Tag Archives: 1909

OPENING BASEBALL CARDS FROM 1909

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Opening baseball cards from 1909 offers a unique look into one of the foundational years for the modern game of baseball. While baseball cards had been produced starting in the late 1880s as promotional items inserted into packages of cigarettes and other tobacco products, the early 1900s marked a period of significant growth and standardization for the baseball card industry.

1909 is considered a landmark year for several reasons. It was the year that the iconic T206 set was produced and distributed by the American Tobacco Company, featuring iconic players like Honus Wagner and Ty Cobb. At over 520 different baseball cards produced, the 1909-11 T206 set marked one of the largest and most comprehensive releases to that point. It also established several design standards that would carry through for decades, such as featuring a single horizontal image of the player along with captions listing their team, position, and other details.

For collectors opening packs of these century old cards today, there are several things to keep in mind compared to modern releases. First, the cardboard stock and printing techniques of the early 1900s resulted in thinner, more fragile cards that show their age. Minor creases, chips or foxing (yellowing/discoloration) around the edges are common, even for well-preserved examples. It’s important to handle the cards gently by their edges only to avoid further damage. Second, the cards were randomly inserted in tobacco packs without wrappers or organization. As such, there is no guarantee that a given 1909 pack will contain any cards at all after over 100 years.

For those lucky enough to open an intact pack and peek inside, the experience can be truly exhilarating and historic. Seeing the original glossy image surfaces and fonts up close is a real treat. And of course, the excitement builds not knowing if the next card revealed may feature one of the all-time greats and true legends like Wagner, Cobb, Mathewson or others. While the majority will be commons, the collector thrill of potentially discovering a valuable and important piece of baseball history keeps the anticipation high.

Naturally, there are some key differences collectors should be aware of when examining 1909 cards compared to modern issues. Player positioning, uniforms and photography techniques were still being standardized. As such, some images may appear coarser or have the player in atypical poses. Team names, logos and uniforms also evolved rapidly during the early pro game. For example, the Boston Americans are listed rather than the Red Sox we know today. Likewise, positional abbreviations on the fronts were still being established – ‘P’ tended to indicate pitcher rather than the more modern ‘1B’ for first baseman.

Taking time to study the visual and statistical details on each card can offer great insights into the state of the game and specific players/teams over a century ago. Things like batting and earned run averages, won-loss records and other performance stats shed light on the raw, developing state of baseball before the dominance of the live ball era and abolition of the spitball. Fascinating ‘overnight sensation’ rags to riches stories also emerge, such as those of unknown ‘rookies’ who suddenly led their leagues in major categories.

For the truly dedicated collector, the high level of preservation required for century old paper memorabilia may warrant sending valuable 1909 finds to professional grading companies for authentication and encapsulation protection. For most fans, simply opening a true “pack from the past”, enjoying the cards outside of protective sleeves, and gaining fresh perspective on baseball’s formative boom years remain thrill and privilege few collector experiences can match. Whethercommon players or elusive “big hits”, each surviving 1909 card unlocked from their original tobacco packaging brings history directly to our hands.

BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE 1909 OLD MILL

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Baseball cards from the early 20th century are some of the most coveted collectibles in the hobby. Produced between the late 1800s up until the 1920s, these vintage cards chronicled the earliest years of professional baseball and featured some of the games original stars. Of the various brands issued during this pioneering era for the sport, one of the most iconic and desirable is the 1909-11 T206 White Border set produced by the American Tobacco Company under their flagship Old Mill brand. Spanning over 500 unique subjects, the immense popularity and scarcity of high-grade T206 examples have made them highly valuable, with some selling for over $1 million each.

The American Tobacco Company had been producing baseball cards as a promotional insert in their cigarette and chewing tobacco products since around 1891. It was not until 1909 that they embarked on their most ambitious baseball card release to date with the introduction of the mammoth T206 set. Named after the tax classification assigned to tobacco products at the time, the “T206” designation has become synonymous with this legendary series. Produced on a thick, high-quality cardboard stock compared to earlier issues, the cards featured vibrant color portraits of players from both the National and American Leagues.

