1909-11 T206 Bill Cranston
1909–11 T206 Bill Cranston
Memphis Turtles · Southern Association · Southern Leaguer print series · also a T213-1 Coupon back
The 1909–1911 T206 Bill Cranston is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Bill Cranston, a member of the historic Memphis Turtles (Southern Association), and was printed in the Southern Leaguer series, known with 3 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 481 examples have been graded, with only 9 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Bill Cranston
Bill Cranston was a longtime minor leaguer who never reached the majors, playing in the Southern Association for the Memphis Egyptians (1908) and Memphis Turtles (1909) and batting .335 for the Denver Grizzlies of the Western League in 1910.
Confirmed backs (3)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 262 | 7 | 9 | 33 | 43 | 61 | 53 | 56 |
| SGC | 219 | 2 | 4 | 23 | 37 | 39 | 33 | 81 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Old Mill | 123 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 116 |
| Hindu | 23 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| Hindu 1909-11 | 12 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 115 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 92 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Bill Cranston card?
The Bill Cranston 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 Memphis Turtles player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 3 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 481 examples of the Bill Cranston have been graded, with only 9 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Bill Cranston come with?
The Bill Cranston is confirmed with 3 tobacco-brand backs: Hindu, Old Mill, Piedmont. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Bill Cranston 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.