1909-11 T206 Clark Griffith (Batting)
1909–11 T206 Clark Griffith
Cincinnati Reds · National League · 350-460 print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Clark Griffith (“Batting” pose) is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Clark Griffith, a member of the historic Cincinnati Reds (National League), and was printed in the 350-460 series, known with 13 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 1508 examples have been graded, with only 27 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Clark Griffith
Born 1869 in Clear Creek, MO (d. 1955), Clark Griffith was a right-handed pitcher who debuted in 1891 and played 21 major-league seasons. He went 237-146 with a 3.31 ERA and 955 strikeouts across 453 appearances. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946. Nicknamed 'The Old Fox,' he is the only man in major league history to spend at least 20 years each as a player, a manager, and a team owner.
Confirmed backs (13)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 862 | 26 | 36 | 77 | 200 | 167 | 184 | 172 |
| SGC | 646 | 1 | 6 | 54 | 93 | 142 | 135 | 215 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Sweet Caporal | 103 |
| Polar Bear | 96 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 87 |
| Piedmont | 82 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 72 |
| Sweet Caporal 1911 | 67 |
| Piedmont 1911 | 40 |
| Old Mill | 27 |
| American Beauty 1910 | 20 |
| Tolstoi | 19 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 16 |
| El Principe de Gales | 12 |
| Cycle 1911 | 8 |
| Hindu | 6 |
| Drum | 4 |
| Broad Leaf 1911 | 2 |
| Lenox | 2 |
| Unknown back | 199 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| American Beauty 1910 | 17 |
| Broad Leaf 1911 | 1 |
| Cycle 1911 | 6 |
| Drum 1910 | 2 |
| El Principe de Gales 1909-11 | 12 |
| Hindu 1909-11 | 1 |
| Lenox 1909-11 | 2 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 39 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 109 |
| Piedmont 1911 | 69 |
| Polar Bear 1909-11 | 100 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 23 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 2 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 157 |
| Sweet Caporal 1911 | 90 |
| Tolstoi 1909-11 | 16 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Clark Griffith card?
The Clark Griffith (Batting) 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 13 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 1508 examples of the Clark Griffith have been graded, with only 27 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Clark Griffith come with?
The Clark Griffith is confirmed with 13 tobacco-brand backs: American Beauty, Broad Leaf, Cycle, Drum, El Principe de Gales, Hindu, 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 Clark Griffith 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.