Rookie cards from the 1940s and earlier can be found by searching through this section of The Sports Collectors Store.  Vintage rookie cards are great to collect and generally a great sports memorabilia investment too.  Baseball cards from this era can be found in a variety of grades but make sure you find one that isn't altered.  Sometimes buying cards from SGC or PSA grading is best.
1948 Bowman BB-#8 Phil Rizzuto,  Yankees (R) PSA 3
1948 Bowman BB-#8 Phil Rizzuto, Yankees (R) PSA 3
$78.00 (8 Bids)
Time Left: 13h 45m
1948 Bowman #36 Stan Musial Rookie St. Louis Cardinals
1948 Bowman #36 Stan Musial Rookie St. Louis Cardinals
$71.00 (12 Bids)
Time Left: 16h 7m
Al Evans 1949 Leaf Rookie # 22
Al Evans 1949 Leaf Rookie # 22
$2.76 (2 Bids)
Time Left: 16h 56m
1933 Goudey #2 Arthur Dazzy Vance  RC HOF  (Rare Low #)
1933 Goudey #2 Arthur Dazzy Vance RC HOF (Rare Low #)
$20.50 (6 Bids)
Time Left: 1d 16h 54m
1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio RP Yankees
1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio RP Yankees
$0.99 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 1d 16h 57m
1933 Goudey #14 Henry Johnson   RC  (Rare Low #)
1933 Goudey #14 Henry Johnson RC (Rare Low #)
$0.99 (1 Bids)
Time Left: 1d 16h 58m
1933 Goudey #137 Fred (Red ) Lucas  RC
1933 Goudey #137 Fred (Red ) Lucas RC
$0.99 (1 Bids)
Time Left: 1d 17h 2m
1968 Topps Mets Rookies #177 Baseball Card PSA NM+ 7.5
1968 Topps Mets Rookies #177 Baseball Card PSA NM+ 7.5
$114.50 (7 Bids)
Time Left: 2d 5h 15m
1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #53 Baseball Card PSA MK 2
1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #53 Baseball Card PSA MK 2
$750.00 (24 Bids)
Time Left: 2d 5h 26m
1952 Topps Duke Snider #37 Baseball Card PSA NM+ 7.5
1952 Topps Duke Snider #37 Baseball Card PSA NM+ 7.5
$232.51 (8 Bids)
Time Left: 2d 5h 31m
1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig #160 Baseball Card PSA Good 2
1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig #160 Baseball Card PSA Good 2
$480.00 (18 Bids)
Time Left: 2d 5h 36m
1911 M116 Sporting Life Walter Johnson  Baseball Card
1911 M116 Sporting Life Walter Johnson Baseball Card
$51.00 (10 Bids)
Time Left: 2d 5h 41m
1887 N172 Old Judge Stump Weidman Baseball Card PSA MK7
1887 N172 Old Judge Stump Weidman Baseball Card PSA MK7
$227.50 (11 Bids)
Time Left: 2d 5h 46m
T205 Gold Border Christy Mathewson Baseball Card
T205 Gold Border Christy Mathewson Baseball Card
$149.50 (8 Bids)
Time Left: 2d 5h 51m
T206 El Prin. De Gales Cy Young Baseball Card PSA VG 3
T206 El Prin. De Gales Cy Young Baseball Card PSA VG 3
$395.00 (9 Bids)
Time Left: 2d 5h 55m
1948-49 LEAF # 70 HONUS WAGNER PIRATES VINTAGE
1948-49 LEAF # 70 HONUS WAGNER PIRATES VINTAGE
$75.00 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 2d 11h 44m
1948 Leaf #76 Ted Williams PSA 8
1948 Leaf #76 Ted Williams PSA 8
$5,999.00
Time Left: 3d 7h 56m
PAUL WANER *RC* 1933 Goudey #25 VINTAGE--HALL of FAMER
PAUL WANER *RC* 1933 Goudey #25 VINTAGE--HALL of FAMER
$69.00 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 3d 9h 5m
1948 Leaf Del Ennis #49 rookie Philadelphia Phillies
1948 Leaf Del Ennis #49 rookie Philadelphia Phillies
$2.10 (2 Bids)
