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			{{Short description\|Tobacco card set}}
	]]]
			{{Infobox toy
	The ] set known as '''T206''' was issued from 1909 to 1911 in ] and loose tobacco packs through 16 different brands owned by the ]. It is a landmark set in the history of ] collecting, due to its size and rarity, and the quality of its color ]s.
			\| name = T206
			\| image = Topps 206 logo.png
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			\| othernames =
			\| type = ]
			\| inventor = ]
			\| company = American Tobacco Company (1909–11)<br>] (2002–present)
			\| country = ]
			\| from =
			\| to =
			\| materials =
			\| features =
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			'''T206''' is a ] set issued from 1909 to 1911 in ] and loose tobacco packs through 16 different brands owned by the ]. It is a landmark set in the history of ] collecting, due to its size and rarity, and the quality of its color ]s. The first series of cards were issued beginning in 1909. From 1909 to 1911 cards of over 500 major minor-league players in 16 different cigarette brands. The set featured Honus Wagner, Eddie Plank and the error cards of Larry Doyle and Sherry Magee. Several of the cards are among the ] ever sold.

			In 2002, nearly 100 years after the original T206 cards were created, ] rebooted the brand with ] 206. The set paid tribute to the original T206 design and artwork, leaning heavily on nostalgic elements. ] has released several collections of 206 cards over the years, including the first wave of its 2023 series (the “Low Series”). Each pack is filled with star athletes, retired legends, and talented rookies including rare parallels, image variations and limited-edition autographs.
	==History==

			== Overview ==
			] player ]]]
	The name T206 refers to the catalog designation assigned by ] in his book '']''. It is also known informally as the "White Border" set due to the distinctive white borders surrounding the lithographs on each card.		The name T206 refers to the catalog designation assigned by ] in his book '']''. It is also known informally as the "White Border" set due to the distinctive white borders surrounding the lithographs on each card.

	The T206 set consists of 524 cards. Over 100 of the cards picture ] players. There are also multiple cards for the same player in different poses, different uniforms, or even with different teams after being traded (since the set was issued over a period of three years). The cards measure {{convert\|1+7/16\|x\|2+5/8\|in\|cm}} which is considered by many collectors to be the standard tobacco card size.		The T206 set consists of 524 cards. Over 100 of the cards picture ] players. There are also multiple cards for the same player in different poses, different uniforms, or even with different teams after being traded (since the set was issued over a period of three years). The cards measure {{convert\|1+7/16\|x\|2+5/8\|in\|cm}} which is considered by many collectors to be the standard tobacco card size.

	The T206 set is the most popular and widely collected set of the tobacco/pre-war era. The historical significance of the set as well as the large number of variations give it enormous appeal to collectors. In addition, the set features many ] members including ] (who is pictured on 4 different cards), ], ], and ]. The value of the cards has led to a great deal of ]ing over the years.		The T206 set is one of the most popular and widely collected set of the tobacco/pre-war era. The historical significance of the set as well as the large number of variations give it enormous appeal to collectors. In addition, the set features many ] members including ] (who is pictured on ]), ], ], and ]. The value of the cards has led to a great deal of ]ing over the years.
	The T206 Collection: The Players & Their Stories by Tom and Ellen Zappala and Peter Randall Publishers highlights the personal and professional lives of the players in the collection and discusses the values of the cards as well as the mystique behind the collection.

