1909–11 T206 Hunky Shaw
Providence Grays · Eastern League · 350 Only print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Hunky Shaw is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Hunky Shaw, a member of the historic Providence Grays (Eastern League), and was printed in the 350 Only series, known with 7 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 576 examples have been graded, with only 15 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Hunky Shaw
Royal N. "Hunky" Shaw (September 29, 1884 - July 3, 1969) was a stocky outfielder and pugnacious leadoff hitter from Yakima, Washington, who earned his nickname while at the University of Washington, where quarterback Dode Brinker dubbed him "Hunky." He entered pro ball with the Roseburg Shamrocks of the Oregon State League in 1904, then starred for the Tacoma Tigers of the Northwestern League in 1906-1907. His entire major-league career was a single at-bat: on May 16, 1908, he pinch-hit for the Pittsburgh Pirates and struck out. In 1909 he played 30 games and hit .250 for the Providence Grays of the Eastern League under future Hall of Famer Hugh Duffy - the team pictured on his T206 card. His signature feat came in 1910, when his .281 average led the pitching-dominant Pacific Coast League and won him the batting title with the San Francisco Seals. A Pacific Northwest legend, he later brought professional baseball to Yakima, managing the Western International League's Pippins in 1937. His T206 is a scarce minor-league subject in the set.
Sources: Baseball-Reference · SABR
Confirmed backs (7)
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 | 318 | 13 | 15 | 31 | 59 | 60 | 67 | 73 |
| SGC | 258 | 2 | 6 | 23 | 38 | 59 | 47 | 83 |
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 | 110 |
| Polar Bear | 47 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 38 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 17 |
| Sweet Caporal | 15 |
| Cycle 1910 | 10 |
| American Beauty 1910 | 6 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 1 |
| Unknown back | 74 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| American Beauty 1910 | 6 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 1 |
| Cycle 1910 | 6 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 167 |
| Polar Bear 1909-11 | 25 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 13 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 40 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Hunky Shaw card?
The Hunky Shaw 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 Providence Grays player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 7 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is this T206 card?
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 576 examples of the Hunky Shaw have been graded, with only 15 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Hunky Shaw come with?
The Hunky Shaw is confirmed with 7 tobacco-brand backs: American Beauty, Broad Leaf, Cycle, Piedmont, Polar Bear (Scrap), Sovereign, Sweet Caporal. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Hunky Shaw 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 Providence Grays 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 2026-08-28.