1909-11 T206 Ed Karger
1909–11 T206 Ed Karger
Cincinnati Reds · National League · 150-350 print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Ed Karger is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Ed Karger, a member of the historic Cincinnati Reds (National League), and was printed in the 150-350 series, known with 4 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 692 examples have been graded, with only 22 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Ed Karger
Born 1883 in San Angelo, TX (d. 1957), Ed Karger was a left-handed pitcher who debuted in 1906 and played 6 major-league seasons. He went 48-67 with a 2.79 ERA and 415 strikeouts across 165 appearances.
Confirmed backs (4)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 437 | 21 | 30 | 36 | 86 | 81 | 108 | 75 |
| SGC | 255 | 1 | 6 | 23 | 44 | 51 | 38 | 92 |
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 | 115 |
| Piedmont | 106 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 57 |
| Sweet Caporal | 43 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 23 |
| El Principe de Gales | 14 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 14 |
| Unknown back | 65 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| El Principe de Gales 1909-11 | 13 |
| Piedmont 1909 | 150 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 8 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 16 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 68 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Ed Karger card?
The Ed Karger 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 4 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 692 examples of the Ed Karger have been graded, with only 22 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Ed Karger come with?
The Ed Karger is confirmed with 4 tobacco-brand backs: El Principe de Gales, Piedmont, Sovereign, Sweet Caporal. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Ed Karger 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.