1909-11 T206 Jerry Downs
1909–11 T206 Jerry Downs
Minneapolis Millers · American Association · 350 Only print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Jerry Downs is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Jerry Downs, a member of the historic Minneapolis Millers (American Association), and was printed in the 350 Only series, known with 8 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 886 examples have been graded, with only 25 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Jerry Downs
Born August 23, 1883 in Neola, Iowa (d. 1939), Jerome "Red" Downs was a right-handed-hitting, right-handed-throwing second baseman who played in the majors with the Detroit Tigers (1907-08), Brooklyn, and the Chicago Cubs (1912), appearing in the 1908 World Series, and was with the Minneapolis Millers of the American Association in 1909.
Confirmed backs (8)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 538 | 19 | 33 | 77 | 128 | 89 | 127 | 65 |
| SGC | 348 | 6 | 10 | 36 | 54 | 74 | 77 | 91 |
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 | 310 |
| Sweet Caporal | 56 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 50 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 14 |
| Cycle 1910 | 10 |
| American Beauty 1910 | 5 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 2 |
| Tolstoi | 2 |
| Drum | 1 |
| Unknown back | 88 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| American Beauty 1910 | 6 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 2 |
| Cycle 1910 | 3 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 246 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 16 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 1 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909-11 | 1 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 72 |
| Tolstoi 1909-11 | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Jerry Downs card?
The Jerry Downs 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 Minneapolis Millers player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 8 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 886 examples of the Jerry Downs have been graded, with only 25 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Jerry Downs come with?
The Jerry Downs is confirmed with 8 tobacco-brand backs: American Beauty, Broad Leaf, Cycle, Drum, Piedmont, Sovereign, Sweet Caporal, Tolstoi. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Jerry Downs 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.