Satchel Paige
1948 Leaf
Baseball fans were deprived of seeing some of the most talented players on earth before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947. Negro League legends like Oscar Charleston and Josh Gibson never had the chance to showcase their skills at the MLB level. There were some, however, who did get that opportunity, even though they were past their prime. Satchel Paige, at the age of 42, was one of those players. Not only did Paige pitch for five consecutive years (1948–1953), he came back for a three-inning stint in 1965 at the age of 59, when he didn’t surrender a run. During his playing career, only a handful of cards were issued, but all of them carry meaningful weight.
Only one Topps card (1953) and one Bowman card (1949) were produced. The Bowman card has gained more attention in recent years and is worth considerably more than his lone Topps issue. While true, the card that is the unquestioned king of all Paige cards is his 1948/1949 Leaf. The card (#8) resides in one of the more popular but tough sets in the post-WWII era. There are other Hall of Famer rookie cards in the set, such as those of Stan Musial and Robinson. There are also some terribly difficult cards to find in high grade like the #1 card of Joe DiMaggio and the Bob Feller condition rarity. That all being said, none hold a candle to the Paige card in terms of desirability or market value. One of several scarce short prints, the Paige card suffers from poor print quality and registration to complicate matters. At the time of this writing, less than half a dozen Paige cards have reached the PSA NM-MT 8 grade, with none grading higher.
Leroy Robert “Satchel” Paige (July 7, 1906 - June 8, 1982) began his big league career with the Cleveland Indians in 1948 at the age of 42, making him the oldest player to debut in Major League Baseball. Satchel helped Cleveland win the American League pennant and World Series in his first year. Satchel Paige is widely considered the greatest pitcher to emerge from the Negro Leagues posting an unofficial record of 103-61 (a .638 winning percentage), with 1,231 strikeouts and a 2.02 ERA. Paige was a hard-throwing right-hander playing with the Cleveland Indians (1948-1949), the St. Louis Browns (1951-1953) and the Kansas City A’s (1965) compiling an unimpressive record of 28-31 with 288 strikeouts and a 3.29 ERA. Satchel’s career spanned five decades including a 1965 appearance pitching three shutout innings allowing only one hit. Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio referred to Paige as “the best and fastest pitcher I’ve ever faced.” Paige got his nickname as a boy, lugging bags and satchels for railroad passengers. The Negro Leagues Committee elected Leroy Robert “Satchel” Paige to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971.
Condition Census
| Pos | Grade | Thumbnail | Pedigree and History |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NM-MT 8 | ||
| 1 | NM-MT 8 | ||
| 1 | NM-MT 8 | ||
| 1 | NM-MT 8 | ||
| 1 | NM-MT 8 | ||
| 2 | NM 7 (27) |
Prices By Grade
1948 LEAF 8 SATCHEL PAIGE
| Grade | Most Recent Price | Average Price | PSA Price | Population | POP Higher |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEM - MT 10 | – | – | – | – | – |
| MINT 9 | – | – | – | – | – |
| NM - MT 8 | $432,000.00 | – | $432,000.00 | 5 | – |
| NM 7 | $108,000.00 | – | $108,000.00 | 27 | 5 |
| EX - MT 6 | $49,995.00 | – | $75,000.00 | 18 | 34 |
| EX 5 | $63,427.20 | – | $63,400.00 | 24 | 55 |
| VG - EX 4 | $22,500.00 | – | $40,000.00 | 23 | 87 |