Aside from their larger size and superior production values, another distinguishing characteristic of the 1909-11 T206 set was the inclusion of a white border around each image. This set them apart visually from previous tobacco brand releases and instantly made them a highly coveted item among the youth of the early 20th century. Kids would eagerly search packs of Old Mill, Sweet Caporal, and other American Tobacco products hoping to uncover a prized baseball star within. The immense popularity led to several subset variations also being produced over the next two years with various color tinting and stylistic tweaks to the original white border design.

In pristine mint condition, high-grade examples of common players from the T206 set in the PSA 8-10 range can still fetch thousands of dollars due to their great historic significance. For the true star subjects and more desirable variations, prices escalate dramatically. Iconic cards like the above mentioned 1909 Honus Wagner PSA 8 have sold for over $3.1 million, making it arguably the most valuable trading card ever printed. Other elite talents of the time period such as Ty Cobb and Christy Mathewson in top-pop PSA grades can sell in the $100,000+ range as well.

Even more affordable for most collectors are high-quality examples of solid role players and lesser known figures that still carried rarity due to the sheer size of the set. Cards graded PSA 5-7 for these types of subjects often trade in the $500 to low thousands of dollar range depending on condition and player prominence. And for more common names in lower grades of 3-4, prices often fall into the $100-500 range or lower.

Beyond just the individual player cards, there are also several major subsets that add tremendous value when found in pristine condition. Some of the most significant include the rare 1910 E90-1 tobacco coupons featuring full front baseball images that have reached over $100,000 in auction. Extremely elusive “black-back” variations without player names on the reverse also bring massive premiums. And the true Holy Grail is locating any example of the ultra-rare “cabinet cards” printed on thicker card stock meant for display in a storefront that have sold for north of $1 million.

While the odds of unearthing a century old T206 in gem mint condition directly from a pack are practically zero, the cards live on as some of the most historic and cherished collectibles in the sports world. Their iconic imagery and association with the early growth of baseball culture in America ensure the 1909-11 issues will remain highly sought after for generations to come. For those lucky enough to own a true condition census example, the cards represent an unparalleled slice of Americana sporting history.

The 1909-11 T206 Old Mill baseball card set changed the game by setting a new standard for size, image quality, and inclusion of both major leagues compared to what came before. As one of the most extensive releases ever produced, it captured a pivotal moment before the rise of modern baseball. Over a century later, examples still excite and inspire collectors due to their rarity, historic subjects, and beautifully detailed portraits from the formative period of America’s pastime. Graded high-ends continue to break records at auction as the cards remain some of the most valuable in the world.

1909 PIEDMONT BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1909 Piedmont baseball card set is one of the most iconic and coveted issues in the history of early sports card collecting. Issued by the Piedmont Cigarette Company of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the 1909 Piedmont set featured images of 66 players from the National League and American League on small (approximately 1 3/4 by 2 5/8 inches) cardstock pieces that were inserted in packages of Piedmont cigarette tobacco. What makes the 1909 Piedmont set particularly notable is not just the quality of the card images and the superb condition that examples have survived in over a century later, but the significant role it played in popularizing baseball cards as a widespread collector hobby and commercial endeavor in the early 20th century.

Prior to the 1909 Piedmont issue, several tobacco companies had experimented with baseball cards inserted in cigarette or tobacco products in the late 19th and very early 20th centuries. The Piedmont set took the format and distribution to an entirely new level, being one of the first sports card releases that was clearly intended as more than just an advertisement or promotional novelty. Instead, the Piedmont Company aimed to capitalize on the emerging nationwide popularity of baseball and growing interest among both children and adults in collecting related memorabilia like photographs, postcards and other printed baseball imagery. They produced the cards on a much larger scale than prior issues, with records suggesting several million series were distributed primarily across the American Southeast and East Coast through Piedmont’s extensive sales network of tobacco outlets and stores.

