1909-11 T206 Carlos Smith
1909–11 T206 Carlos Smith
Shreveport Pirates · Texas League · Southern Leaguer print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Carlos Smith is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Carlos Smith, a member of the historic Shreveport Pirates (Texas League), and was printed in the Southern Leaguer series, known with 2 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 568 examples have been graded, with only 8 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Carlos Smith
Born 1878 in Lincoln County, Mississippi (d. 1955), Carlos Smith was a right-handed outfielder who played in the minor leagues from 1902 to 1913, including with Birmingham of the Southern Association and Shreveport of the Texas League, and never reached the major leagues.
Confirmed backs (2)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 325 | 6 | 14 | 34 | 77 | 63 | 70 | 61 |
| SGC | 243 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 27 | 61 | 58 | 74 |
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 | 165 |
| Old Mill | 106 |
| Unknown back | 54 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 96 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 147 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Carlos Smith card?
The Carlos Smith 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 Shreveport Pirates player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 2 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 568 examples of the Carlos Smith have been graded, with only 8 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Carlos Smith come with?
The Carlos Smith is confirmed with 2 tobacco-brand backs: Old Mill, Piedmont. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Carlos Smith 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.