	==~~The~~ Honus Wagner card==		== Honus Wagner card ==
	{{main\|T206 Honus Wagner}}		{{main\|T206 Honus Wagner}}
			{{multiple image
	The T206 Wagner is the most valuable baseball card in existence, and even damaged examples are valued at $100,000 or more.<ref name=nydaily>, from "The Score" column, T.J. Quinn & Michael O'Keeffe, '']'', November 27, 2005</ref> This is in part because of Wagner's place among baseball's immortals, as he was an original ] inductee. More importantly, it is one of the scarcest cards from the most prominent of all vintage card sets.
			\|align = right
			\|direction = horizontal
			\|total_width= 300
			\|image1 = Honus_wagner_t206_baseball_card.jpg
			\|image2 = Topps wagner 2002 blue.jpg
			\|footer = The original Honus Wagner card (left) released in 1909, reissued by Topps in 2002 with blue background (right)
			}}
			The T206 Wagner is the most valuable baseball card in existence, and even damaged examples are valued at $100,000 or more.<ref name=nydaily>, from "The Score" column, T.J. Quinn & Michael O'Keeffe, '']'', November 27, 2005</ref> This is in part because of Wagner's place among baseball's immortals, as he was an original ] inductee. More importantly, it is one of the scarcest cards from the most prominent of all vintage card sets. It is estimated that less than 50 copies of this card made it into circulation.

	===Rarity===		===Rarity===
	While the American Tobacco Trust, over three years and sixteen brands of cigarettes, distributed "tens or hundreds of thousands" of T206 cards for any given player,<ref>{{cite web \|url=~~http~~://espn~~.go~~.com/~~30for30~~/~~film?page=holy_grail~~ \|title=Holy Grail: The T206 Honus Wagner (ESPN Films' 30 For 30 Shorts) \|author=quote by ] \|publisher=Prospect Productions & ESPN Films \|date=2013-03-25 \|~~accessdate~~=2014-05-28}}</ref> it is estimated that only between 50 and 200 Wagner cards were ever distributed to the public,<ref name=ebay/><ref>, Troy Wolverton, ], July 5, 2000</ref> and fewer still have survived to the present day. Several theories exist as to why the card is so rare. One theory is that the ] used to create Wagner's card broke early on in the production process, but Wagner was a major star at the time and new plates would almost certainly have been created. Another theory is that there was a copyright dispute between the American Tobacco Company and the artist who created the Wagner lithograph.<ref>, December 2005</ref>		While the American Tobacco Trust, over three years and sixteen brands of cigarettes, distributed "tens or hundreds of thousands" of T206 cards for any given player,<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.espn.com/watch/series/0514c1ad-efd1-4d3a-ad82-41ca579a94a2/30-for-30-spotlight \|title=Holy Grail: The T206 Honus Wagner (ESPN Films' 30 For 30 Shorts) \|author=quote by ] \|publisher=Prospect Productions & ESPN Films \|date=2013-03-25 \|access-date=2014-05-28}}</ref> it is estimated that only between 50 and 200 Wagner cards were ever distributed to the public,<ref name=ebay/><ref>, Troy Wolverton, ], July 5, 2000</ref> and fewer still have survived to the present day. Several theories exist as to why the card is so rare. One theory is that the ] used to create Wagner's card broke early on in the production process, but Wagner was a major star at the time and new plates would almost certainly have been created. Another theory is that there was a copyright dispute between the American Tobacco Company and the artist who created the Wagner lithograph.<ref>, December 2005</ref>

	The most commonly accepted theory is that the card was pulled from production because Wagner himself objected to the production of the card, but his motivation is unclear. Reports at the time indicated Wagner did not wish to associate himself with cigarettes,<ref>, '']'', October 24, 1912</ref> possibly because he did not want to encourage children to smoke.<ref name=nydaily/> However, some collectors and historians have pointed out that Wagner, a user of ], allowed his image to appear on ]es and other tobacco-related products prior to 1909 and may have objected to the card simply because he wanted more financial compensation for the use of his image.<ref name=nydaily/><ref>, Jeff Arnett, ''Memories and Dreams'' (National Baseball Hall of Fame quarterly newsletter)</ref>		The most commonly accepted theory is that the card was pulled from production because Wagner himself objected to the production of the card, but his motivation is unclear. Reports at the time indicated Wagner did not wish to associate himself with cigarettes,<ref>, '']'', October 24, 1912</ref> possibly because he did not want to encourage children to smoke.<ref name=nydaily/> However, some collectors and historians have pointed out that Wagner, a user of ], allowed his image to appear on ]es and other tobacco-related products prior to 1909 and may have objected to the card simply because he wanted more financial compensation for the use of his image.<ref name=nydaily/><ref>, Jeff Arnett, ''Memories and Dreams'' (National Baseball Hall of Fame quarterly newsletter)</ref>

