Favorite DiMaggio - what would be your “one & only?”

[Belfast1933]

I am thinking of switching up my current Joe DiMaggio card in my HOF Collection and I’d love to hear others’ opinion on which Joe they would have as their “one/only” in their collection.

I don’t have a crazy high budget so I wouldn’t be able to pursue the ultra rare and mega expensive.

My current card is his ‘41 Playball (see below) which I really like - but I have had this one for several years an may be interested in making a change.

So, what would your “one and only” Joe D card be? Thx for sharing your thoughts (and card images too!)

Thanks

Jeff

[jingram058]

I have a modern "novelty" card I bought on eBay a couple of years ago that has what I feel is Joe D's best photo. Alas, not worth much, but boy is it great to look at.

Otherwise, I go with 1939 Play Ball in a tie with 1941. I have one of each and frankly, can't decide which one I like best. I like them both. I think Joe's best years were pre-WW2. The 1939 in my plaque here is a copy. The one in my safe deposit box is real.

[pokerplyr80]

The 41 is his most iconic card in my opinion. The first one you think of when you think Joe D. His rookie, 36 WWG, or zeenut may be more valuable. Perhaps others as well that I'm forgetting. But if I could only have 1 in my collection it would be the 41 play ball.

If you do decide to sell that to buy another please let me know.

[Peter_Spaeth]

One of these two. I don't love the 41, pinhead shot, sort of goofy face and usually way out of register.

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

The 41 is his most iconic card in my opinion. The first one you think of when you think Joe D. His rookie, 36 Goudey, or zeenut may be more valuable. Perhaps others as well that I'm forgetting. But if I could only have 1 in my collection it would be the 41 play ball.

If you do decide to sell that to buy another please let me know.

Couldn't have said it better.

[roarfrom34]

I had him sign this Sports Hobbyist postcard TTM back in 1979:

[Yoda]

The '40 Play Ball has somethings going for it; it is #1 in the set and shows Joe D. in his iconic batting swing pose. Still cheaper than the '41, I think.

[Lucas00]

If I could have any it would be zeenut without a doubt

[Bigdaddy]

The 1941 Playball all the way. I don't own one but it is on my bucket list of cards.

[Exhibitman]

Zeenut, definitely. Honorable mention to the 1937 OPC

[benge610]

Ben

"I love baseball history backstory; especially when it involves cards."

[talkinbaseball]

My favorite is the Zeenut also, the 41 is so hard to find nicely registered or focused.
John

[Peter_Spaeth]

I assume people know there are two Zeenut Dimaggios.

[tedzan]

1949 LEAF

I have quite a variety of Joe DiMaggio cards. This one, though, I have a certain sentimental attachment
to it, since it was my very first set of colorized BB cards, which I collected when I was a 10 year old kid.










TED Z

T206 Reference
.

[BabyRuth]

I just love this signed comic by the Yankee Clipper.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Musical interlude

From coast to coast that's all your hear
Of Joe, the one man show
He's glorified the horsehide sphere
Joltin' Joe Dimaggio

Joe Joe Dimaggio
We want you on our side.

[Touch'EmAll]

The 1939 Playball shows Joe with a very nice smile - not always seen in his cards. The black & white photo gives a good vintage look. The '39 is a tad more affordable, giving you the chance to acquire a better grade for your buck.

[Snowman]

Tough call for me between the 41 Playball and the 48 Leaf. I like the look of the leaf better, but the 41 is more iconic.

[Peter_Spaeth]

To each his own but I just don't get it.

[NiceDocter]

Close up looks more like a right handed Ted Williams!!!

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

To each his own but I just don't get it.

Not all 1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio cards are that out of focus, but I agree the facial image in even the best are less detailed than desired. It is a nice batting pose, which can also be seen in his 1940 Play Ball card.

Brian (this 1/5 of a card is not mine)

[brianp-beme]

Here is Joe's other Zeenut card. I prefer his batting pose, because his face is less scrunchy on it.

Brian (not mine)

[brianp-beme]

And finally, in my opinion, the best photo of Joe is seen on this 1941 Double Play card, but it loses a lot of its appeal due to its inclusion of King Kong on the card.

Brian (just another 'not my card' situation)

[puckpaul]

Always love the R303B DiMaggio. great image.

[DeanH3]

Gotta go with a '41 Play Ball

[Bridwell]

I have this one framed in my office. Love it! What an image!