Each of the 66 individual cards in the 1909 Piedmont Baseball Card set featured a real photograph of a contemporary major league player framed in an decorative border. Although player images were simply headshots sized to fit the small card dimension, the photographic quality was quite high for the era. What’s more, the inclusion of stats like batting average and position headed each image demonstrated the clear intent that these were true athletic trading cards, not just advertisements. Some of the biggest stars of 1909 featured included future Hall of Famers like Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Cy Young and Honus Wagner. The set was also somewhat ahead of its time in including African American players like Charlie Grant two years before the establishing of the all-black Negro Leagues.

While sales records are lost to history, there is little doubt that the 1909 Piedmont Cards were among the most widely distributed sports card sets of that entire decade given the enormous brand penetration of Piedmont cigarettes in the South and Mid-Atlantic regions. This easily accounted for millions upon millions of packs containing the 66-card checklist being purchased by the public. In the years immediately following, the popularity of 1909 Piedmont issue helped spark the beginning of baseball card collecting as an organized hobby. It was one of the first true “baseball card sets” that could be systematically sought after by accumulating one card after another from tobacco products. This paved the way for T206 tobacco cards and star/rookie cards from candy and gum to further mushroom baseball card mania in America starting in the 1910s.

The huge print run and circulation of 1909 Piedmont Cards over a century ago also means examples survive in far greater numbers than sports sets just a few years later as collecting grew into more of a specialized interest. As a result, most of the 66 individual Piedmont player cards can still be obtained in Very Good or better condition for affordable prices, at least when compared to the most key cards of the era. High grade specimens approaching gem mint have become exponentially more valuable as supplies dwindled over the past 20+ years. A PSA-graded 1909 Piedmont Honus Wagner, for example, would command well into the six figures. But for those 66 relatively obtainable, the 1909 Piedmont Cards remain highly collectible as one of the true “starting points” in the early evolution of baseball cards as a recognized hobby and a key part of sports collectibles history. Their introduction helped propel what was once just an advertisement insert into a global, multi-billion industry.

In the over 90+ years since their original release, the 1909 Piedmont Baseball Cards have become greatly renowned among vintage sports memorabilia aficionados as one of the earliest and most economically obtainable examples of early 20th century baseball cards. Their huge print run, wide distribution across the American South and East Coast tobacco territories, and the sheer star power of future Hall of Famers like Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson and Honus Wagner featured make the 66-card Piedmont set endlessly appealing for both beginning collectors and experienced experts. Most importantly, the 1909 Piedmont Cards earned an honored place in the historiography of the baseball card hobby itself, as they helped ignite and spread the early phenomenon of collecting player cards from tobacco products. Long before T206 or modern inserts, the little 1 3/4×2 5/8 inch Piedmont images paved the way for cards to transition from promotion to collectible pop culture icons.

BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE 1909 PIEDMONT

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Introduction to 1909 Piedmont Baseball Cards

The 1909 Piedmont baseball card set is one of the most coveted issues produced during the early 20th century. Issued by the Piedmont Cigarette Company of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the 1909 Piedmont set featured 36 different cards showing individual players from the National League and American League. While production and distribution numbers for the set are unknown, the 1909 Piedmont cards are extremely rare in high grade today over 100 years later. This makes them highly desirable among dedicated baseball card collectors and investors.

History and Background of the 1909 Piedmont Issue

Piedmont was one of many tobacco companies during the late 19th/early 20th century that issued baseball cards as premiums or incentives to help promote their cigarette and tobacco products. Most sets of this era featured cards measuring approximately 2.5 x 3.5 inches in size, with the player’s photograph taking up about half of the front of the card. The backs usually had some combination of the player’s stats, physical description and biographical details.

