1909-11 T206 Frank Smith (Chicago & Boston)
1909–11 T206 Frank Smith
Chicago White Sox · American League · 350-460 print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Frank Smith (“Chicago & Boston” pose) is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Frank Smith, a member of the historic Chicago White Sox (American League), and was printed in the 350-460 series, known with 9 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 593 examples have been graded, with only 6 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Frank Smith
Born 1879 in Pittsburgh, PA (d. 1952), Frank Smith was a right-handed pitcher who debuted in 1904 and played 11 major-league seasons. He went 139-111 with a 2.59 ERA and 1,051 strikeouts across 354 appearances.
Confirmed backs (9)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 356 | 4 | 13 | 50 | 81 | 59 | 74 | 75 |
| SGC | 237 | 2 | 4 | 19 | 35 | 49 | 40 | 88 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Polar Bear | 85 |
| Piedmont 1911 | 45 |
| Piedmont | 42 |
| Old Mill | 37 |
| Sweet Caporal 1911 | 36 |
| Tolstoi | 11 |
| American Beauty 1911 | 10 |
| Uzit | 5 |
| Cycle 1911 | 4 |
| Lenox | 3 |
| Unknown back | 78 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| American Beauty 1911 | 5 |
| Cycle 1911 | 5 |
| Lenox 1909-11 | 1 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 24 |
| Piedmont 1911 | 85 |
| Polar Bear 1909-11 | 66 |
| Sweet Caporal 1911 | 35 |
| Tolstoi 1909-11 | 11 |
| Uzit 1909-11 | 5 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Frank Smith card?
The Frank Smith (Chicago & Boston) 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 Chicago White Sox player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 9 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 593 examples of the Frank Smith have been graded, with only 6 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Frank Smith come with?
The Frank Smith is confirmed with 9 tobacco-brand backs: American Beauty, Cycle, Lenox, Old Mill, Piedmont, Polar Bear (Scrap), Sweet Caporal, Tolstoi, Uzit. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Frank 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.