Warren Spahn
Date of Birth: 4/23/1921
Rookie Card Year: 1948
Investment Rating: 7.0
Overview
Warren Spahn is a name most people in the hobby know. However, many don't truly understand or appreciate his great career and impact on baseball. Despite this, Warren Spahn baseball cards and autographed memorabilia are highly collectible with values worthy of his Hall of Fame status.
Spahn is credited with more wins than any left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball history with 356. In fact, no other pitcher, since the end of the Dead Ball Era of the 1920s, has won more games than Spahn. With today's era of specialization, it's a long shot that that total will be reached again.
The Warren Spahn rookie card is part of 1948 Bowman Baseball. Spahn also has a card in the 1948 Leaf Baseball set, but due to the fact it is believed by many hobby experts that the set was actually printed in 1949, it is not considered to be a rookie card. Additionally, Spahn has a handful of items issued around the same time, including 1947 Tip Top Bread and 1948-49 R346 Blue Tint cards.
In terms of modern Warren Spahn cards, his first autographed card was part of the 1983 Amateur Softball Association set. However, his first mainstream autograph would come several years later as part of the 1998 Upper Deck Retro Sign of the Times insert set. While not serial numbered, the card has an confirmed print run of 600 copies.
The first Warren Spahn memorabilia card. Spahn was issued in 2001 Leaf Rookies and Stars. He was paired alongside Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews as Braves all-time greats in the Triple Threads insert set. The card is serial numbered to 100 total copies.
Before passing away in 2003, Spahn periodically participated in organized signing events. His autographed memorabilia hasn't flooded the market, but it's not the most plentiful either. Authentic samples of photos and balls can be found rather easily.
Warren Spahn Rookie Card
1948 Bowman Baseball Warren Spahn RC #18
The 1948 Bowman Baseball issue consists of 48 total, black and white cards. Each measures 2 1/16 by 2 1/2 inches. Spahn's card features a full profile head shot that can be best described as awkward. Mid-grade conditions trade in the $300 range with higher grade conditions often breaking four figures.
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Autograph Guide
Warren Spahn Autographed Memorabilia Buying Guide
Below you will find an example of what Warren Spahn'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. Some of the trusted sources within the sports memorabilia market include the following companies: PSA, JSA, Steiner, Mounted Memories and Tristar. Click on any of the images below to view full size photos.
Warren Spahn Cut Signature Exemplar
Warren Spahn Key Signature Attributes: An authentic Warren Spahn signature autograph will exhibit several distinguishing characteristics. Regardless of the type of item or when it was signed, look for the following signature features:
- A very simple signature with a highly unique starting letter.
- The "W" looks like a cursive lower case "l" on 50 degree angle that then drops down into a "U" like shape goes back up with a small loop before going down and finishing with a slight curl.
- The "a" is standard cursive, the "r"'s are also but rushed, the "e" is tiny, with no loop and the "n" is legible.
- The "Spahn" is most legible with each letter written in classic cursive script with the "p" and "h" having loops for their vertical lines.
Warren Spahn Signed Baseball Pricing
Active Listings for Warren Spahn Signed Baseballs
Warren Spahn Signed Photograph Pricing
Active Listings for Warren Spahn Signed Photographs
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More Info
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