1909-11 T206 Tom Downey (Fielding)
1909–11 T206 Tom Downey
Cincinnati Reds · National League · 350 Only print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Tom Downey (“Fielding” 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 Only series, known with 9 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 1138 examples have been graded, with only 33 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 (9)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 705 | 27 | 42 | 97 | 186 | 116 | 120 | 117 |
| SGC | 433 | 6 | 12 | 35 | 79 | 101 | 70 | 130 |
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 | 365 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 81 |
| Sweet Caporal | 57 |
| Polar Bear | 26 |
| Cycle 1910 | 16 |
| American Beauty 1910 | 11 |
| Tolstoi | 10 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 7 |
| Carolina Brights | 5 |
| Drum | 1 |
| Unknown back | 126 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| American Beauty 1910 | 6 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 3 |
| Carolina Brights 1909-11 | 2 |
| Cycle 1910 | 15 |
| Drum 1910 | 1 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 288 |
| Polar Bear 1909-11 | 31 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909-11 | 1 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 77 |
| Tolstoi 1909-11 | 9 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Tom Downey card?
The Tom Downey (Fielding) 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 9 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 1138 examples of the Tom Downey have been graded, with only 33 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 9 tobacco-brand backs: American Beauty, Broad Leaf, Carolina Brights, Cycle, Drum, Piedmont, Polar Bear (Scrap), 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.