1909-11 T206 Perry Lipe
1909–11 T206 Perry Lipe
Richmond Colts · Virginia State League · Southern Leaguer print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Perry Lipe is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Perry Lipe, a member of the historic Richmond Colts (Virginia State League), and was printed in the Southern Leaguer series, known with 3 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 536 examples have been graded, with only 17 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Perry Lipe
Perry Lipe was a career minor-league third baseman, not a big-leaguer, one of the obscure "Southern Leaguer" subjects that give the T206 set much of its depth. Born February 14, 1875, in Montgomery County, Illinois, he entered professional ball in 1898 and spent roughly 19 seasons in the minors, passing through the Southern Association, the Cotton States League, and the South Atlantic (Sally) League, where he also managed the Macon Brigands. He landed in Virginia as player-manager of the Richmond Colts, and in his first season at the helm (1908) he steered Richmond to the Virginia League pennant while leading the circuit in scoring with 65 runs; the club finished third the following year. Never much of a hitter, Lipe survived on steady glovework and remarkable durability: he is credited with playing 1,127 consecutive games, a professional baseball record that reportedly stood until 1923. He left the game for Illinois, farmed, and died January 25, 1955.
Sources: Baseball-Reference
Confirmed backs (3)
Chip colour marks each back's rarity tier. See the full T206 back rarity ranking →
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 309 | 12 | 12 | 44 | 92 | 48 | 55 | 46 |
| SGC | 227 | 5 | 3 | 21 | 32 | 46 | 52 | 68 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Old Mill | 144 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 90 |
| Hindu | 16 |
| Unknown back | 59 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| Hindu 1909-11 | 18 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 127 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 82 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Perry Lipe card?
The Perry Lipe 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 Richmond Colts player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 3 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is this T206 card?
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 536 examples of the Perry Lipe have been graded, with only 17 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Perry Lipe come with?
The Perry Lipe is confirmed with 3 tobacco-brand backs: Hindu, Old Mill, Piedmont. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Perry Lipe 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.
More Richmond Colts cards
Sources: t206resource.com, Baseball-Reference, PSA & SGC population reports, and Inside T206 by Scot Reader. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.