1909-11 T206 Harry Bay
1909–11 T206 Harry Bay
Nashville Volunteers · Southern Association · Southern Leaguer print series · also a T213-1 Coupon back
The 1909–1911 T206 Harry Bay is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Harry Bay, a member of the historic Nashville Volunteers (Southern Association), and was printed in the Southern Leaguer series, known with 3 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 521 examples have been graded, with only 13 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Harry Bay
Harry Elbert Bay (1878-1952) developed his game on the Peoria, Illinois sandlots and barnstormed alongside future Hall of Famer Joe McGinnity before signing his first pro contract with Lincoln in 1898. A slight (5-foot-8, 138-pound) leadoff center fielder, he reached the majors with the Cincinnati Reds in 1901, then found his home in Cleveland (Bronchos/Blues/Naps) from 1902 to 1907, closing with Boston in 1908. Blazing speed was his signature: he led the American League in stolen bases in both 1903 (45) and 1904 (38) and swiped 169 in an eight-year big-league career while batting .273, with a career-best .301 in 1905. That speed earned him the nickname "Deerfoot" (teammates also called the reed-thin outfielder "Sliver"). Traded to the Nashville Volunteers of the Southern Association in 1908, he hit .283 and helped win the pennant with a clutch bunt single in the deciding game -- the reason he appears among T206's scarcer "Southern Leaguer" subjects. An accomplished cornet player, Bay later worked for the Peoria Fire Department.
Sources: Baseball-Reference · SABR
Confirmed backs (3)
Chip colour marks each back's rarity tier. See the full T206 back rarity ranking →
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 315 | 9 | 24 | 46 | 64 | 59 | 59 | 54 |
| SGC | 206 | 4 | 3 | 23 | 24 | 50 | 38 | 64 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Old Mill | 128 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 107 |
| Hindu | 20 |
| Unknown back | 60 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| Hindu 1909-11 | 10 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 103 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 93 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Harry Bay card?
The Harry Bay 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 Nashville Volunteers player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 3 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is this T206 card?
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 521 examples of the Harry Bay have been graded, with only 13 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Harry Bay come with?
The Harry Bay is confirmed with 3 tobacco-brand backs: Hindu, Old Mill, Piedmont. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Harry Bay 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.
More Nashville Volunteers cards
Sources: t206resource.com, Baseball-Reference, PSA & SGC population reports, and Inside T206 by Scot Reader. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.