World Series Programs

World Series Programs – Buy the Book

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Scott Kelnhofer wrote an excellent article about World Series programs in the February 1997 issue of Sports Cards Magazine. The article referenced a “Market Report” later in the magazine, which included the following Top Ten list: cool, huh?

Here’s the article and the complete Market Report page. I’ve never been a program collector, so it’s interesting to me that pre and post-1974 issues separate the niche:

Now, let’s see what these programs cost today:

  • 1927 Yankees vs. Pirates: ~$2k
  • 1956 Yankees vs. Dodgers: ~$225
  • 1969 Mets vs. Orioles: ~$200
  • 1955 Dodgers vs. Yankees: ~$200
  • 1973 Athletics vs. Mets: ~$25
  • 1919 Reds vs. White Sox: ~$3k
  • 1978 Yankees vs. Dodgers: ~$20
  • 1975 Reds vs. Red Sox: ~$20
  • 1959 Dodgers vs. White Sox: ~$50
  • 1960 Pirates vs. Yankees: ~$30

My favorite is the 1965 ‘Out of this World’ Series program.

1936-1992 Run of World Series Programs

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The early ’90s Sotheby’s Important Baseball Cards and Sports Memorabilia auctions were packed with incredible material; one example is this run of 93 World Series Series Programs dating from 1936-1992 (including, of course, my favorite, The Out Of This World Series).

This particular Sotheby’s auction was held in March 1993, and the lot had an expected closing price of $12k—$15k. Here’s the full description:

Run of World Series Programs: 1936-1992, ninety three programs, complete run from 1936 through 1992 inclusive, a very significant group which includes the Miracle Mets, every Yankee Championship from 1936 with Gehrig and DiMaggio through 1962 and the Mantle/Maris years, the great New York battles of the late 40’s and into the mid 50’s between the Giants, Dodgers and Yankees, every great star is featured, including Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, Tom Seaver, Roy Campanella, Sandy Koufax, Al Kaline, Reggie Jackson, Pete Rose and up through to today’s modern day superstars, World Series programs are very substantial, loaded with pictures and records, and historically significant, exceptional condition with no program less than excellent but overall most programs are near mint or better condition.