1909-11 T206 Scoops Carey
1909–11 T206 Scoops Carey
Memphis Turtles · Southern Association · Southern Leaguer print series · also a T213-1 Coupon back
The 1909–1911 T206 Scoops Carey is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Scoops Carey, a member of the historic Memphis Turtles (Southern Association), and was printed in the Southern Leaguer series, known with 3 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 522 examples have been graded, with only 12 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Scoops Carey
George C. "Scoops" Carey (1870-1916) was a slick-fielding first baseman of the dead-ball era. Born in Pittsburgh, he turned pro in 1892 with the Altoona Mountaineers of the Pennsylvania State League after semipro ball with the East Liverpool Eclipse. His major-league career spanned 1895-1903 in three separate stints: the 1895 Baltimore Orioles, a brief 1898 look with the Louisville Colonels, and the American League's Washington Senators in 1902-1903, finishing with a .271 average over 299 games. His best year came in 1902, when he batted .314 with 35 doubles and 11 triples; renowned for his glove, he is credited as the only man to lead two different leagues in fielding percentage in a two-season span. The nickname "Scoops" honored his knack for digging low and wide throws out of the dirt. He later starred for the Memphis Egyptians in the Southern Association (1906-1908), and his T206 card belongs to the scarce "Southern Leaguers" series. He is a different player from Hall of Famer Max "Scoops" Carey.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
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 | 316 | 11 | 8 | 46 | 89 | 66 | 52 | 44 |
| SGC | 206 | 1 | 8 | 19 | 30 | 42 | 39 | 67 |
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 | 130 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 97 |
| Hindu | 20 |
| Unknown back | 69 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| Hindu 1909-11 | 12 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 111 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 83 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Scoops Carey card?
The Scoops Carey 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 Memphis Turtles player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 3 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is this T206 card?
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 522 examples of the Scoops Carey have been graded, with only 12 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Scoops Carey come with?
The Scoops Carey 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 Scoops Carey 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 Memphis Turtles 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.