1909-11 T206 Tom Downey (Batting)
1909–11 T206 Tom Downey
Cincinnati Reds · National League · 350-460 print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Tom Downey (“Batting” pose) is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Tom Downey, a member of the historic Cincinnati Reds (National League), and was printed in the 350-460 series, known with 13 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 1000 examples have been graded, with only 20 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Tom Downey
Born 1884 in Lewiston, ME (d. 1961), Tom Downey was a switch-hitting shortstop who debuted in 1909 and played 6 major-league seasons. He batted .240 with 520 hits, 7 home runs, and 87 stolen bases in 651 games.
Confirmed backs (13)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 595 | 16 | 44 | 77 | 139 | 123 | 119 | 77 |
| SGC | 405 | 4 | 18 | 41 | 74 | 89 | 74 | 105 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Sweet Caporal | 72 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 68 |
| Polar Bear | 66 |
| Piedmont | 61 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 53 |
| Sweet Caporal 1911 | 40 |
| Piedmont 1911 | 34 |
| Old Mill | 25 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 16 |
| American Beauty 1910 | 16 |
| Tolstoi | 16 |
| El Principe de Gales | 12 |
| Cycle 1911 | 8 |
| Drum | 3 |
| Broad Leaf 1911 | 3 |
| Hindu | 2 |
| Unknown back | 100 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| American Beauty 1910 | 14 |
| Broad Leaf 1911 | 1 |
| Cycle 1911 | 7 |
| Drum 1910 | 1 |
| El Principe de Gales 1909-11 | 16 |
| Lenox 1909-11 | 2 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 25 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 89 |
| Piedmont 1911 | 51 |
| Polar Bear 1909-11 | 62 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 77 |
| Sweet Caporal 1911 | 44 |
| Tolstoi 1909-11 | 16 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Tom Downey card?
The Tom Downey (Batting) 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 Cincinnati Reds player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 13 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 1000 examples of the Tom Downey have been graded, with only 20 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Tom Downey come with?
The Tom Downey is confirmed with 13 tobacco-brand backs: American Beauty, Broad Leaf, Cycle, Drum, El Principe de Gales, Hindu, Lenox, Old Mill, Piedmont, Polar Bear (Scrap), Sovereign, Sweet Caporal, Tolstoi. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Tom Downey 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.