1909-11 T206 Boss Schmidt (Throwing)
1909–11 T206 Boss Schmidt
Detroit Tigers · American Association · 150-350 print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Boss Schmidt (“Throwing” pose) is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Boss Schmidt, a member of the historic Detroit Tigers (American Association), and was printed in the 150-350 series, known with 5 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 868 examples have been graded, with only 29 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Boss Schmidt
Charles "Boss" Schmidt built tremendous strength working the coal mines of Arkansas, and by 1901 was catching for a Fort Smith semipro club before turning pro in 1902. After three seasons in the minors, Detroit purchased him from Minneapolis in 1905, and he became the Tigers' regular catcher from 1906 to 1911. A switch-hitting, 200-pound backstop celebrated for his durability and physical bravery, Schmidt was the starting catcher on Detroit's three straight American League pennant winners (1907-1909), though the Tigers lost all three World Series—twice to the Cubs and once to the Pirates, who ran wild on the bases against him in 1909. Over six big-league seasons he appeared in 477 games and hit .243. Known in his native Arkansas as "Boss," he is remembered for a spring-training fistfight with Ty Cobb that turned the two into lifelong friends. He died impoverished in Altus, Arkansas, in 1932, buried in an unmarked grave until a stone was placed in 1970. Schmidt is a common but historically notable Detroit subject in the T206 set.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Confirmed backs (5)
Chip colour marks each back's rarity tier. See the full T206 back rarity ranking →
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 532 | 27 | 46 | 50 | 123 | 102 | 111 | 73 |
| SGC | 336 | 2 | 1 | 41 | 45 | 72 | 74 | 101 |
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 1909 | 126 |
| Piedmont | 91 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 83 |
| Sweet Caporal | 60 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 25 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 20 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 16 |
| Old Mill | 5 |
| Hindu | 4 |
| Unknown back | 102 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| Hindu 1909-11 | 5 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 1 |
| Piedmont 1909 | 139 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 20 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 11 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 127 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 33 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Boss Schmidt card?
The Boss Schmidt (Throwing) 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 Detroit Tigers player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 5 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is this T206 card?
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 868 examples of the Boss Schmidt have been graded, with only 29 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Boss Schmidt come with?
The Boss Schmidt is confirmed with 5 tobacco-brand backs: Hindu, Old Mill, Piedmont, Sovereign, Sweet Caporal. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Boss Schmidt 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.
Other poses of Boss Schmidt
More Detroit Tigers cards
- Donnie Bush
- Ty Cobb (Portrait - Green)
- Ty Cobb (Portrait - Red)
- Ty Cobb (Bat Off Shoulder)
- Ty Cobb (Bat On Shoulder)
- Sam Crawford (Throwing)
- Sam Crawford (With Bat)
- Wild Bill Donovan (Portrait)
- Wild Bill Donovan (Throwing)
- Hughie Jennings (One Hand Showing)
- Hughie Jennings (Two Hands Showing)
- Hughie Jennings (Portrait)
Sources: t206resource.com, Baseball-Reference, PSA & SGC population reports, and Inside T206 by Scot Reader. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-08-28.