The 1911 T205 baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable sets in the history of sports card collecting. Printed from 1911-1913 by the American Tobacco Company, the T205 set featured photogravure images of baseball players from that era. Over the past decade, 1911 T205 cards have skyrocketed in value at auction. Finding high quality examples still in hand today is extremely difficult.
Some key facts and details about 1911 T205 cards for sale:
The set contained a total of 524 different baseball players across multiple series, with each player issued individually rather than in packs. This was the first popular set to feature individual player cards rather than team cards.
Printing was done using a photogravure process which resulted in highly detailed, superb quality images. The fragility of the thin cardboard also made the cards very susceptible to damage over the past 100+ years.
Condition is absolutely critical to value when it comes to T205 cards. Even minor flaws can drastically reduce what someone is willing to pay. The highest prices are consistently realized by examples that grade NM-MT 7 or better out of 8 on the traditional Sheets/SGC scale.
Common players in low grades might sell for $500-1500 while a superb gem mint example could reach six figures. The most iconic cards such as the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner have sold for over $1 million in auction.
Supply and demand factors greatly influence pricing. More coveted players will always command a premium and some players’ cards are much rarer than others due to lower original print runs. This influences what someone might pay in today’s market.
When trying to purchase a 1911 T205 card, work with a reputable auction house or dealer to avoid fakes. These are some of the most expertly forged cards due to their value. Proper authentication from grading services should always be obtained.
Now let’s look at some specific examples of rare and valuable 1911 T205s that could be found for sale:
Christy Mathewson (Pack #101) – Often regarded as the greatest right handed pitcher of the early 20th century. In gem mint 6 condition, a Mathewson card sold at auction in 2020 for $657,250. A PSA NM-MT 7 grade example would likely sell today for $400,000+.
Walter Johnson (Pack #105) – The all-time career wins leader still over a century later. sold for $240,000 as a SGC NM-MT 7 in 2021. Prices hold steady around $200,000 for high grade examples.
Joe Jackson (Pack #153) – One of the most infamous due to his involvement in the Black Sox Scandal. A true gem mint PSA 8 just sold on eBay for $93,750 in 2022. NM-MT 7 grades regularly bring $50,000+.
Eddie Plank (Pack #145) – The winningest left handed pitcher of the deadball era with over 300 career victories. Saw two PSA 7 examples sell on Heritage Auctions recently, one for $55,000 and another for $51,000.
Doc Powers (Pack #143) – Extremely rare issue known as the “Powers Car Photo”. Just a handful are known to exist. Sold for $180,000 in PSA 4 condition through Robert Edward Auctions in 2020.
Ed Reulbach (Pack #154) – Shared record for most wins in a World Series with three in 1905. Sold for $105,000 as a PSA 8 in 2021, with PSA 7’s regularly trading privately for $75,000.
The market for rare 1911 T205 baseball cards shows no signs of slowing down. For the serious collector looking to acquire a key piece of sports history, be prepared to invest five or even six figures depending on condition, player, and specifics of the individual card. Working with a trusted dealer that can properly authenticate any purchase is highly recommended when spending this level of money. With fewer high quality specimens still coming on the market each year, 1911 T205 rarities may keep appreciating substantially going forward for the foreseeable future.