	===Value===		===Value===
	A high-quality example of the Wagner card was sold at auction on ] in 2000 for US$1.265 million.<ref name=ebay> July 17, 2000</ref> In February 2007, the same card was sold for a record US$2.35 million.<ref name="y2007-02">{{cite web\|publisher=] \|~~accessdate~~=2012-02-10 \|date=2007-02-27 \|title = Honus Wagner baseball card sells for record $2.3 million \|url = https://www.usatoday.com/sports/2007-02-27-2319681429_x.htm \|last = Rogers \|first = John}}</ref>		A high-quality example of the Wagner card was sold at auction on ] in 2000 for US$1.265 million.<ref name=ebay> July 17, 2000</ref> In February 2007, the same card was sold for a record US$2.35 million.<ref name="y2007-02">{{cite web\|publisher=] \|access-date=2012-02-10 \|date=2007-02-27 \|title = Honus Wagner baseball card sells for record $2.3 million \|url = https://www.usatoday.com/sports/2007-02-27-2319681429_x.htm \|last = Rogers \|first = John}}</ref>

	In September 2007, the Wagner card changed hands again when SCP Auctions of Mission Viejo, California, which had bought minority ownership, brokered a new sale—this time for US$2.8 million, to a private collector. On August 1, 2008, noted memorabilia dealer John Rogers of ] paid US$1.6 million for a ] 5MC (miscut) Wagner. Rogers stated he "was prepared to go much higher and is pleased with his investment." He added "the citizens of Arkansas deserve to see this treasure and I intend to make the card available to the public."<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/latest/wagner-card-sold-again.html \| title=T206 Honus Wagner Card Sold Again \| date=2007-09-06 \| publisher=Sports Collectors Daily}}</ref> In April 2013, a T206 "jumbo" Wagner, so-called because it measured slightly larger than most other known examples, sold at auction for $2.1 million, reported to be a record price for the card.<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9140901/t206-honus-wagner-baseball-card-sets-21m-auction-mark \| title=Honus Wagner card sells for $2.1 million \| date=2013-04-06 \| publisher=ESPN}}</ref> That record was broken in October 2016 when the card was sold at auction for $3.12 million.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Seideman\|first1=David\|title=In 2016 The Top 10 Most Valuable Sports Cards And Memorabilia Commanded A Record $12 Million+\|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidseideman/2016/12/29/in-2016-top-10-most-valuable-sports-cards-and-memorabilia-command-record-12-million/#2b2f7b8b132b\|accessdate=24 April 2017\|work=]\|date=December 29, 2016}}</ref>
			In September 2007, the Wagner card changed hands again when SCP Auctions of Mission Viejo, California, which had bought minority ownership, brokered a new sale—this time for US$2.8 million, to a private collector. On August 1, 2008, noted memorabilia dealer John Rogers of ] paid US$1.6 million for a Professional Sports Authenticator 5MC (miscut) Wagner. Rogers stated he "was prepared to go much higher and is pleased with his investment." He added "the citizens of Arkansas deserve to see this treasure and I intend to make the card available to the public."<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/latest/wagner-card-sold-again.html \| title=T206 Honus Wagner Card Sold Again \| date=2007-09-06 \| publisher=Sports Collectors Daily}}</ref> In November 2010, a group of nuns from Baltimore sold a Wagner card for $262,000 in auction to Doug Walton, a sporting card store owner.<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.kerryonworld.com/sports/baltimore-nuns-sell-rare-honus-wagner-baseball-card \| title=Baltimore Nuns Sell Rare Honus Wagner Baseball Card \| date=2010-10-06 \| access-date=2012-02-10 \| publisher=KerryOnWorld}}</ref>