Time Left: 3d 9h 48m
Luke Appling CHICAGO WHITE SOX 1934 Goudey #27 RC
Luke Appling CHICAGO WHITE SOX 1934 Goudey #27 RC
$24.99
$65.00
Time Left: 3d 10h 52m
1948 BOWMAN #27 SID GORDON OLD!
1948 BOWMAN #27 SID GORDON OLD!
$0.99 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 3d 12h 8m
1948 Bowman Stan Musial PSA DNA vintage signed PSA 10
1948 Bowman Stan Musial PSA DNA vintage signed PSA 10
$450.00 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 3d 13h 2m
1947 Jackie Robinson Homogenized Bread ROOKIE Card - NM
1947 Jackie Robinson Homogenized Bread ROOKIE Card - NM
$74.99
$125.00
Time Left: 3d 15h 38m
1947 Brooklyn Dodgers Yankees World Series Ticket PSA
1947 Brooklyn Dodgers Yankees World Series Ticket PSA
$9.99 (1 Bids)
Time Left: 3d 15h 38m
1949 Bowman #214 Richie Ashburn Rookie Card PSA 8 NM-MT
1949 Bowman #214 Richie Ashburn Rookie Card PSA 8 NM-MT
$1,499.99 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 3d 16h 54m
1948 LEAF STAN MUSIAL ~HOF ROOKIE AUTO~
1948 LEAF STAN MUSIAL ~HOF ROOKIE AUTO~
$1,000.00
Time Left: 4d 16h 33m
Baseball card piedmont  Billy Sullivan CHICAGO 1909
Baseball card piedmont Billy Sullivan CHICAGO 1909
$19.99 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 4d 16h 44m
1949 Bowman Baseball-#54 Marty Marion,  Cardinals PSA 7
1949 Bowman Baseball-#54 Marty Marion, Cardinals PSA 7
$9.95 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 4d 16h 53m
1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio RP Yankees
1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio RP Yankees
$0.99 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 4d 16h 58m
1948 1949 Leaf #32 Warren Spahn RC BVG BGS 7
1948 1949 Leaf #32 Warren Spahn RC BVG BGS 7
$389.99
Time Left: 4d 17h 16m
1909 T206 JOHNNY EVERS CHICAGO CUBS H.O.F. TRIM NICE
1909 T206 JOHNNY EVERS CHICAGO CUBS H.O.F. TRIM NICE
$199.00 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 5d 5h 19m
1909 T 206 PIEDMONT BOB RHOADES CLEV. EXELLENT PSA5
1909 T 206 PIEDMONT BOB RHOADES CLEV. EXELLENT PSA5
$150.00 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 5d 5h 30m
1909T206 SWEET CAPORAL RED MURRAY BATTING N.Y.G.PSA 4.5
1909T206 SWEET CAPORAL RED MURRAY BATTING N.Y.G.PSA 4.5
$150.00 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 5d 5h 41m
1909T206 NAP LAJOIE CLEVELAND HALL OF FAMER PSA1
1909T206 NAP LAJOIE CLEVELAND HALL OF FAMER PSA1
$299.99 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 5d 6h 4m
1909 T206 SWEET CAPORAL DOTS MILLER PITTSBURG PSA5 EX.
1909 T206 SWEET CAPORAL DOTS MILLER PITTSBURG PSA5 EX.
$175.00 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 5d 6h 14m
1909T206 SWEET CAPORAL JOE KELLY HALL OF FAMER PSA1
1909T206 SWEET CAPORAL JOE KELLY HALL OF FAMER PSA1
$99.00 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 5d 6h 24m
1909T206 SWEET CAPORAL JOHN MCGRAW N.Y.NATL. PSA 1.5
1909T206 SWEET CAPORAL JOHN MCGRAW N.Y.NATL. PSA 1.5
$150.00 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 5d 6h 36m
1909T206 SWEET CAPORAL BUNK CONGALTON COLUMBUS PSA 4.5
1909T206 SWEET CAPORAL BUNK CONGALTON COLUMBUS PSA 4.5
$175.00 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 5d 6h 47m
1909T206 SWEET CAPORAL DEACON PHILLIPPE PITTS.PSA 4.5EX
1909T206 SWEET CAPORAL DEACON PHILLIPPE PITTS.PSA 4.5EX
$125.00 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 5d 7h 16m
1948 Bowman #12 JOHNNY SAIN RC Rookie sp F-G BV$80
