1909-11 T206 Rube Dessau
1909–11 T206 Rube Dessau
Baltimore Orioles · Eastern League · 350 Only print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Rube Dessau is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Rube Dessau, a member of the historic Baltimore Orioles (Eastern League), and was printed in the 350 Only series, known with 7 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 644 examples have been graded, with only 9 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Rube Dessau
Born 1883 in New Galilee, PA (d. 1952), Rube Dessau was a right-handed pitcher who debuted in 1907 and played 2 major-league seasons. He went 2-4 with a 6.53 ERA and 25 strikeouts across 21 appearances.
Confirmed backs (7)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 356 | 6 | 15 | 33 | 77 | 65 | 95 | 65 |
| SGC | 288 | 3 | 6 | 24 | 51 | 59 | 60 | 85 |
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 1910 | 235 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 68 |
| Polar Bear | 36 |
| American Beauty 1910 | 7 |
| Cycle 1910 | 7 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 2 |
| Drum | 1 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| American Beauty 1910 | 8 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 2 |
| Cycle 1910 | 5 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 191 |
| Polar Bear 1909-11 | 28 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 54 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Rube Dessau card?
The Rube Dessau 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 Baltimore Orioles player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 7 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 644 examples of the Rube Dessau have been graded, with only 9 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Rube Dessau come with?
The Rube Dessau is confirmed with 7 tobacco-brand backs: American Beauty, Broad Leaf, Cycle, Drum, Piedmont, Polar Bear (Scrap), Sweet Caporal. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Rube Dessau 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.