			In April 2013, a T206 "jumbo" Wagner, so-called because it measured slightly larger than most other known examples, sold at auction for $2.1 million, reported to be a record price for the card.<ref>{{cite web \| url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/9140901/t206-honus-wagner-baseball-card-sets-21m-auction-mark \| title=Honus Wagner card sells for $2.1 million \| date=2013-04-06 \| publisher=ESPN}}</ref> That record was broken in October 2016 when the card was sold at auction for $3.12 million.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Seideman\|first1=David\|title=In 2016 The Top 10 Most Valuable Sports Cards And Memorabilia Commanded A Record $12 Million+\|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidseideman/2016/12/29/in-2016-top-10-most-valuable-sports-cards-and-memorabilia-command-record-12-million/#2b2f7b8b132b\|access-date=24 April 2017\|work=]\|date=December 29, 2016}}</ref>

			In May 2021, a Wagner from a private collection sold for $3.75 million at auction, again setting a new sales record for the card. <ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.beckett.com/news/t206-honus-wagner-sells-for-record-setting-3-75-million/\|title = $3.75 Million Marks New Record for T206 Honus Wagner Baseball Card\|date = 24 May 2021}}</ref>

			In August 2022, a Wagner sold for $7.25 million, resetting the record for the card. <ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2022/08/04/honus-wagner-t-206-baseball-card-auction-sold-goldin-auction/10235881002/\|title = Holy Grail of baseball cards — a Honus Wagner T-206 — sells for record $7.25 million\|access-date=4 August 2022\|work=]date=August 4, 2022}}</ref>

			In 2002, nearly 100 years after the original T206 cards were created, Topps rebooted the brand with Topps 206. The set paid tribute to the original T206 design and artwork, leaning heavily on nostalgic elements. Topps has released several collections of 206 cards over the years, including the first wave of its 2023 series (the “Low Series”). Each pack is filled with star athletes, retired legends, and talented rookies including rare parallels, image variations and limited-edition autographs.

			The iconic ] was reissued by Topps in 2002, with variations on its background color. The card was printed with the original 1909 orange color, and also in blue (#307).<ref></Ref> In 2020, a new Honus Wagner card was issued by the company (#45) as part of the second wave (of 5) released that year.<ref name=hogus2> by RYAN CRACKNELL on Beckett</ref>
	In November 2010, a group of nuns from Baltimore sold a Wagner card for $262,000 in auction to Doug Walton, a sporting card store owner.<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.kerryonworld.com/sports/baltimore-nuns-sell-rare-honus-wagner-baseball-card \| title=Baltimore Nuns Sell Rare Honus Wagner Baseball Card \| date=2010-10-06 \| accessdate=2012-02-10 \| publisher=KerryOnWorld}}</ref>

	==Brands ~~that produced T206~~ ~~cards~~==		== Brands commercialized ==
	]		]
	T206 cards were issued with 18 different backs, representing the 16 different brands of cigarettes/tobacco with which the cards were issued. Due to the same card having different backs, there are actually far more than 524 "different" T206 cards. The actual number of front/back combination is not fully known as collectors still discover new combinations from time to time. The 18 backs are:		T206 cards were issued with 16 different backs, representing the 16 different brands of cigarettes/tobacco with which the cards were issued. Due to the same card having different backs, there are actually far more than 524 "different" T206 cards. The actual number of front/back combination is not fully known as collectors still discover new combinations from time to time. The 16 backs are:

