1909-11 T206 Al Orth
1909–11 T206 Al Orth
Lynchburg Shoemakers · Virginia State League · Southern Leaguer print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Al Orth is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Al Orth, a member of the historic Lynchburg Shoemakers (Virginia State League), and was printed in the Southern Leaguer series, known with 2 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 665 examples have been graded, with only 10 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Al Orth
Born 1872 in Sedalia, MO (d. 1948), Al Orth was a right-handed pitcher who debuted in 1895 and played 15 major-league seasons. He went 204-189 with a 3.37 ERA and 948 strikeouts across 440 appearances.
Confirmed backs (2)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 389 | 9 | 16 | 46 | 105 | 68 | 70 | 75 |
| SGC | 276 | 1 | 4 | 19 | 43 | 67 | 52 | 90 |
NM 7+ bundles grades 7–10; 1 & Auth bundles grade 1, 1.5 & Authentic. Totals are subject-level (summed across all backs). Population as of 2026-06.
PSA by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| Piedmont 1910 | 185 |
| Old Mill | 131 |
| Unknown back | 73 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 110 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 166 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Al Orth card?
The Al Orth is one of 524 subjects in the T206 "White Border" tobacco set issued 1909-1911, the hobby's most iconic vintage set (nicknamed "The Monster"). It pictures the Lynchburg Shoemakers player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 2 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 665 examples of the Al Orth have been graded, with only 10 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Al Orth come with?
The Al Orth is confirmed with 2 tobacco-brand backs: Old Mill, Piedmont. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Al Orth valuable?
Value depends heavily on the back brand and the card's grade: common backs in low grade trade modestly, while scarce backs and high grades command strong premiums. Check the current T206 Cards listings and eBay options above for live pricing.