1909-11 T206 Kaiser Wilhelm (Hands At Chest)
1909–11 T206 Kaiser Wilhelm
Brooklyn Superbas · National League · 150-350 print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Kaiser Wilhelm (“Hands At Chest” pose) is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Kaiser Wilhelm, a member of the historic Brooklyn Superbas (National League), and was printed in the 150-350 series, known with 6 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 916 examples have been graded, with only 19 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Kaiser Wilhelm
Born 1877 in Wooster, OH (d. 1936), Kaiser Wilhelm was a right-handed pitcher who debuted in 1903 and played 9 major-league seasons. He went 56-105 with a 3.44 ERA and 444 strikeouts across 216 appearances.
Confirmed backs (6)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 530 | 14 | 38 | 72 | 112 | 102 | 119 | 73 |
| SGC | 386 | 5 | 14 | 31 | 57 | 88 | 60 | 131 |
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 | 114 |
| Piedmont 1909 | 113 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 79 |
| Sweet Caporal | 58 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 23 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 20 |
| El Principe de Gales | 18 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 9 |
| Hindu | 7 |
| Old Mill | 5 |
| Unknown back | 84 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| El Principe de Gales 1909-11 | 8 |
| Hindu 1909-11 | 5 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 7 |
| Piedmont 1909 | 192 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 28 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 9 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 100 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 37 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Kaiser Wilhelm card?
The Kaiser Wilhelm (Hands At Chest) 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 Brooklyn Superbas player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 6 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 916 examples of the Kaiser Wilhelm have been graded, with only 19 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Kaiser Wilhelm come with?
The Kaiser Wilhelm is confirmed with 6 tobacco-brand backs: El Principe de Gales, Hindu, Old Mill, Piedmont, Sovereign, Sweet Caporal. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Kaiser Wilhelm 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.