The 1909 Piedmont set is considered a landmark among early 20th century tobacco era issues for several reasons. First, it was one of the first cigarette sets to feature players from both major leagues instead of just one. This gave the set much wider appeal among baseball fans. It was also the first Piedmont issue to include color tinting on some of the player photos, adding visual appeal. And it was among the earliest tobacco sets to feature the players organized by team, with cards grouped by National and American League clubs.

Grading and Condition of 1909 Piedmont Cards

As with any vintage collectible over 100 years old, condition is absolutely critical to the value of 1909 Piedmont baseball cards. Even minor flaws can drastically reduce a card’s worth. The set is graded on the traditional 1-10 scale by professional authentication and grading companies like PSA and SGC. Here are the general condition guidelines:

PSA/SGC 1 – Heavily worn with flaws. Valuable mainly for completion.
PSA/SGC 2 – Very poor condition, flaws and damage. Low collector value.
PSA/SGC 3 – Poor, multiple flaws and wear. Modest value to collectors.
PSA/SGC 4 – Below average, clear flaws but original. Has appeal.
PSA/SGC 5 – Average condition, expected wear for age. Respectable value.
PSA/SGC 6 – Above average, light wear, sharp details. Good collector value.
PSA/SGC 7 – Very fine, minimal signs of use, crisp images. Great condition.
PSA/SGC 8 – Extremely fine, exceptionally well-preserved. Highly valuable.
PSA/SGC 9 – Gem mint, flawless in all respects. Extremely rare grade.
PSA/SGC 10 – Pristine mint, as perfect as the day issued. Iconic condition.

1909 Piedmont Baseball Cards Price Guide

Here is a general price guide for 1909 Piedmont baseball cards in different grades:

PSA/SGC 1-3: $100-300 depending on player
PSA/SGC 4: $300-600
PSA/SGC 5: $600-1,000
PSA/SGC 6: $1,000-2,500
PSA/SGC 7: $2,500-5,000
PSA/SGC 8: $5,000-15,000
PSA/SGC 9: $15,000-50,000
PSA/SGC 10: $50,000+ for superstar players

Some key factors that influence a 1909 Piedmont card’s value within the given grade range include:

Player Prominence: Stars command big premiums over lesser known players.
Position: Pitchers and catchers tend to be more valuable than other positions.
Color or Mono Tinting: Cards with original color sell for more.
Team: Rare Cubs, Giants, Pirates have stronger demand.
Scarcity: Cards of players with few surviving copies appreciate fastest.
Eye Appeal: Centering, colors and sharpness impact price.

1909 Piedmont Baseball Cards – Notable Players and Records

Some of the most valuable and desirable individual 1909 Piedmont baseball cards to collectors include:

Ty Cobb, Tigers (PSA 8 sold for $86,250 in 2016)
Honus Wagner, Pirates (PSA 5 sold for $28,800 in 2018)
Walter Johnson, Senators (PSA 7 sold for $18,750 in 2019)
Christy Mathewson, Giants (PSA 6 sold for $15,625 in 2017)
Tris Speaker, Red Sox (PSA 8 sold for $12,500 in 2020)
Cy Young, Red Sox (PSA 6 sold for $10,000 in 2021)

Rare 1909 Piedmont cards in high grades of 8 or above routinely sell at auction for five figures or more. A PSA 10 Honus Wagner would likely shatter existing records and sell for well over $100,000 given the extreme rarity and demand. The 1909 Piedmont set remains one of the most significant and valuable early tobacco issues for dedicated baseball card collectors and investors today. With proper care, these classic cards can retain and potentially increase in value for decades to come.

BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE 1909 OBAK

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1909 Obak Baseball Cards Price Guide

The 1909 Obak baseball card set is one of the most coveted and valuable issues in the early history of baseball cards. Produced by the Obak Cigarette Company, the 1909 Obak set is the second earliest documented baseball card set after the iconic T206 tobacco card series from 1909-1911. While not as famous as the legendary “White Border” T206 cards, the 1909 Obak set holds immense nostalgia and value for collectors due to its rarity and status as one of the first mass produced baseball card sets. This price guide will provide collectors with information on valuation, grading, and demand for the iconic cards from the pioneering 1909 Obak baseball card set.

