1909-11 T206 Ray Ryan
1909–11 T206 Ray Ryan
Roanoke Tigers · Virginia State League · Southern Leaguer print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Ray Ryan is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Ray Ryan, a member of the historic Roanoke Tigers (Virginia State League), and was printed in the Southern Leaguer series, known with 3 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 517 examples have been graded, with only 14 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Ray Ryan
Born 1883 in St. Martin, Ohio (d. 1958 in Miami, Florida), Ray Ryan was a left-handed-hitting catcher who played in the minor leagues from 1905 to 1922, never reaching the majors, and later worked many seasons as a minor-league manager.
Confirmed backs (3)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 303 | 11 | 26 | 34 | 63 | 53 | 59 | 57 |
| SGC | 214 | 3 | 5 | 18 | 22 | 48 | 39 | 79 |
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 | 123 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 109 |
| Hindu | 18 |
| Unknown back | 53 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| Hindu 1909-11 | 19 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 97 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 98 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Ray Ryan card?
The Ray Ryan 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 Roanoke Tigers player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 3 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 517 examples of the Ray Ryan have been graded, with only 14 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Ray Ryan come with?
The Ray Ryan 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 Ray Ryan 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.