1909-11 T206 Tommy Leach (Bending Over)
1909–11 T206 Tommy Leach
Pittsburgh Pirates · National League · 350-460 print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Tommy Leach (“Bending Over” pose) is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Tommy Leach, a member of the historic Pittsburgh Pirates (National League), and was printed in the 350-460 series, known with 11 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 921 examples have been graded, with only 17 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Tommy Leach
Born 1877 in French Creek, NY (d. 1969), Tommy Leach was a right-handed outfielder who debuted in 1898 and played 19 major-league seasons. He batted .269 with 2,143 hits, 63 home runs, and 361 stolen bases in 2,156 games.
Confirmed backs (11)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 576 | 14 | 43 | 83 | 139 | 108 | 94 | 95 |
| SGC | 345 | 3 | 5 | 46 | 70 | 76 | 56 | 89 |
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 | 81 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 70 |
| Polar Bear | 62 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 57 |
| Piedmont | 55 |
| Old Mill | 34 |
| Piedmont 1911 | 34 |
| Tolstoi | 18 |
| Sweet Caporal 1911 | 18 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 14 |
| El Principe de Gales | 10 |
| Uzit | 6 |
| American Beauty 1911 | 6 |
| Cycle 1911 | 5 |
| Unknown back | 106 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| American Beauty 1911 | 4 |
| El Principe de Gales 1909-11 | 4 |
| Lenox 1909-11 | 1 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 17 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 68 |
| Piedmont 1911 | 54 |
| Polar Bear 1909-11 | 58 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 17 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 84 |
| Sweet Caporal 1911 | 25 |
| Tolstoi 1909-11 | 11 |
| Uzit 1909-11 | 2 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Tommy Leach card?
The Tommy Leach (Bending Over) 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 Pittsburgh Pirates player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 11 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 921 examples of the Tommy Leach have been graded, with only 17 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Tommy Leach come with?
The Tommy Leach is confirmed with 11 tobacco-brand backs: American Beauty, Cycle, El Principe de Gales, Lenox, Old Mill, Piedmont, Polar Bear (Scrap), Sovereign, Sweet Caporal, Tolstoi, Uzit. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Tommy Leach 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.