1909-11 T206 William Otey
1909–11 T206 William Otey
Norfolk Tars · Virginia State League · Southern Leaguer print series
The 1909–1911 T206 William Otey is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts William Otey, a member of the historic Norfolk Tars (Virginia State League), and was printed in the Southern Leaguer series, known with 3 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 546 examples have been graded, with only 8 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About William Otey
Born 1886 in Dayton, Ohio (d. 1931), Bill "Steamboat" Otey was a left-handed pitcher who appeared in three major-league seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1907) and Washington Senators (1910-11), going 1-5 with a 5.01 ERA in 24 games.
Confirmed backs (3)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 316 | 6 | 20 | 33 | 84 | 61 | 55 | 57 |
| SGC | 230 | 2 | 6 | 24 | 36 | 38 | 47 | 77 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Old Mill | 122 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 111 |
| Hindu | 19 |
| Unknown back | 64 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| Hindu 1909-11 | 18 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 115 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 97 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 William Otey card?
The William Otey 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 Norfolk Tars player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 3 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 546 examples of the William Otey have been graded, with only 8 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 William Otey come with?
The William Otey is confirmed with 3 tobacco-brand backs: Hindu, Old Mill, Piedmont. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 William Otey 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.