			{{div col\|colwidth=20em}}
	* American Beauty — more thinly cut than other brands due to the narrower size of the cigarette packs
			* American Beauty{{refn\|more thinly cut than other brands due to the narrower size of the cigarette packs\|group=note\|name=beauty}}
	* Autograph Back
	* Broadleaf		* Broadleaf
	* Carolina Brights		* Carolina Brights
	* Coupon
	* Cycle		* Cycle
	* Drum		* Drum
	* El Principe De Gales		* El Principe de Gales
	* Hindu~~ — Found~~ in both brown ink and red ink (rare)		* Hindu{{refn\|found in both brown ink and red ink (rare)\|group=note\|name=hindu}}
	* Lenox~~ — Found~~ in both black and (rarely) brown ink		* Lenox{{refn\|found in both black and (rarely) brown ink\|group=note\|name=inks}}
	* Old Mill~~ — Found~~ in black and, very rarely, brown inks. A single example of a blue backed Old Mill is known.<ref>http://forloveofthecards.blogspot.com/2012/08/this-is-amazing-there-has-been.html</ref>		* Old Mill{{refn\|found in black and, very rarely, brown inks. A single example of a blue backed Old Mill is known.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://forloveofthecards.blogspot.com/2012/08/this-is-amazing-there-has-been.html\|website=For the Love of the Cards\|title=T206 BLUE Old Mill Back at National\|first=Andy\|last=H\|date=August 2, 2012}}</ref>\|group=note\|name=oldmill}}
	* Piedmont		* Piedmont
	* Polar Bear~~ — Only~~ brand that is not cigarettes; Polar Bear was loose tobacco, also known as scrap tobacco		* Polar Bear{{refn\|only brand that is not cigarettes; Polar Bear was loose tobacco, also known as scrap tobacco\|group=note\|name=polar}}
	* Sovereign		* Sovereign
	* Sweet Caporal		* ]
	* Tolstoi		* Tolstoi
	* Ty Cobb~~ — Not~~ highly regarded as a T206 back as it is only found with a single image front <ref>http://www.t206resource.com/Back%20Rankings%20List.html</ref>		* Ty Cobb{{refn\|not highly regarded as a T206 back as it is only found with a single image front.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.t206resource.com/Back%20Rankings%20List.html\|website=T206Resource.com\|title=Back Rankings}}</ref>\|group=note\|name=tycobb}}
	* Uzit		* Uzit
	* Blank~~ —~~ unprinted backs appear infrequently but are likely printing anomalies		* Blank{{refn\|unprinted backs appear infrequently but are likely printing anomalies\|group=note\|name=blank}}
			{{div col end}}

	==~~392~~ ~~Players~~==		== Topps revival ==
			The ''206'' name has been revived by ] (under the "Topps 206" brand) a total three times, the first in 2002 with a second revival in 2010.<ref name=revival> on Topps.com</Ref> Again in 2020, the company released a new collection divided into five different series, with the first (50 cards) being released in May 2020.<ref name=check> by RYAN CRACKNELL at Beckett, Sep 2020</Ref> The collection, named "Topps 206", include players from both, ] and ] League. The 5th series was released in September 2020.<ref> on Card Board Connection</Ref>

