1909-11 T206 Mordecai Brown (Portrait)
1909–11 T206 Mordecai Brown
Chicago Cubs · National League · 150-350 print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Mordecai Brown (“Portrait” pose) is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Mordecai Brown, a member of the historic Chicago Cubs (National League), and was printed in the 150-350 series, known with 6 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 1306 examples have been graded, with only 28 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Mordecai Brown
Born 1876 in Nyesville, IN (d. 1948), Mordecai Brown was a right-handed pitcher who debuted in 1903 and played 14 major-league seasons. He went 239-130 with a 2.06 ERA and 1,375 strikeouts across 481 appearances. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1949.
Confirmed backs (6)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 761 | 26 | 25 | 73 | 186 | 135 | 169 | 147 |
| SGC | 545 | 2 | 7 | 34 | 65 | 115 | 119 | 203 |
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 1909 | 165 |
| Piedmont | 135 |
| Sweet Caporal | 70 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 64 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 62 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 54 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 16 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 14 |
| Sovereign | 12 |
| El Principe de Gales | 12 |
| Old Mill | 10 |
| Hindu | 7 |
| Unknown back | 140 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| El Principe de Gales 1909-11 | 13 |
| Hindu 1909-11 | 13 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 10 |
| Piedmont 1909 | 231 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 78 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 17 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 23 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 105 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 55 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Mordecai Brown card?
The Mordecai Brown (Portrait) 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 Chicago Cubs player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 6 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 1306 examples of the Mordecai Brown have been graded, with only 28 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Mordecai Brown come with?
The Mordecai Brown 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 Mordecai Brown 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.