1909-11 T206 Sam Strang
1909–11 T206 Sam Strang
Baltimore Orioles · Eastern League · 350 Only print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Sam Strang is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Sam Strang, a member of the historic Baltimore Orioles (Eastern League), and was printed in the 350 Only series, known with 10 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 1029 examples have been graded, with only 25 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Sam Strang
Born 1876 in Chattanooga, Tennessee (d. 1932 in Chattanooga), Sammy Strang was a switch-hitting infielder nicknamed "The Dixie Thrush" who played 10 major-league seasons (1896-1908) for clubs including the New York Giants and Brooklyn Superbas, batting .269, and was a member of the 1905 World Series champion Giants.
Confirmed backs (10)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 606 | 23 | 37 | 78 | 126 | 125 | 118 | 99 |
| SGC | 423 | 2 | 8 | 41 | 77 | 104 | 74 | 117 |
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 | 305 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 63 |
| Sweet Caporal | 48 |
| Polar Bear | 27 |
| Cycle 1910 | 19 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 12 |
| Tolstoi | 10 |
| American Beauty 1910 | 9 |
| Carolina Brights | 8 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 5 |
| Drum | 1 |
| Unknown back | 99 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| American Beauty 1910 | 8 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 5 |
| Cycle 1910 | 11 |
| Drum 1910 | 2 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 261 |
| Polar Bear 1909-11 | 19 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 15 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 90 |
| Tolstoi 1909-11 | 12 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Sam Strang card?
The Sam Strang 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 10 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 1029 examples of the Sam Strang have been graded, with only 25 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Sam Strang come with?
The Sam Strang is confirmed with 10 tobacco-brand backs: American Beauty, Broad Leaf, Carolina Brights, Cycle, Drum, Piedmont, Polar Bear (Scrap), Sovereign, Sweet Caporal, Tolstoi. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Sam Strang 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.