Question regarding DiMaggio cards..

[WillowGrove]

Hey welcome Dave.

Id first say the answer is buy what you like. If you like the look of his 40PB, no real reason to pass on it and buy a 39 just because people may tell you to.

Or vice versa.

Now if resale is a concern, the more popular issues typically are easier to sell.

I'm a collector and personally speaking when I buy a card because I like it, I never regret it. I liked it. What can be bad?

So follow your gut.

And to answer your specific question, I'd take the SGC 70 of whichever PB had the best clarity and centering. Sgc cuz I like their flips.

Good luck. Welcome!

Peter

[davetruth]

Yeah I understand the RC card thing is hotly debated..in my mind it's pretty simple Rookie Year card, should be A rookie card haha..maybe I will start another thread on that one..

[Peter_Spaeth]

I don't like the 41 despite its iconic status. Tiny little pic of Joe's face that is almost always out of register. I don't like the Goudeys either for different reasons I do, however, really like the 39 PB although generally I don't care for the set. Great picture.

[MattyC]

It's all very subjective. I find the 39 PB aesthetically displeasing; it is not, to my eyes, an attractive photo of The Yankee Clipper, what with the eyebrows and the teeth.

For my representative Joe D card I chose the Zeenut PCL, which is his first-ever card appearance; I much prefer the batting pose, because of his exploits on that side of the game. I also like the piece's rarity (I believe PSA has only graded 8 with or without the coupon, for example).

For a burst of color, I like the 41PB. It's also the card associated with the 56 Game streak-- and that's a critical piece of both baseball and card history right there. It should be noted that none of the early Joe D cards-- the Zeenut, V300, V355, etc.-- have the color the 41 PB does. I would go with the 41PB from your options list. I also think the 41PB is the most popular and "get-able," since the Zeenut, V300, and V355 WWG are so scarce and also expensive. But again this is subjective and debatable. There's a nice write-up on the 41PB in this link: Joe D 41PB in PSA's Top 20 Sportscard List

I am also a huge fan of the V300 and the V355, the latter of which some consider his rookie in terms of first Yankee card appearance. I think the V355 has serious charm. Kind of a thuggish mugshot photo and the cool nickname "deadpan Joe" on the back.

Ultimately, as someone said so well above-- go with your taste and you won't go wrong.

[kamikidEFFL]

As for what to buy, just go with what you like. If your looking to sell it down the line I'd say 39 PB be more desired by other collectors.

[ofrogers]

The Heads UP carries a big book as well as the Goudey World Wide Gum rookie..

I'd choose the 40 Playball because I have a Jackson and would like other top HOfers from that set..

The 41 Playball color carries a bigger book..

I'm going to buy the 48 Leaf also, I just like it..

[HRBAKER]

Of the three choices I would choose the '39 Playball.
I would rather have the 1936 WWG or 1937 OPC than any of them though.