Matt Kemp Cards & Memorabilia Buying Guide

Matt Kemp

Date of Birth: 9/23/1984
Rookie Card Year: 2005
Investment Rating: 7.5


Overview

After an MVP-caliber season in 2011, Matt Kemp cards and memorabilia have entered superstar territory. With Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder both headed to the American League, the Dodgers outfielder is now one of the National League's most dangerous sluggers. Collectors are finally taking note, sending Matt Kemp cards into the upper echelon of the hobby's elite.

Although Kemp has been a standout for Los Angeles for a couple of years, in 2010 he emerged as one of baseball's best. In 2011, he came close to winning the Triple Crown after leading the NL in home runs (39) and runs batted in (126) while finishing third in batting (.324). Kemp was also one stolen base shy of joining the elusive 40-40 Club for hitting 40 home runs and swiping 40 bases in a single season. Many assumed these stats were good enough for NL MVP, but Kemp ended up finishing second to Ryan Braun.

Collectors have seven options when it comes to Matt Kemp rookie cards. They run the value spectrum as well, ranging from entry-level sets up to a premium autograph. Rarer parallels give collectors several more options for first-year Matt Kemp cards.

Matt Kemp Rookie Card Guide

2005 Bowman #273

The look on Kemp's face says it all about this card: boring. Still, it remains affordable for all collectors. The black corners make it tougher to find mint copies as the base Bowman card stock isn't the most durable.

2005 Bowman Baseball Matt Kemp 213x300 Image

2005 Bowman's Best #96

The 2005 Bowman's Best Baseball design hasn't aged very well. Kemp's drowsy pose doesn't help matters either. Still, for collectors looking to add a little shine to their Matt Kemp rookie card collection at a reasonable price, this may be the one. Serial numbered Refractors are a good option for collectors looking for investment potential.

2005 Bowmans Best Matt Kemp Rookie Card 212x300 Image

2005 Bowman Chrome #349 Autograph

The 2005 Bowman Chrome Matt Kemp autographed rookie is, by far, his most desirable rookie card. It is the only one that is signed so collectors must be prepared to pay big for one. It also comes from one of the hobby's most popular sets. Always popular with collectors are the numerous numbered Refractor parallels, which are also autographed. The 2005 Bowman Chrome Blue Refractor makes for one of the best-looking and most coveted Matt Kemp cards.

2005 Bowman Chrome Matt Kemp Autograph Rookie Card 213x300 Image

2005 Bowman Heritage #260

With a design inspired by 1951 Bowman Baseball, the 2005 Bowman Heritage Matt Kemp rookie card is the one with the most artistic flair. While he doesn't have a beaming smile, this is his one rookie where he doesn't look angry.

2005 Bowman Heritage Matt Kemp Rookie Card 214x300 Image

2005 Topps Update #284

The biggest benefit for this card is its place as the official Matt Kemp Topps rookie card, which should give it a permanent spot in company archive. Unfortunately, the unhappy look is back. Because it's a standard portrait shot without much else going on, it doesn't have a lot of overall appeal.

2005 Topps Update Matt Kemp Rookie Card 214x300 Image

2005 Topps Chrome Update #284

If a 2005 Bowman Chrome Matt Kemp is out of your price range, his 2005 Topps Chrome Update is probably you next best option. A chromium version of his regular Topps card, the Topps Chrome versions are much rarer as they were seeded just a couple per pack. Combine that with the hobby's long-standing love for the Topps Chrome name and you've got one of the best Matt Kemp cards.

2005 Topps Chrome Update Matt Kemp 214x300 Image

2005 Topps Total #744 with Heath Totten

This may be the sleeper of all rookie Matt Kemp cards. Topps Total is notorious for its massive checklist. Although there aren't any short prints, simply pulling any given card is a tough task. Plus, 2005 Topps Total Baseball wasn't all that popular at the time. As a result, relatively few of the Matt Kemp rookie cards pop up. They are by no means rare, just harder to find than several of his other rookie cards. Some of that may be due to the fact that Kemp shares the card with Heath Totten. Never heard of him? That's the problem.

