Baseball cards have been around since the late 19th century and have grown to become a multi-billion dollar industry. While today’s cards feature modern players and can sell for thousands, one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the early 20th century is the 1909-1911 T206 White Border set. Within this landmark set are several key cards that continue to captivate collectors. Here’s an in-depth look at 81 of the most notable cards from the original T206 series.
The T206 set marked the first time that American Tobacco included photographs on baseball cards as part of their cigarette packages. Over the next few years, the company issued nearly 600 total cards featuring players from both the American and National Leagues. While production numbers vary for each specific card, it’s estimated around 50 million total T206s were printed, making them relatively common in circulation during their era. Decades of wear and tear have left only a small fraction surviving today in high grades.
One of the most famous cards from the set is the 1909 Honus Wagner. Long considered the “Mona Lisa” of baseball cards, it’s one of the rarest in the world with only 50-200 believed to have been printed due to Wagner asking American Tobacco to pull his card from production over concerns about promoting tobacco to children. In near-mint condition, examples have sold for over $6 million at auction.
Other legendary T206 stars with iconic cards include Ty Cobb, Christy Mathewson, Walter Johnson, and Nap Lajoie. Cobb’s aggressive style of play earned him the nickname “The Georgia Peach” and his card often sells for six figures. Mathewson’s impressive win-loss record and World Series performances make his card another highly coveted one. As one of the first pitchers to throw over 90 mph, Walter Johnson’s intimidating presence and records have kept his card among the most valuable.
In addition to superstars, the set also featured many other notable players from the time like Sherry Magee, Doc White, and Ed Konetchy. Magee played alongside Wagner on the 1909 Pirates and had a successful career batting over .300 six times. White was one of the top pitchers in the dead-ball era and won 20 games four different seasons. Konetchy appeared in over 2,000 games primarily with the Phillies and had a career batting average just under .300.
While the biggest names command the highest prices, there are also several lesser known or rookie cards that can be quite valuable too. For example, the card of pitcher Eddie Cicotte is significant because it was one of his earliest and he would later be banned from baseball for his role in the Black Sox Scandal. High grade examples have sold for over $100,000. Pitcher Rube Marquard’s 1911 card captured him as a rookie before he went on to win 195 games in his career.
In addition to major leaguers, the set also included cards for players in the minor leagues, old-time greats, and managers/coaches. Examples include cards for Lefty O’Doul before he made his MLB debut. O’Doul went on to have a fine career as a player and helped popularize baseball in Japan. The cards of managers Joe McGinnity and Clark Griffith are also notable since both were also former players who later went on to the Hall of Fame, Griffith as an executive.
While the biggest stars understandably receive the most attention, there are also several lesser known players whose scarce T206s can be quite valuable too. Examples include pitchers like Al Demaree, Bob Wicker, and Harry McIntire. Demaree had a solid career and won 20 games twice but his card is quite rare. Wicker and McIntire were also decent hurlers but their T206 rookie cards are very scarce in any grade.
The cards of players who passed away early in their careers can also be valuable since fewer of their rookie cards survived. This includes cards of teammates Otis Clymer and Adolph “Ad” Gunkel who both passed in their early 30s. Clymer showed promise but never fully realized his potential while Gunkel was a decent pitcher for several seasons. Their untimely deaths at a young age make their T206s all the more significant.
When it comes to condition, the highest grades of T206 cards in near mint or gem mint condition can be worth tens or even hundreds of thousands. There are also still opportunities to be found in lower grades. Cards that grade as good or very good can still often sell for thousands due to their scarcity and history. While complete cards are ideal, even examples that have issues like creases, corners bumped, or edge-wear can still retain value when priced appropriately.
The 1909-1911 T206 set revolutionized the baseball card industry and featured some of the game’s earliest superstars. While the biggest names understandably demand top dollar, the set as a whole offers a wide variety of collecting and investment opportunities. Whether pursuing common players or scarce rookies, high grades or problem cards, the T206s continue to enthrall collectors over a century later with their historic images, stories, and staying power in the market. They remain one of the most iconic sets from the early days of the hobby.
