1909-11 T206 John Butler
1909–11 T206 John Butler
Rochester Bronchos · Eastern League · 350 Only print series
The 1909–1911 T206 John Butler is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts John Butler, a member of the historic Rochester Bronchos (Eastern League), and was printed in the 350 Only series, known with 6 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 706 examples have been graded, with only 22 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About John Butler
Born 1879 in Boston, MA (d. 1950), John Butler was a right-handed catcher who debuted in 1901 and played 4 major-league seasons. He batted .134 with 16 hits in 44 games.
Confirmed backs (6)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 440 | 20 | 16 | 66 | 114 | 68 | 89 | 67 |
| SGC | 266 | 2 | 5 | 25 | 39 | 74 | 57 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Piedmont 1910 | 225 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 46 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 39 |
| Sweet Caporal | 37 |
| Cycle 1910 | 10 |
| American Beauty 1910 | 4 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 3 |
| Unknown back | 76 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| American Beauty 1910 | 5 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 4 |
| Cycle 1910 | 7 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 166 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 27 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 57 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 John Butler card?
The John Butler 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 Rochester Bronchos player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 6 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 706 examples of the John Butler have been graded, with only 22 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 John Butler come with?
The John Butler is confirmed with 6 tobacco-brand backs: American Beauty, Broad Leaf, Cycle, Piedmont, Sovereign, Sweet Caporal. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 John Butler 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.