1909-11 T206 Topsy Hartsel
1909–11 T206 Topsy Hartsel
Philadelphia Athletics · American League · 350 Only print series · also a T213-1 Coupon back
The 1909–1911 T206 Topsy Hartsel is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Topsy Hartsel, a member of the historic Philadelphia Athletics (American League), and was printed in the 350 Only series, known with 11 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 952 examples have been graded, with only 20 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Topsy Hartsel
Born 1874 in Polk, OH (d. 1944), Topsy Hartsel was a left-handed outfielder who debuted in 1898 and played 14 major-league seasons. He batted .276 with 1,336 hits, 31 home runs, and 247 stolen bases in 1,356 games.
Confirmed backs (11)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 606 | 17 | 31 | 87 | 139 | 106 | 127 | 99 |
| SGC | 346 | 3 | 5 | 35 | 50 | 88 | 57 | 108 |
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 | 254 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 96 |
| Sweet Caporal | 50 |
| Old Mill | 31 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 21 |
| Carolina Brights | 12 |
| El Principe de Gales | 9 |
| Cycle 1910 | 8 |
| American Beauty 1910 | 7 |
| Tolstoi | 4 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 3 |
| Drum | 1 |
| Unknown back | 110 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| American Beauty 1910 | 6 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 3 |
| Carolina Brights 1909-11 | 9 |
| Cycle 1910 | 4 |
| Drum 1910 | 1 |
| El Principe de Gales 1909-11 | 8 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 15 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 166 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 18 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909-11 | 1 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 111 |
| Tolstoi 1909-11 | 4 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Topsy Hartsel card?
The Topsy Hartsel 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 Philadelphia Athletics player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 11 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 952 examples of the Topsy Hartsel 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 Topsy Hartsel come with?
The Topsy Hartsel is confirmed with 11 tobacco-brand backs: American Beauty, Broad Leaf, Carolina Brights, Cycle, Drum, El Principe de Gales, Old Mill, Piedmont, Sovereign, Sweet Caporal, Tolstoi. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Topsy Hartsel 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.