another with him reaching for a fly ball. The backs contains a biography. These unique cards are highly sought after.
Card Value: low grade $1,000 to $2,500, mid grade $3,000 to $5,000, high grade $7000+
1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson #50
The 1949 Bowman card features a smiling Robinson against a bright red background. His Dodger hat and uniform really pop on the card as well. The design and colors lead this to be one of the best eye appeal releases of his early career. Besides the Satchel Paige rookie, it is the second most valuable card in the set and always in demand.
Card Value: low grade $1,500 to $3,500, mid grade $4,000 to $8,000, high grade $12,000+
1950 Bowman Jackie Robinson #22
1952 Berk Ross Jackie Robinson #58
The 1950 Bowman shows Jackie following through on a mighty swing. There is a stadium back drop behind him. It is the key card of the set and very collectible.
The 1952 Berk Ross Jackie Robinson features a full length image of him jumping and fully extended to catch a fly ball. The image is great but the colors in this set are not as vibrant as those found in his Leaf or Bowman issues. As a result the image seems somewhat washed out. This is one of the more affordable cards for Jackie.
Card Value: low grade $750 to $1,500, mid grade $3,000 to $6,000, high grade $7,500+
Card Value: low grade $600 to $1,000, mid grade $2,000 to $4,000, high grade $7,000+
1952 Topps Jackie Robinson #312
Behind only the 1948 Leaf rookie card, the 1952 Topps card is the second most important card of Jackie Robinson ever produced. Not only is it his first Topps card, it also is part of the first mainstream Topps set released and is found in the famed high number series. It is also one of his best looking and designed cards. For these reasons it is highly desirable and extremely valuable in any grade.
Card Value: low grade $2,500 to $9,000, mid grade $10,000 to $15,000, high grade $30,000+
1953 Topps Jackie Robinson #1
The 1953 Topps Jackie Robinson also makes a case for the best looking Robinson card ever made. It features a close up portrait of a smiling Jackie. The water color type design and bright colors make the card appear like a work of art. There is high demand for this card in any condition.
Card Value: low grade $500 to $1,000, mid grade $1,500 to $4,500, high grade $10,000+
1954 Topps Jackie Robinson #10
The 1954 Topps Robinson card presents a close up enlarged portrait with a small black and white action shot in the lower right side of the card. The background is a bright yellow and a facsimile signature is printed near the bottom lower border.
Card Value: low grade $250 to $500, mid grade $650 to $1500, high grade $2500+
1955 Topps Jackie Robinson #50
1955 Topps used a similar design to 1954, but this time changed from a vertical to horizontal card. The action pose was enlarged and and better image of Robinson was used for the close up. A lighter yellow background was also used.
Card Value: low grade $200 to $400, mid grade $500 to $1200, high grade $2,000+
1955 Topps Double Header Jackie Robinson #25
The 1955 Topps Double Header set is quite unique. Each card consist of two players; one on the front and the top half of a different player on the top half of the back of the card. The card could be folded and the player on the back would match up with the legs on the front. Robinson was paired with Don Hook. The images have a very cartoony feel to them. These cards are tough to find in nice condition since they were meant to be folded.
1956 Topps Jackie Robinson #30
The 1956 Topps Jackie Robinson is also a favorite among collectors. It is his last Topps card ever produced, as he retired before the 1957 season. The design on this card is tough to beat. The horizontal card features the same image of the 1955 Topps card, but the action shot shows Jackie stealing home in a cloud of dust. Instead of a solid color background, the playing field from the action shot fills up the open space. This card comes with a white or gray back. Gray backs are rarer and carry a premium.
Card Value: low grade $200 to $400, mid grade $500 to $1,200, high grade $1,500+
Card Value: low grade $150 to $300, mid grade $500 to $800, high grade $1,000+
Jackie Robinson Checklist
1947 Bond Bread Exhibit Card
1947 Bond Bread Jackie Robinson 13 card set
1948 Leaf #79
1948 R346 Blue Tint #36
1947-1966 Exhibit
1948 Swell Bubble Gum Sport Thrills #3
1948 Old Gold: Dugout and jumping pose
1949 Bowman #50
1950 Bowman #22
1952 Berk Ross #58
1952 Topps #312
1953 Topps #1
1954 Topps #10
1955 Topps #50
1955 Topps Double Header #25
1956 Topps #30