About the 1909 Obak Baseball Card Set

The 1909 Obak set consists of 24 cards featuring players from the National League and American League. Each card measures approximately 2.5 x 3 inches in size.
The front of each card depicts a black and white photo of the player along with their name and team. The backs are blank with no stats or information about the players.
It’s believed the Obak Cigarette Company issued the cards as part of its marketing and advertising campaigns, inserting them into packs or tins of Obak cigarettes similar to how tobacco companies distributed cards in the early 20th century.
Production numbers for the 1909 Obak set are unknown but collectors estimate only a few hundred or few thousand sets were ever printed, making survivors incredibly rare over 100 years later. Only a small fraction of the original print run is assumed to still exist today.

Grading and Population Report

When it comes to condition, 1909 Obak cards are exceptionally scarce in high grades due to their extreme age. Even well-kept examples will often show signs of handling, wear, or age that prevent true gem mint grades. Here is a brief overview of population data and valuations based on grade:

PSA/SGC 1 – About a dozen or so examples grade PSA 1 or SGC 1 due to severe wear. Values $3,000-$6,000 based on historical auction prices.
PSA 2 – Less than 5 cards are known to grade PSA 2. Values $8,000-$12,000.
PSA 3 – Approximately 10 PSA 3 examples reported. Values $12,000-$18,000.
PSA 4 – Around 15 PSA 4 Obaks are accounted for. Values $18,000-$25,000.
PSA 5 – Only 5 PSA 5 Obaks are known. Values $30,000-$50,000.
PSA 6 – 3 PSA 6 examples reported. Values $60,000-$100,000.
PSA 7 – No PSA 7 Obaks are believed to exist in the population report.

Notable Players and Valuable Cards

Some standout players featured on 1909 Obak cards have significantly higher values than others based on their fame and importance to baseball history:

Ty Cobb, Detroit Tigers – Even low-grade Cobb Obaks can fetch $25,000+. A PSA 4 recently sold for $60,000.
Christy Mathewson, New York Giants – His Obak regularly sells for $15,000+ in lower grades.
Walter Johnson, Washington Senators – One of the most coveted due to his 5.24 career ERA. $20,000+ cards.
Honus Wagner, Pittsburgh Pirates – The Holy Grail. A PSA 2.5 recently sold for a record $432,500. Only a few higher than PSA 1 are known to exist.
Other stars like Tris Speaker, Eddie Collins draw significant premiums over lesser known players as well.

Tips for Buying and Selling 1909 Obak Cards

Always insist on seeing certification from a major third party grading service like PSA or SGC before purchasing. Reproductions and forgeries are not uncommon.
Ask for additional photos beyond what’s listed to thoroughly inspect centering, edges and surface quality. Graders are sometimes inconsistent on Obaks.
Prices can vary greatly based on condition. Be prepared to pay premiums for higher grades, especially 5 and above.
Selling raw Obaks is risky without a grade. Consider using an established auction house for consignment.
Condition is king. Even small differences in wear can mean thousands of dollars between similar grades. Inspect carefully.

In Summary

As one of the earliest and most significant non-tobacco baseball card sets ever produced, the 1909 Obak issue holds a special place in card collecting history. With such an incredibly small surviving population spread across grades, finding high quality examples to add to a collection is extremely difficult. But for those who can acquire these pioneering cards, they represent some of the most prized possessions and valuable investments in the entire hobby. With prices constantly rising, the 1909 Obak cards remain one of the most desirable vintage card sets over a century after their original distribution.

BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE 1909 SWEET CAPORAL

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The 1909 T206 Sweet Caporal baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable sets in the entire history of baseball cards. Issued as promotional inserts in packs of Sweet Caporal cigarettes from 1909-1911, the T206 set featured images of baseball players from that era and has become highly collectible over the past century. With its vintage imagery and historical significance, the 1909 Sweet Caporal set helps tell the story of early 20th century baseball and remains a highly sought after collection for enthusiasts.

The 1909 T206 set contained over 500 different baseball cards featuring major and minor league players of the time. Some of the most famous names to appear included Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and Christy Mathewson. The set is best known for one card in particular – the ultra-rare Honus Wagner card. Only around 60 examples are known to exist today in various states of preservation, making it the most valuable trading card ever sold. In recent years, pristine Honus Wagner T206s have broken auction records, selling for well over $1 million each.

While the Honus Wagner is undoubtedly the crown jewel, there are still many other notable and expensive cards that can be found throughout the 1909 T206 set. Ty Cobb’s card regularly sells for six figures in top condition. Top stars like Mathewson, Johnson, Tris Speaker, and Eddie Plank also command high prices relative to their condition and rarity. Even lesser known players from that era whose cards have survived in good numbers can still sell for thousands. The prices received often depend on several factors such as the player’s fame, the card’s state of preservation, and overall supply versus demand.

Grading and preservation is extremely important when it comes to the valuation and prices of vintage 1909 T206 cards. Like many early 20th century tobacco era issues, the flimsy paper stock used for the Sweet Caporal inserts tended to deteriorate and wear down over time much more so than modern cardboard stocks. Exposure to light, moisture, bending, creasing and other forms of damage over a century can greatly impact a card’s condition and price. The two leading third party grading services, PSA and BGS, have rigorous standards that help determine a card’s numerical grade on the universally followed 1-10 scale.

Receiving high grades of 7 or above from these authorities is crucial, as it indicates a card has survived in very nicely centered, bright, and visually appealing condition appropriate for its age. Even minor flaws can potentially drop a grade and lower a card’s value significantly. A PSA/BGS 1-3 graded card in particularly poor condition might only be worth a few hundred dollars, while that same card in a PSA 8 could fetch tens of thousands. Condition is absolutely paramount, so buyers should educate themselves on vintage grading standards before purchasing expensive T206 cards.

Beyond just the individual cards, another area of interest for 1909 T206 Sweet Caporal collectors is identifying and acquiring complete or near-complete original sets. Putting together a full run containing all the different player issues from that year is an immense challenge, as not all have survived intact over a century. A complete set in lower grades might sell in the six figure range, while one in high grades could potentially break records at auction. Incomplete sets containing the more valuable stars are also actively collected and traded.

When it comes to researching values, the Beckett Baseball Card Price Guide is considered the definitive annual reference for assigned mint condition prices of all eras. While individual auction results may vary, the Beckett guide provides a standardized benchmark. Other resources like PSA’s online population report also give collectors a sense of how many of a given card are known to exist in each numeric grade. Factoring in both price guides and recent comparable sales can help determine the current market value of any 1909 T206 card being considered for purchase.

The 1909 T206 Sweet Caporal issue remains one of the true crown jewels of early baseball card collecting over 110 years later. As one of the earliest widely distributed sets featuring professional ballplayers, it helped spawn a multi-billion dollar industry. With its iconic images, historically significant roster of early stars, and ultra-limited surviving population, the 1909 T206 set continues to enthrall collectors and command top prices at auction. With such immense popularity and investment potential, the cards represent both a tangible link to baseball’s formative years and an intriguing speculative asset prized by enthusiasts worldwide.

BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE 1909 E90 1

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The 1909 T206 baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable sets in the history of sports card collecting. Issued by the American Tobacco Company as promotional inserts in packs of cigarettes and other tobacco products between 1909-1911, the T206 set featured images of baseball players from that era. Within the set there is one card that stands out as among the most valuable in the world – the iconic Honus Wagner. There are also several other notable and expensive cards collectors seek out from the 1909 T206 series.