1948 Bowman #12 JOHNNY SAIN RC Rookie sp F-G BV$80
$3.99 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 5d 13h 49m
1948 Bowman #19 TOMMY "The Clutch" HENRICH sp F-G BV$60
1948 Bowman #19 TOMMY "The Clutch" HENRICH sp F-G BV$60
$3.99 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 5d 13h 55m
1933 Goudey #69 RANDY MOORE RC Rookie SP F-G BV$60
1933 Goudey #69 RANDY MOORE RC Rookie SP F-G BV$60
$3.99 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 5d 14h 1m
1951 Bowman #6 DON NEWCOMBE sp P-F BV$60 Dodgers
1951 Bowman #6 DON NEWCOMBE sp P-F BV$60 Dodgers
$3.99 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 5d 14h 7m
1939   PLAYBALL   CHARLIE  KELLER   ROOKIE  !!!
1939 PLAYBALL CHARLIE KELLER ROOKIE !!!
$24.99
Time Left: 5d 17h 11m
1909 T206 SWEET COPORAL SHARPE NEWARK FAIR COND.
1909 T206 SWEET COPORAL SHARPE NEWARK FAIR COND.
$12.95 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 6d 4h 11m
1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio RP Yankees
1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio RP Yankees
$0.99 (0 Bids)
Time Left: 6d 16h 57m
Ty Cobb Premium Card In Screwdown Holder
Ty Cobb Premium Card In Screwdown Holder
$4.99
Time Left: 8d 6h 12m
TY COBB ALL CENTURY TEAM Card In Screwdown
TY COBB ALL CENTURY TEAM Card In Screwdown
$4.99
Time Left: 10d 9h 33m
LOU GEHRIG PREMIUM Card In Screwdown Holder
LOU GEHRIG PREMIUM Card In Screwdown Holder
$4.99
Time Left: 11d 8h 45m
1933  GOUDEY  # 76   MICKEY  COCHRANE   ROOKIE  BV $500
1933 GOUDEY # 76 MICKEY COCHRANE ROOKIE BV $500
$174.99
Time Left: 12d 16h 22m
 1948   BOWMAN  # 12    JOHNNY  SAIN    ROOKIE !!!
1948 BOWMAN # 12 JOHNNY SAIN ROOKIE !!!
$39.99
Time Left: 14d 10h 4m
Early Wynn 1949 Bowman RC #110,  PSA EX-MT 6
Early Wynn 1949 Bowman RC #110, PSA EX-MT 6
$109.95
Time Left: 16d 13h 56m
1910-11 WALTER JOHNSON SPORTING LIFE M116 SGC 50 5
1910-11 WALTER JOHNSON SPORTING LIFE M116 SGC 50 5
$1,195.00
Time Left: 18d 8h 34m
1948 Bowman Bob Elliott Rookie Card #1
1948 Bowman Bob Elliott Rookie Card #1
$29.99
Time Left: 20d 16h 56m
1948 Bowman Bob Feller Rookie Card #5
1948 Bowman Bob Feller Rookie Card #5
$59.99
Time Left: 20d 16h 56m
1948  BOWMAN  FERRIS  FAIN    ROOKIE    !!!!
1948 BOWMAN FERRIS FAIN ROOKIE !!!!
$34.99
Time Left: 23d 14h
1948  BOWMAN   # 31   BILL  MCCAHAN    ROOKIE    !!!!
1948 BOWMAN # 31 BILL MCCAHAN ROOKIE !!!!
$29.99
Time Left: 23d 14h 4m
1948  BOWMAN   # 32   BILL  RIGNEY    ROOKIE    !!!!
1948 BOWMAN # 32 BILL RIGNEY ROOKIE !!!!
$19.99
Time Left: 23d 14h 11m
1949 BOWMAN ROBIN ROBERTS ~HOF ROOKIE AUTO~
1949 BOWMAN ROBIN ROBERTS ~HOF ROOKIE AUTO~
$350.00
Time Left: 25d 16h 5m
BABE RUTH:  EXTREMELY RARE 1939 SMALL AFRICAN TOBACCO
BABE RUTH: EXTREMELY RARE 1939 SMALL AFRICAN TOBACCO
$1,325.00
Time Left: 28d 10h 15m
LOU GEHRIG PREMIUM Card In Screwdown Holder
LOU GEHRIG PREMIUM Card In Screwdown Holder
$4.99
Time Left: 28d 21h 10m
LOU GEHRIG UPPER DECK Card In Screwdown Holder
LOU GEHRIG UPPER DECK Card In Screwdown Holder
$4.99
Time Left: 28d 21h 10m
HONUS WAGNER Premium Card In Screwdown Holder
HONUS WAGNER Premium Card In Screwdown Holder
$4.99
Time Left: 28d 21h 10m
1933   GOUDEY  # 23   KI-KI  CUYLER   (HOF)    ROOKIE
1933 GOUDEY # 23 KI-KI CUYLER (HOF) ROOKIE
$59.99
Time Left: 29d 8h 20m
1933   GOUDEY   # 227  BILL  HERMAN   (HOF)    ROOKIE
1933 GOUDEY # 227 BILL HERMAN (HOF) ROOKIE
$44.99
Time Left: 29d 8h 22m