			==Notes==
	*Ed Abbaticchio
			{{reflist\|group=note}}
	*Fred Abbott
	*Bill Abstein
	*Merle Adkins
	*Whitey Alperman
	*Red Ames
	*John Anderson
	*Frank Arellanes
	*Herman Armbruster
	*Harry Arndt
	*Jake Atz
	*Frank Baker
	*Neal Ball
	*Jap Barbeau
	*Cy Barger
	*Jack Barry
	*Shad Barry
	*Jack Bastian
	*Emil H. Batch
	*Johnny Bates
	*Harry Bay
	*Ginger Beaumont
	*Fred Beck
	*Beals Becker
	*Jake Beckley
	*George Bell
	*Chief Bender
	*Bill Bergen
	*Heinie Berger
	*Bill Bernhard
	*Bob Bescher
	*Joe Birmingham
	*Lena Blackburne
	*Jack Bliss
	*Frank Bowerman
	*Bill Bradley
	*David Brain
	*Kitty Bransfield
	*Roy Brashear
	*Ted Breitenstein
	*Roger Bresnahan
	*Al Bridwell
	*George Brown
	*Mordecai Brown
	*Al Burch
	*Fred Burchell
	*Jimmy Burke
	*Bill Burns
	*Donie Bush
	*John Butler
	*Bobby Byrne
	*Howie Camnitz
	*Billy Campbell
	*George Carey
	*Charles Carr
	*Bill Carrigan
	*Doc Casey
	*Peter Cassidy
	*Frank Chance
	*Bill Chappelle
	*Chappy Charles
	*Hal Chase
	*Jack Chesbro
	*Eddie Cicotte
	*Bill Clancy
	*Joshua Clarke
	*Fred Clarke
	*Nig Clarke
	*Bill Clymer
	*Ty Cobb
	*Cad Coles
	*Eddie Collins
	*Jimmy Collins
	*Bunk Congalton
	*Wid Conroy
	*Harry Covaleski
	*Doc Crandall
	*Bill Cranston
	*Gavvy Cravath
	*Sam Crawford
	*Birdie Cree
	*Lou Criger
	*Dode Criss
	*Monte Cross
	*Bill Dahlen
	*Paul Davidson
	*George Davis
	*Harry Davis
	*Frank Delehanty
	*Jim Delehanty
	*Ray Demmitt
	*Rube Dessau
	*Art Devlin
	*Josh Devore
	*Bill Dineen
	*Mike Donlin
	*Jiggs Donohue
	*Bill Donovan
	*Red Dooin
	*Mickey Doolan
	*Gus Dorner
	*Patsy Dougherty
	*Tom Downey
	*Jerome Downs
	*Joe Doyle
	*Larry Doyle
	*Jean Dubuc
	*Hugh Duffy
	*Jack Dunn
	*Joe Dunn
	*Bull Durham
	*Jimmy Dygert
	*Ted Easterly
	*Dick Egan
	*Kid Elberfeld
	*Roy Ellam
	*Clyde Engle
	*Steve Evans
	*Johnny Evers
	*Bob Ewing
	*George Ferguson
	*Hobe Ferris
	*Lou Fiene
	*James Flanagan
	*Art Fletcher
	*Elmer Flick
	*Russ Ford
	*Edward Foster
	*James Freeman
	*John Frill
	*Charles Fritz
	*Art Fromme
	*Chick Gandil
	*Bob Ganley
	*John Ganzel
	*Harry Gasper
	*Rube Geyer
	*George Gibson
	*Billy Gilbert
	*Wilbur Goode
	*Bill Graham
	*Peaches Graham
	*Dolly Gray
	*Ed Greminger
	*Clark Griffith
	*Myron Grimshaw
	*Bob Groom
	*Tom Guiheen
	*Ed Hahn
	*Robert Hall
	*William Hallman
	*John Hannifan
	*William F. Hart
	*James Henry Hart
	*Topsy Hartsel
	*Jack Hayden
	*J.R. Helm
	*Charlie Hemphill
	*Buck Herzog
	*Gordon Hickman
	*Bill Hinchman
	*Harry Hinchman
	*Doc Hoblitzell
	*Danny Hoffman
	*Harry C. Hoffman
	*Solly Hofman
	*Buck Hooker
	*Del Howard
	*Ernie Howard
	*Harry Howell
	*Miller Huggins
	*Rudy Hulswitt
	*John Hummel
	*George Hunter
	*Frank Isbell
	*Fred Jacklitsch
	*James B. Jackson
	*Hugh Jennings
	*Walter Johnson
	*Fielder Jones
	*Davy Jones
	*Tom Jones
	*Dutch Jordan
	*Tim Jordan
	*Addie Joss
	*Ed Karger
	*Willie Keeler
	*Joe Kelley
	*J.F. Kiernan
	*Ed Killian
	*Frank King
	*Rube Kisinger
	*Red Kleinow
	*Johnny Kling
	*Otto Knabe
	*John Knight
	*Ed Konetchy
	*Harry Krause
	*Rube Kroh