2005 Topps Total Matt Kemp Rookie Card 260x184 Image

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2013 Topps Tribute Commemorative Cuts Relic Jersey Matt Kemp Dodgers 01 99
$25.00
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++++++ GEM MINT 10 MATT KEMP 2010 TOPPS Turkey Red Baseball Card LOOK +++++
$14.99
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2005 Bowman's Best BLUE Matt Kemp ROOKIE RC #96 SP 499 SGC 92 NM MT+8.5 Dodgers
$124.24
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2013 TRIBUTE SUPERSTAR SWATCHES DUAL RELIC 48 99 MATT KEMP DODGERS
$12.99
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Matt Kemp 2005 05 Bowman Heritage Rookie Card
$11.99
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Matt Kemp 2005 05 Topps Update Rookie Card #uh284
$12.99
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Matt Kemp - 2005 Topps #UH284 RC - Dodgers
$10.00
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Autograph Matt Kemp James Loney 8x10 with proof
$45.00
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2012 Topps Triple Thread #12 Matt Kemp - PSA 9 Mint
$15.00
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MATT KEMP 2005 Vero Beach Dodgers 1st Minor League Card RC ROOKIE
$28.99
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2012 TOPPS UPDATE BLACK #US262 MATT KEMP DODGERS 61
$15.00
1811560989014040 1 Image
2005 Matt Kemp Topps Chrome Update BLACK REFRACTOR #64 250 RARE
$112.00
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Autograph Guide

Matt Kemp Autographed Memorabilia Buying Guide

Below you will find an example of what Matt Kemp's authentic signature looks like. This can be used as a first point of reference for determining the legitimacy of autograph memorabilia, but is not a substitute for having your items authenticated by a well-respected professional autograph authentication company.

Matt Kemp Autograph Image

Signed Baseball Pricing:

Average eBay Sales Price: $68.15
Lowest Amazon Price: Image $69.65

Signed Jersey Pricing

Average eBay Sales Price: $134.10
Lowest Amazon Price: Image $325

Signed 8x10 Photo Pricing

Average eBay Sales Price: $43.90
Lowest Amazon Price: Image$45.50

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Matt Kemp Signed Dodgers Custom Jersey Auto PSA DNA COA 4A18756 The Bison
$259.99
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Matt Kemp Signed Dodgers Custom Jersey Auto PSA DNA COA 4A18754 The Bison
$259.99
2611025588664040 1 Image
Matt Kemp Signed Majestic Jersey Auto MLB Auth EK 223412 Dodgers
$239.99
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Matt Kemp Signed Majestic Jersey Auto MLB Auth EK223416 Dodgers
$239.99
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SIGNED DODGERS CLAYTON KERSHAW ANDRE ETHIER MATT KEMP PHOTO W COA AUTO
$25.00
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Matt Kemp & Adrian Gonzalez Signed Dodgers 8x10 Photo PSA DNA COA Auto'd Picture
$159.99
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MATT KEMP SIGNED AUTOGRAPHED 8X10 PHOTO
$29.99
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Matt Kemp Signed Auto Dodgers Baseball Bat PSA DNA COA
$159.99
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MATT KEMP AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL JERSEY LA DODGERS PSA DNA
$206.99
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MATT KEMP AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED MAJOR LEAGUE GOLD GLOVE BASEBALL LA DODGERS PSA DNA
$80.99
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MATT KEMP LOS ANGELES DODGERS SIGNED MAJESTIC JERSEY JSA COA AUTOGRAPHED 52XL
$187.49
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2006 TOPPS 52 MATT KEMP Autograph Auto Signed RC ROOKIE CARD LA DODGERS
$149.99
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 |  E-Mail Author | 
Ryan's collecting origins began with winter bike rides to the corner store, tossing a couple of quarters onto the counter and peddling home with a couple packs of O-Pee-Chee hockey in his pocket. Today, he continues to build sets, go after inserts with cool technologies, chase Montreal Expos and finish off his John Jaha master collection. Ryan can be found on Twitter @tradercracks and Google+.

User Comments

  1. Thanks guys for the updates, I would never have seen this or have been aware of Kemp’s rising numbers. Thank you. Now I have to go and see what I have!
    Dave in Mass.

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