Ten Valuable Joe DiMaggio Baseball Collectibles

Joe DiMaggio signed 1940 Hillerich & Bradsby Louisville Slugger advertising sign $2,031.50

Joe DiMaggio (1914-1999) played his entire 13-year career with the New York Yankees. Like many ballplayers of the era, DiMaggio’s career was interrupted by his military service during World War II. Affectionately known as “Joltin’ Joe,” “Joe D” and “The Yankee Clipper,” DiMaggio was a 13-time All Star selection and three-time American League MVP (1939, 1941, 1947). In 1941, Joe D compiled a 56-game hitting streak, which The New York Times later coined “perhaps the most enduring record in sports.” Joe DiMaggio was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955.

Here are ten valuable Joe DiMaggio baseball collectibles sure to warm the hearts of Yankee fans everywhere. Now playing center field once again, the incomparable #5 Joe DiMaggio!

Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe Signed Baseball

On January 14, 1954, Joe DiMaggio and Hollywood movie star Marilyn Monroe were married at San Francisco City Hall. And although the union lasted only nine months, DiMaggio and Monroe reigned as the number one celebrity couple during that time. A one-of-a-kind Official American League Joe Cronin baseball signed by both DiMaggio and Monroe – once the property of a New York news photographer – brought a staggering $191,200 at auction.

Joe DiMaggio/Marilyn Monroe autographed baseball obtained in the early 1960s $191,200

Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe Signed Restaurant Menu

One lucky autograph seeker had Joe D and film star Marilyn Monroe sign a children’s menu from The Big Top restaurant at The Tides Hotel and Bath Club in Redington Beach, Florida. This item brought a top bid of $5,975 at auction.

Joe DiMaggio 1939 Play Ball Baseball Card

Card #26 features Joseph Paul DiMaggio, Jr. in the 1939 Play Ball baseball card series. An example in graded/certified PSA near mint-mint 8 condition sold at auction for $1,792.50.

Joe DiMaggio 1940 Play Ball Baseball Card

Card #1 Joe DiMaggio leads off the popular 1940 Play Ball baseball card set issued by Gum, Inc. of Philadelphia. One example in graded/certified PSA excellent-mint 6 condition fetched $776.75 at auction.

Joe DiMaggio 1933-36 Zeenut PCL Baseball Card

Before he ascended to the big leagues and the New York Yankees, Joe DiMaggio played for the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League (PCL). The Collins-McCarthy Candy Co. of San Francisco, makers of Zeenut, issued an unnumbered Joe DiMaggio throwing card during the 1933-36 era, with one example in graded/certified SGC 30 good 2 condition bringing $8,126 at auction.

Joe DiMaggio 1933-36 Zeenut card $8,126

Joe DiMaggio 1947 Signed Baseball Contract

On November 7, 1946, Joe DiMaggio inked another contract with the New York Yankees which called for an annual salary of $42,450 for the 1947 baseball season – the identical sum he had earned in 1942 before joining the U.S. Army Air Forces. This contract bears Joe D’s signature and that of Yankees general manager Larry MacPhail. This one-of-a-kind gem brought $14,340 at auction.

Joe DiMaggio Signed Life Magazine

Joe D graced the cover of the August 1, 1949, issue of Life magazine, featuring the inside story “It’s Great to Be Back.” One copy signed by DiMaggio in black sharpie sold at auction for $239.

Joe DiMaggio Little Johnny Strikeout Records

Capitol issued a pair of Little Johnny Strikeout records showcasing “a Story About Baseball featuring Joe DiMaggio” in 1949. In handsome album jacket depicting Joe D on the cover, this item brought a reasonable $47 at auction.

Joe DiMaggio 1940 Signed Hillerich & Bradsby Advertising Sign

Hillerich & Bradsby, the famous maker of Louisville Slugger bats, produced a Joe DiMaggio cardboard advertising sign in 1940. Joe D later autographed one example for famed super collector Barry Halper, which sold at auction for $2,031.50.

Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams Signed Photo

Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams were the premier hitters of their era. A photo signed by both Hall of Famers brought $334.60 at auction.

DiMaggio and Ted Williams autographed photo $334.60

Credits

• All auction results and images courtesy Heritage Auction Galleries, Dallas, Texas