1909-11 T206 Bugs Raymond
1909–11 T206 Bugs Raymond
New York Giants · National League · 350 Only print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Bugs Raymond is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Bugs Raymond, a member of the historic New York Giants (National League), and was printed in the 350 Only series, known with 8 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 855 examples have been graded, with only 18 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Bugs Raymond
Arthur Lawrence "Bugs" Raymond broke into pro ball with independent Appleton, Wisconsin in 1903 and Waterloo, Iowa in 1904, and after seasoning in the Southern minors reached the majors to stay with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1907. A right-handed spitball artist, he anchored the last-place Cardinals in 1908, striking out 145 (fourth in the NL) with a 2.03 ERA (tenth) despite a league-high 25 losses. John McGraw acquired him in the Roger Bresnahan trade before 1909, and Raymond delivered his finest season for the New York Giants that year: 18-12 with a 2.47 ERA. His nickname "Bugs" came from "bughouse," slang for an insane asylum, reflecting his eccentric, clownish antics. But chronic alcoholism wrecked his career; even McGraw's iron discipline could not keep him sober, and he was released during the Giants' 1911 pennant run. Over six big-league seasons he went 45-57 with a 2.49 ERA. Raymond died in Chicago on September 7, 1912, at age 30. He is a colorful, sought-after subject in the T206 set.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Confirmed backs (8)
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 | 515 | 15 | 25 | 63 | 97 | 122 | 108 | 85 |
| SGC | 340 | 3 | 0 | 40 | 51 | 70 | 58 | 118 |
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 | 287 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 40 |
| Polar Bear | 37 |
| Sweet Caporal | 29 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 12 |
| American Beauty 1910 | 9 |
| Cycle 1910 | 5 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 2 |
| Unknown back | 94 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| American Beauty 1910 | 5 |
| Cycle 1910 | 3 |
| Drum 1910 | 1 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 227 |
| Polar Bear 1909-11 | 25 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 13 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909-11 | 1 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 65 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Bugs Raymond card?
The Bugs Raymond 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 New York Giants player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 8 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is this T206 card?
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 855 examples of the Bugs Raymond have been graded, with only 18 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Bugs Raymond come with?
The Bugs Raymond is confirmed with 8 tobacco-brand backs: American Beauty, Broad Leaf, Cycle, Drum, Piedmont, Polar Bear (Scrap), Sovereign, Sweet Caporal. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Bugs Raymond 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.
More New York Giants cards
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.