	*Otto Kruger
	*James LaFitte
	*Nap Lajoie
	*Joe Lake
	*Frank LaPorte
	*Arlie Latham
	*William Lattimore
	*James Lavender
	*Tommy Leach
	*Lefty Leifield
	*Ed Lennox
	*Harry Lentz
	*Glenn Liebhardt
	*Vive Lindaman
	*Perry Lipe
	*Paddy Livingstone
	*Hans Lobert
	*Harry Lord
	*Harry Lumley
	*Carl Lundgren
	*Nick Maddox
	*Sherry Magie
	*Bill Malarkey
	*William Maloney
	*George Manion
	*Rube Manning
	*Rube Marquard
	*Doc Marshall
	*Christy Mathewson
	*Al Mattern
	*Jack McAleese
	*George McBride
	*Pat McCauley
	*Moose McCormick
	*Pryor McElveen
	*Dennis McGann
	*James McGinley
	*Joe McGinnity
	*Ulysses McGlynn
	*John McGraw
	*Harry McIntyre
	*Matty McIntyre
	*Larry McLean
	*George McQuillan
	*Fred Merkle
	*George Merritt
	*Chief Meyers
	*Clyde Milan
	*Charles B. Miller
	*Dots Miller
	*William Milligan
	*Fred Mitchell
	*Mike Mitchell
	*Dan Moeller
	*Carlton Molesworth
	*Herbie Moran
	*Pat Moran
	*George Moriarty
	*Mike Mowrey
	*Dominic Mullaney
	*George Mullin
	*Danny Murphy
	*Red Murray
	*Chief Myers
	*William Nattress
	*Tom Needham
	*Simon Nicholls
	*Harry Niles
	*Rebel Oakes
	*Frank Oberlin
	*Peter O'Brien
	*Bill O'Hara
	*Rube Oldring
	*Charley O'Leary
	*William O'Neil
	*Albert Orth
	*William Otey
	*Orval Overall
	*Frank Owen
	*George Paige
	*Freddy Parent
	*Dode Paskert
	*Jim Pastorius
	*Harry Pattee
	*Fred Payne
	*Barney Pelty
	*Hub Perdue
	*George Perring
	*Archie Persons
	*Jeff Pfeffer
	*Jack Pfiester
	*James Phelan
	*Eddie Phelps
	*Deacon Phillippe
	*Oliver Pickering
	*Eddie Plank
	*Philip Poland
	*Jack Powell
	*Mike Powers
	*Billy Purtell
	*Ambrose Puttman
	*Lee Quillen
	*Jack Quinn
	*Newton Randall
	*Bugs Raymond
	*Edward Reagan
	*Ed Reulbach
	*R.H. Revelle
	*Bob Rhoades
	*Charlie Rhodes
	*Claude Ritchey
	*Louis Ritter
	*Isaac Rockenfeld
	*Claude Rossman
	*Nap Rucker
	*Dick Rudolph
	*Ray Ryan
	*Germany Schaefer
	*George Schirm
	*Larry Schlafly
	*Admiral Schlei
	*Boss Schmidt
	*Ossie Schreck
	*Frank Schulte
	*Jim Scott
	*Charles Seitz
	*Cy Seymour
	*William Shannon
	*Bayard Sharpe
	*Frank Shaughnessy
	*Al Shaw
	*Royal Shaw
	*Jimmy Sheckard
	*Bill Shipke
	*James Slagle
	*Carlos Smith
	*Frank Smith
	*Happy Smith
	*Heinie Smith
	*Sid Smith
	*Fred Snodgrass
	*Bob Spade
	*Tris Speaker
	*Tubby Spencer
	*Jake Stahl
	*Oscar Stanage
	*Dolly Stark
	*Charlie Starr
	*Harry Steinfeldt
	*Jim Stephens
	*George Stone
	*George Stovall
	*Samuel Strang
	*Gabby Street
	*Billy Sullivan
	*Ed Summers
	*Jeff Sweeney
	*Bill Sweeney
	*Jesse Tannehill
	*Lee Tannehill
	*Luther Taylor
	*Fred Tenney
	*Tony Thebo
	*John Thielman
	*Ira Thomas
	*Woodie Thornton
	*Joe Tinker
	*John Titus
	*Terry Turner
	*Bob Unglaub
	*Juan Violat
	*Rube Waddell
	*Heinie Wagner
	*Honus Wagner
	*Bobby Wallace
	*Ed Walsh
	*Jack Warhop
	*Jake Weimer
	*James Westlake
	*Zach Wheat
	*Doc White
	*Foley White
	*John F. White
	*Kaiser Wilhelm
	*Ed Willett
	*Jimmy Williams
	*Vic Willis
	*Chief Wilson
	*Hooks Wiltse
	*Lucky Wright
	*Cy Young
	*Irving M. Young
	*Heinie Zimmerman

