1909-11 T206 Herman Armbruster
1909–11 T206 Herman Armbruster
St Paul Saints · American Association · 350 Only print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Herman Armbruster is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Herman Armbruster, a member of the historic St Paul Saints (American Association), and was printed in the 350 Only series, known with 8 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 774 examples have been graded, with only 10 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Herman Armbruster
Born March 20, 1882 in Valley City, Ohio (d. 1953), Harry Armbruster was a left-handed-hitting, left-handed-throwing outfielder who played one major-league season with the 1906 Philadelphia Athletics, batting .238 in 91 games, and spent nine years in the minors, including with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association in 1909.
Confirmed backs (8)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 470 | 9 | 20 | 73 | 118 | 81 | 101 | 68 |
| SGC | 304 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 53 | 86 | 59 | 77 |
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 1910 | 225 |
| Polar Bear | 41 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 40 |
| Sweet Caporal | 39 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 32 |
| American Beauty 1910 | 7 |
| Cycle 1910 | 6 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 2 |
| Drum | 1 |
| Unknown back | 77 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| American Beauty 1910 | 4 |
| Broad Leaf 1909-11 | 1 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 1 |
| Cycle 1909-11 | 1 |
| Cycle 1910 | 3 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 175 |
| Polar Bear 1909-11 | 31 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 36 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 52 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Herman Armbruster card?
The Herman Armbruster 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 St Paul Saints player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 8 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 774 examples of the Herman Armbruster have been graded, with only 10 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Herman Armbruster come with?
The Herman Armbruster is confirmed with 8 tobacco-brand backs: American Beauty, Broad Leaf, Cycle, Drum, Piedmont, Polar Bear (Scrap), Sovereign, Sweet Caporal. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Herman Armbruster 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.