1909-11 T206 Tommy Leach (Portrait)
1909–11 T206 Tommy Leach
Pittsburgh Pirates · National League · 150-350 print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Tommy Leach (“Portrait” 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 150-350 series, known with 6 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 800 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 (6)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 502 | 14 | 29 | 54 | 100 | 110 | 117 | 78 |
| SGC | 298 | 3 | 9 | 40 | 43 | 64 | 47 | 92 |
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 1909 | 113 |
| Piedmont | 101 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 52 |
| Sweet Caporal | 50 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 29 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 27 |
| El Principe de Gales | 17 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 11 |
| Sovereign | 9 |
| Hindu | 7 |
| Old Mill | 4 |
| Unknown back | 82 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| El Principe de Gales 1909-11 | 9 |
| Hindu 1909-11 | 6 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 1 |
| Piedmont 1909 | 132 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 31 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 18 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 64 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 37 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Tommy Leach card?
The Tommy Leach (Portrait) 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 6 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 800 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 6 tobacco-brand backs: El Principe de Gales, Hindu, Old Mill, Piedmont, Sovereign, Sweet Caporal. 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.