| VG 3 | $38,588.36 | – | $31,900.00 | 21 | 114 |
| GOOD 2 | – | – | $29,000.00 | 9 | 137 |
| FR 1.5 | $19,800.00 | $19,800.00 | – | 8 | 147 |
| PR 1 | $24,000.00 | – | $27,600.00 | 20 | 156 |
| Auth | $4,438.99 | – | – | 8 | 178 |
Auction Prices Realized
| Date | Price | Grade | Lot # | Auction House | Auction/Seller | Type | Cert |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/05/2022 | $19,800 | 1.5 | 859 | Robert Edward Auctions | 2022 Fall | Auction | 52412855 |
| 08/06/2022 | $24,000 | 1 | 139 | Goldin Auctions | 2022 July National Elite Auction | Auction | 65528323 |
| 05/02/2022 | $38,588 | 3 | 1 | The Collector Connection | Post War Sports Cards & Collectibles XVI | Auction | 63958446 |
| 02/28/2022 | $34,800 | 3 | 80145 | Heritage Auctions | Winter Platinum Night Sports Auction | Auction | 22970099 |
| 02/20/2022 | $63,427 | 5 | 51 | Memory Lane, Inc. | Winter Rarities 2022 | Auction | 09146084 |
| 11/12/2021 | $26,863 | 3 | 9 | Mile High Card Company | October/November 2021 Auction | Auction | 08101137 |
| 11/12/2021 | $22,906 | 1.5 | 58 | Mile High Card Company | October/November 2021 Auction | Auction | 63141405 |
| 10/19/2021 | $49,995 | 6 | 284487937165 | eBay | aztece | Auction | 04299511 |
| 10/13/2021 | $50,195 | 6 | 284477579662 | eBay | aztece | Auction | 04299511 |
| 08/24/2021 | $33,600 | 3 | 80259 | Heritage Auctions | Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction | Auction | 62313561 |
| 04/20/2021 | $93,000 | 6 | 830 | Robert Edward Auctions | 2021 Spring | Auction | 42918448 |
| 03/18/2021 | $27,600 | 1 | 59022 | Heritage Auctions | Sports Monthly Showcase Auction - Dallas | Auction | 52944298 |
| 01/16/2021 | $9,500 | 1 | 274648951031 | eBay | cookiemonster501 | Best Offer | 90101930 |
| 12/13/2020 | $42,000 | 5 | 57455 | Heritage Auctions | Fall Sports Collectibles Catalog Auction - Dallas | Auction | 09146084 |
| 11/03/2020 | $8,750 | 1 | 203122518709 | eBay | matthewevan | Best Offer | 41901776 |
| 10/14/2020 | $32,001 | 3.5 | 402473629332 | eBay | pwcc_auctions | Auction | 41230492 |
| 09/15/2020 | $108,000 | 7 | 53734 | Heritage Auctions | The Partnerone Collection Sports Card Catalog Auct | Auction | 01148615 |
| 07/28/2020 | $22,500 | 4 | 324242917626 | eBay | gmcards2 | Best Offer | 45790540 |
| 06/22/2020 | $18,830 | 4 | 84 | Lelands | Spring Classic 2020 | Auction | 45790540 |
| 06/01/2020 | $27,631 | 4.5 | 19 | Memory Lane, Inc. | Spring Rarities Auction 2020 | Auction | 42918447 |
| 05/18/2020 | $21,500 | 3 | 324156961395 | eBay | gmcards2 | Buy It Now | 20935783 |
| 05/08/2020 | $10,000 | 1.5 | 362989724098 | eBay | krukcards | Best Offer | 27916162 |
| 04/20/2020 | $19,800 | 3 | 875 | Robert Edward Auctions | 2020 Spring | Auction | 20935783 |
| 03/31/2020 | $25,000 | 5 | 353015791726 | eBay | pwcc_auctions | Auction | 09146084 |
| 12/09/2019 | $75,000 | 7 | 10 | Robert Edward Auctions | 2019 Fall | Auction | 08169756 |
| 12/09/2019 | $27,600 | 4.5 | 1042 | Robert Edward Auctions | 2019 Fall | Auction | 23545563 |
| 11/10/2019 | $4,439 | Auth | 401941682095 | eBay | pwcc_auctions | Auction | 28591196 |
| 10/21/2019 | $8,610 | 1.5 | 139 | Goldin Auctions | 2019 October Legends Closing October 19 | Auction | 44228095 |
| 06/08/2019 | $22,206 | 3.5 | 249 | Lelands | 2019 Spring Classic | Auction | 23561851 |
| 04/06/2019 | $32,660 | 4.5 | 69 | Memory Lane, Inc. | Spring Break Rarities Auction 2019 | Auction | 42918447 |
| 03/24/2019 | $27,000 | 5 | 1058 | Robert Edward Auctions | 2019 Spring | Auction | 30874140 |
| 02/11/2019 | $21,099 | 3 | 143113101859 | eBay | pwcc_auctions | Auction | 90399554 |
