1909-11 T206 Bob Bescher (Hands In Air)
1909–11 T206 Bob Bescher
Cincinnati Reds · National League · 460 Only print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Bob Bescher (“Hands In Air” pose) is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Bob Bescher, a member of the historic Cincinnati Reds (National League), and was printed in the 460 Only series, known with 10 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 792 examples have been graded, with only 16 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Bob Bescher
Born 1884 in London, OH (d. 1942), Bob Bescher was a switch-hitting outfielder who debuted in 1908 and played 11 major-league seasons. He batted .258 with 1,171 hits, 28 home runs, and 428 stolen bases in 1,228 games.
Confirmed backs (10)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 485 | 13 | 40 | 70 | 121 | 92 | 81 | 68 |
| SGC | 307 | 3 | 6 | 30 | 47 | 67 | 52 | 102 |
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 1911 | 185 |
| Sweet Caporal 1911 | 80 |
| Sweet Caporal | 59 |
| Polar Bear | 24 |
| Old Mill | 15 |
| Sovereign 1911 | 15 |
| Tolstoi | 14 |
| El Principe de Gales | 8 |
| American Beauty 1911 | 7 |
| Cycle 1911 | 6 |
| Lenox | 4 |
| Unknown back | 68 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| American Beauty 1911 | 3 |
| Cycle 1911 | 2 |
| El Principe de Gales 1909-11 | 8 |
| Lenox 1909-11 | 1 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 13 |
| Piedmont 1911 | 133 |
| Polar Bear 1909-11 | 16 |
| Sovereign 1911 | 17 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909-11 | 1 |
| Sweet Caporal 1911 | 99 |
| Tolstoi 1909-11 | 14 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Bob Bescher card?
The Bob Bescher (Hands In Air) 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 Cincinnati Reds player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 10 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 792 examples of the Bob Bescher have been graded, with only 16 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Bob Bescher come with?
The Bob Bescher is confirmed with 10 tobacco-brand backs: American Beauty, Cycle, El Principe de Gales, Lenox, Old Mill, Piedmont, Polar Bear (Scrap), Sovereign, Sweet Caporal, Tolstoi. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Bob Bescher 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.