1909-11 T206 Roy Ellam
1909–11 T206 Roy Ellam
Nashville Volunteers · Southern Association · Southern Leaguer print series · also a T213-1 Coupon back
The 1909–1911 T206 Roy Ellam is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Roy Ellam, a member of the historic Nashville Volunteers (Southern Association), and was printed in the Southern Leaguer series, known with 3 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 510 examples have been graded, with only 5 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Roy Ellam
Born 1886 in Conshohocken, PA (d. 1948), Roy Ellam was a right-handed shortstop who debuted in 1909 and played 2 major-league seasons. He batted .143 with 14 hits, 1 home runs, and 3 stolen bases in 36 games.
Confirmed backs (3)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 309 | 5 | 13 | 28 | 78 | 60 | 64 | 61 |
| SGC | 201 | 0 | 3 | 25 | 26 | 36 | 45 | 66 |
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 | 129 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 106 |
| Hindu | 14 |
| Unknown back | 60 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| Hindu 1909-11 | 18 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 99 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 84 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Roy Ellam card?
The Roy Ellam 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 Nashville Volunteers player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 3 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 510 examples of the Roy Ellam have been graded, with only 5 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Roy Ellam come with?
The Roy Ellam 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 Roy Ellam 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.