1909-11 T206 Clark Griffith (Portrait)
1909–11 T206 Clark Griffith
Cincinnati Reds · National League · 150-350 print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Clark Griffith (“Portrait” 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 150-350 series, known with 6 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 1625 examples have been graded, with only 33 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.
Confirmed backs (6)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 964 | 30 | 41 | 91 | 215 | 202 | 218 | 167 |
| SGC | 661 | 3 | 8 | 56 | 107 | 125 | 121 | 241 |
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 | 184 |
| Piedmont 1909 | 168 |
| Sweet Caporal | 109 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 99 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 53 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 48 |
| Sovereign | 21 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 18 |
| Hindu | 17 |
| El Principe de Gales | 12 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 9 |
| Old Mill | 7 |
| Unknown back | 219 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| El Principe de Gales 1909-11 | 15 |
| Hindu 1909-11 | 14 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 10 |
| Piedmont 1909 | 276 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 95 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 11 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 27 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 140 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909-11 | 4 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 69 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Clark Griffith card?
The Clark Griffith (Portrait) 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 6 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 1625 examples of the Clark Griffith have been graded, with only 33 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 6 tobacco-brand backs: El Principe de Gales, Hindu, Old Mill, Piedmont, Sovereign, Sweet Caporal. 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.