1909-11 T206 Ambrose Puttman
1909–11 T206 Ambrose Puttman
Louisville Colonels · American Association · 350 Only print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Ambrose Puttman is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Ambrose Puttman, a member of the historic Louisville Colonels (American Association), and was printed in the 350 Only series, known with 6 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 734 examples have been graded, with only 14 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Ambrose Puttman
Born 1880 in Cincinnati, Ohio (d. 1936), Ambrose Puttmann (spelled "Puttman" on the card) was a left-handed pitcher who appeared in four major-league seasons for the New York Highlanders (1903-05) and St. Louis Cardinals (1906), compiling an 8-9 record with a 3.58 ERA.
Confirmed backs (6)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 445 | 11 | 28 | 60 | 116 | 73 | 97 | 60 |
| SGC | 289 | 3 | 7 | 35 | 45 | 79 | 53 | 67 |
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 | 227 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 51 |
| Sweet Caporal | 31 |
| Polar Bear | 27 |
| El Principe de Gales | 19 |
| Tolstoi | 9 |
| Carolina Brights | 6 |
| Unknown back | 75 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| Carolina Brights 1909-11 | 5 |
| El Principe de Gales 1909-11 | 15 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 172 |
| Polar Bear 1909-11 | 30 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 60 |
| Tolstoi 1909-11 | 7 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Ambrose Puttman card?
The Ambrose Puttman 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 Louisville Colonels player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 6 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 734 examples of the Ambrose Puttman have been graded, with only 14 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Ambrose Puttman come with?
The Ambrose Puttman is confirmed with 6 tobacco-brand backs: Carolina Brights, El Principe de Gales, Piedmont, Polar Bear (Scrap), Sweet Caporal, Tolstoi. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Ambrose Puttman 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.