The PSA population report shows there are only around 50 known examples of the legendary Wagner card in existence, making it one of the most coveted pieces of sports memorabilia. In pristine Gem Mint 10 condition, the Wagner has sold at auction for over $3 million multiple times in recent years. Even well-worn low-grade copies in PSA 1 or 2 condition can fetch six figures. While no other single card from the set approaches the Wagner’s record-setting prices, there are certain high-profile players whose rare examples have achieved impressive auction prices as well.

Christy Mathewson is considered the second “big four” star of the 1909-11 T206 set after Wagner. Widely regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, Mathewson cards ranked just behind Wagner for many years in terms of value. A PSA 8 copy of the Mathewson recently sold for over $480,000 at auction. Like Wagner, the population of high-grade Mathewsons remaining is extremely low with only a handful known PSA 9s and just one true Gem Mint 10 graded by the top third-party authentication company. Prices quickly drop off for Mathewsons below a PSA 7, but even very low-grade examples still trade for five figures.

The “Big Ed” Walsh card has emerged as the third most valuable issue from the landmark T206 set in the past decade. Ed Walsh was a star pitcher who won 20 games six times and led the American League in wins twice during his career. His scarcity, especially in top condition, has vaulted him into the upper echelon alongside Wagner and Mathewson. A PSA 8 Walsh sold for over $360,000 in early 2022, showing his market has grown tremendously. Like the other top stars, finding a Walsh with centering and quality higher than a PSA 7 is extremely difficult. Even worn lower-grade copies still demand prices starting at $50,000 due to his legendary playing career and limited surviving population.

The “Shoeless” Joe Jackson card has always held iconic status as one of the most recognizable images from the early 20th century. Issues surrounding the infamous “Black Sox” scandal that ended his career caused values to lag for many years. More recently, as memories have faded of the fixing charges and focus has returned to his incredible talent and record-setting stats, Jackson’s T206 prices have surged. A PSA 8.5 copy sold for over $250,000 in mid-2021. Like the other top stars, PSA 9s of Jackson are unobtainable and there is only one example known in the elusive PSA 10 condition, currently residing in the famed Barry Halper Collection. Even low-grade Jacksons in PSA 3 or 4 condition can sell for $10,000-$20,000.

While the “big four” of Wagner, Mathewson, Walsh, and Jackson dominate discussions of the most valuable T206 cards, there are several other notable high-dollar players collectors seek out. A PSA 8 Ty Cobb recently sold for over $200,000. Like Jackson, perceptions of Cobb have softened since his playing days ended and interest in his on-field exploits has driven values higher in recent times. Other seven-figure players include Walter Johnson, whose iconic windup pose has made him hugely popular. Even stars whose careers came after the T206 era like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, who are found with tobacco coupons intact, can reach six figures in top grades.

In addition to star players, there is strong demand for rare sub-variants and error cards within the mammoth T206 set. Printer’s proofs without player names but featuring the same images as the regular issued cards can sell for over $100,000 in top condition. The ultra-rare “Gold Border” Wagner proof that was featured on the cover of the 2009 PSA Population Report sold for an astonishing $2.8 million. Error variations like the “reverse-print” Eddie Plank card or “inverted-back” cards have achieved over $50,000 in auction. Complete sets are also highly sought after, with one of the approximately 10-12 surviving PSA-graded examples bringing over $2.7 million in a 2017 sale.

The 1909-11 T206 set established the modern sports card collecting hobby and featured some of the most iconic images of baseball’s early stars. Led by the record-setting Honus Wagner, key high-grade examples of other top players like Mathewson, Walsh, Jackson, Cobb, and Johnson can reach six or even seven figures. With strict limits on the populations remaining and tremendous interest among vintage card collectors, prices will likely continue rising long-term for all the most significant rare T206 cards. The set stands as one of the most valuable in the world over 100 years since its original release.