[BuzzD]

My favorite. Love casual reference to Mussolini men!

[bozzio37]

I see it’s not a popular choice, but my fave has always been the ‘38 Goudey.


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[tiger8mush]

Originally Posted by DeanH3

Gotta go with a '41 Play Ball

Love the colors on my '41, but wow I wish it was as nicely registered as yours, Dean!

[bbcard1]

Here's one I always thought was underrated (obligatory Not My Card), 1950 Berk Ross. I have had it for years and it has firmly found its way into the PC. It is interesting because it is the kind of card that when you offer it as a seller, you get very low offers, but when you look at one as a buyer, you find very high asking prices. I like that it is roughly the size of the early Bowmans. I have it, a 39, a 41 Pb and 41 DP in my collection.

[puckpaul]

Originally Posted by bozzio37

I see it’s not a popular choice, but my fave has always been the ‘38 Goudey.


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I love those! But I don’t have the Joe D now (should have bought it years ago!).

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Lucas00

If I could have any it would be zeenut without a doubt

+1 agree the Zeenut would be the one for me

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by Snowman

Tough call for me between the 41 Playball and the 48 Leaf. I like the look of the leaf better, but the 41 is more iconic.

Plus 1

[Eric72]

Not my card.

If I could only have one, I'd probably choose the Goudey, with cartoons. It seems to be a somewhat polarizing card. The artwork isn't for everyone. As many have said, though, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To me, this is a beautiful baseball card.

Perhaps oddly, I don't care for the version without cartoons.

[riggs336]

My favorite is the R312 pastel colorized card, misspelled name and all.

[invest]

This my one and only DiMaggio card, although not the best picture. I love it for its simplicity.

Troy

[rand1com]

The favorite I have ever owned was one of his Zeenut cards that was autographed. It traded hands a few times after I sold it but has never reappeared at auction. Guess it made its way to a true collector in the last exchange. I sold it about 20 years ago and did not keep a picture of it. Did not have the coupon but was in nice condition other than that. I paid $2K which seemed pretty high at the time and flipped it at $2500. I think it would be way more today if it came to market again.

[skelly423]

Joe was not an attractive man, so there are a lot of toothy grins among his cards. Add my voice to the 1941 chorus. I had one, sold it, and found myself chasing another one within the year. If you're looking to change up your collection, you won't go wrong with a 1948-49 Leaf (just make sure to hold out for a bright green example).

[DeanH3]

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

Love the colors on my '41, but wow I wish it was as nicely registered as yours, Dean!

Thanks Rob. As mentioned earlier, it's so tough to find these guys centered with nice registration. It's such a great card when both come together.

The 1951 Berk Ross is the one that I picked and bought being his last year playing and for me being able to afford it 12 years ago

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by Touch'EmAll

The 1939 Playball shows Joe with a very nice smile - not always seen in his cards. The black & white photo gives a good vintage look. The '39 is a tad more affordable, giving you the chance to acquire a better grade for your buck.

Totally agree. My preference for all those reasons, if I were ever to get a Dimaggio

[Peter_Spaeth]

Another I like.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by rgpete

The 1951 Berk Ross is the one that I picked and bought being his last year playing and for me being able to afford it 12 years ago

That is a very cool card. I happen to also like Granny (he despised that nickname) Hamner.

[darwinbulldog]

I'd go with the World Wide Gum. I love a tough rookie card, and his other rookie year issues are much more common and/or not as incontrovertibly cards.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

I'm the Lone Ranger who likes the '40 Play Ball, and I don't usually go for b & w.

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[Neal]

1) 1938 Goudey 274 hands down
2) 1941 Play Ball
3) 1948 Leaf - which is the only Yankee Clipper that I own

1948 Leaf Dimaggio.jpg


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[Peter_Spaeth]

As you wish.

[Seven]

The only DiMaggio that is currently in my collection, is the 1952 Berk Ross Joe DiMaggio which is a card I certainly love having in my collection.

But If I had to pick one that could be my "One and Only" it would probably be the 1936 National Chicle Pastels (R312) issue.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

I'm the Lone Ranger who likes the '40 Play Ball, and I don't usually go for b & w.

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I agree. See my earlier post.

[JollyElm]

This barely counts at all, but keeping with the 'show your DiMaggios' feel of the thread, I'll post this cool new pickup, a 1967 Laughlin World Series #36 'With Address on Back' card...


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