| 01/14/2019 | $6,633 | 1 | 401679377541 | eBay | pwcc_auctions | Auction | 41901776 |
| 11/20/2018 | $432,000 | 8 | 80449 | Heritage Auctions | 2018 November 15-16 Fall Sports Card Catalog Aucti | Auction | 08133425 |
| 10/30/2018 | $45,000 | 5 | 904 | Robert Edward Auctions | 2018 Fall | Auction | 50053869 |
| 10/05/2018 | $7,349 | 1 | 650 | Mile High Card Company | September/October 2018 Auction | Auction | 41901776 |
| 08/17/2018 | $66,725 | 7 | 153 | Lelands | 2018 Invitational | Auction | 03289538 |
| 08/12/2018 | $31,634 | 3.5 | 352421374024 | eBay | pwcc_auctions | Auction | 41230492 |
| 05/29/2018 | $21,500 | 4 | 142788630206 | eBay | user987654987654 | Best Offer | 25792194 |
| 05/06/2018 | $66,000 | 7 | 1070 | Robert Edward Auctions | 2018 Spring | Auction | 08135809 |
| 04/20/2018 | $84,000 | 7 | 81595 | Heritage Auctions | 2018 April 19-20 Spring Sports Card Catalog Auctio | Auction | 08169756 |
| 11/18/2017 | $84,000 | 7 | 80492 | Heritage Auctions | Heritage November 16-18, 2017 | Auction | 30282761 |
| 10/30/2017 | $72,000 | 7 | 822 | Robert Edward Auctions | 2017 Fall | Auction | 08182147 |
| 10/30/2017 | $24,000 | 3 | 827 | Robert Edward Auctions | 2017 Fall | Auction | 12020259 |
| 05/22/2017 | $66,000 | 7 | 1092 | Robert Edward Auctions | 2017 Spring | Auction | 08182147 |
| 05/22/2017 | $18,000 | 3 | 1089 | Robert Edward Auctions | 2017 Spring | Auction | 20935783 |
| 04/20/2017 | $12,687 | 3 | 352028241828 | eBay | www.stevenovella.com | Auction | 22970099 |
| 03/05/2017 | $108,039 | 7 | 1 | Mile High Card Company | March 2017 | Auction | 30282761 |
| 09/07/2016 | $19,600 | 4 | 142100590581 | eBay | pwcc_auctions | Auction | 22660739 |
| 08/28/2016 | $17,925 | 4 | 80316 | Heritage Auctions | 2016 August 27-28 Sports Collectibles Platinum A.. | Auction | 25792194 |
| 10/17/2015 | $20,400 | 5.5 | 351 | Robert Edward Auctions | 2015 Fall | Auction | 24687103 |
| 10/13/2015 | $8,828 | 3 | 295 | Mile High Card Company | October 2015 Auction | Auction | 90399554 |
| 08/24/2014 | $28,059 | 7 | 63 | Memory Lane, Inc. | 2014 Summer Rarities Auction | Auction | 01148615 |
| 11/27/2013 | $1,408 | 1 | 55 | Mile High Card Company | Extra Innings November 2013 | Auction | 22170094 |
| 12/16/2012 | $25,462 | 7 | 43 | Memory Lane, Inc. | The Find Winter 2012 | Auction | 07063868 |
| 05/25/2012 | $7,235 | 5 | 494 | Mile High Card Company | May 2012 Auction | Auction | 04228031 |
| 05/12/2012 | $6,229 | 5 | 915 | SCP Auctions | MAY 2012 PREMIER INTERNET AUCTION | Auction | 09146084 |
| 11/11/2011 | $3,944 | 5 (OC) | 80182 | Heritage Auctions | 2011 November 10-11 Vintage Sports Collectibles .. | Auction | 06093684 |
| 01/01/2011 | $29,375 | 7 | 759 | Robert Edward Auctions | 2011 Auction | Auction | 01299569 |
| 08/10/2010 | $7,440 | 4 | 186 | Greg Bussineau Auctions | Summer 2010 Vintage Trading Cards and Memorabilia | Auction | 16805374 |
| 01/01/2009 | $16,450 | 7 | 605 | Robert Edward Auctions | 2009 Auction | Auction | 07063868 |
| 03/08/2008 | $18,289 | 7 | 392 | Goodwin and Co. Auctions | Masterpieces and Uncommon Commons XIV | Auction | 01299569 |
| 02/14/2008 | $9,829 | 6 | 27 | Mile High Card Company | Winter 2008 Auction | Auction | 07260312 |
| 11/07/2007 | $19,814 | 7 | 415 | Goodwin and Co. Auctions | Masterpieces and Uncommon Commons XV | Auction | 01148615 |
| 01/01/2007 | $3,231 | 3 | 466 | Robert Edward Auctions | 2007 Auction | Auction | 04545079 |
| 11/06/2006 | $2,075 | 1 | 397 | SCP Auctions | SCP Auctions November 2006 Internet Auction | Auction | 09131275 |