1909-11 T206 Nap Rucker (Throwing)
1909–11 T206 Nap Rucker
Brooklyn Superbas · National League · 350-460 print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Nap Rucker (“Throwing” pose) is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Nap Rucker, a member of the historic Brooklyn Superbas (National League), and was printed in the 350-460 series, known with 13 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 950 examples have been graded, with only 21 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Nap Rucker
Born 1884 in Crabapple, GA (d. 1970), Nap Rucker was a left-handed pitcher who debuted in 1907 and played 10 major-league seasons. He went 134-134 with a 2.42 ERA and 1,217 strikeouts across 336 appearances.
Confirmed backs (13)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 574 | 18 | 31 | 75 | 153 | 103 | 124 | 70 |
| SGC | 376 | 3 | 6 | 45 | 67 | 77 | 76 | 102 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Sweet Caporal | 70 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 66 |
| Piedmont | 63 |
| Polar Bear | 62 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 54 |
| Piedmont 1911 | 38 |
| Sweet Caporal 1911 | 34 |
| Old Mill | 32 |
| Tolstoi | 20 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 14 |
| American Beauty 1910 | 13 |
| El Principe de Gales | 10 |
| Cycle 1911 | 6 |
| Broad Leaf 1911 | 2 |
| Lenox | 2 |
| Drum | 2 |
| Unknown back | 86 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| American Beauty 1910 | 10 |
| Broad Leaf 1911 | 4 |
| Cycle 1911 | 4 |
| El Principe de Gales 1909-11 | 7 |
| Lenox 1909-11 | 1 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 19 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 80 |
| Piedmont 1911 | 48 |
| Polar Bear 1909-11 | 47 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 13 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 76 |
| Sweet Caporal 1911 | 54 |
| Tolstoi 1909-11 | 13 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Nap Rucker card?
The Nap Rucker (Throwing) 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 13 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 950 examples of the Nap Rucker have been graded, with only 21 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Nap Rucker come with?
The Nap Rucker is confirmed with 13 tobacco-brand backs: American Beauty, Broad Leaf, Cycle, Drum, El Principe de Gales, Hindu, Lenox, Old Mill, Piedmont, Polar Bear (Scrap), Sovereign, Sweet Caporal, Tolstoi. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Nap Rucker 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.