	==References==		==References==
Line 449:		Line 98:
	==External links==		==External links==
	{{Commons category}}		{{Commons category}}
			* on T206 Museum
	*
			* on CardBoardConnection
	*
			* on Flickr

	{{Sports cards}}		{{Sports cards}}
			{{American Tobacco Company}}
			{{Topps Sports Card Products By Year}}

	]
	]		]

Latest revision as of 15:51, 25 November 2024

Tobacco card set

T206

Type	Baseball card
Inventor(s)	American Tobacco Company
Company	American Tobacco Company (1909–11) Topps (2002–present)
Country	United States

T206 is a tobacco card set issued from 1909 to 1911 in cigarette and loose tobacco packs through 16 different brands owned by the American Tobacco Company. It is a landmark set in the history of baseball card collecting, due to its size and rarity, and the quality of its color lithographs. The first series of cards were issued beginning in 1909. From 1909 to 1911 cards of over 500 major minor-league players in 16 different cigarette brands. The set featured Honus Wagner, Eddie Plank and the error cards of Larry Doyle and Sherry Magee. Several of the cards are among the most expensive sports cards ever sold.

In 2002, nearly 100 years after the original T206 cards were created, Topps rebooted the brand with Topps 206. The set paid tribute to the original T206 design and artwork, leaning heavily on nostalgic elements. Topps has released several collections of 206 cards over the years, including the first wave of its 2023 series (the “Low Series”). Each pack is filled with star athletes, retired legends, and talented rookies including rare parallels, image variations and limited-edition autographs.

Overview

The name T206 refers to the catalog designation assigned by Jefferson Burdick in his book The American Card Catalog. It is also known informally as the "White Border" set due to the distinctive white borders surrounding the lithographs on each card.

The T206 set consists of 524 cards. Over 100 of the cards picture minor league players. There are also multiple cards for the same player in different poses, different uniforms, or even with different teams after being traded (since the set was issued over a period of three years). The cards measure 1+7⁄16 by 2+5⁄8 inches (3.7 cm × 6.7 cm) which is considered by many collectors to be the standard tobacco card size.

The T206 set is one of the most popular and widely collected set of the tobacco/pre-war era. The historical significance of the set as well as the large number of variations give it enormous appeal to collectors. In addition, the set features many Baseball Hall of Fame members including Ty Cobb (who is pictured on four different cards), Walter Johnson, Cy Young, and Christy Mathewson. The value of the cards has led to a great deal of counterfeiting over the years.

Honus Wagner card

Main article: T206 Honus Wagner

The original Honus Wagner card (left) released in 1909, reissued by Topps in 2002 with blue background (right)

The T206 Wagner is the most valuable baseball card in existence, and even damaged examples are valued at $100,000 or more. This is in part because of Wagner's place among baseball's immortals, as he was an original Hall of Fame inductee. More importantly, it is one of the scarcest cards from the most prominent of all vintage card sets. It is estimated that less than 50 copies of this card made it into circulation.

Rarity

While the American Tobacco Trust, over three years and sixteen brands of cigarettes, distributed "tens or hundreds of thousands" of T206 cards for any given player, it is estimated that only between 50 and 200 Wagner cards were ever distributed to the public, and fewer still have survived to the present day. Several theories exist as to why the card is so rare. One theory is that the printing plate used to create Wagner's card broke early on in the production process, but Wagner was a major star at the time and new plates would almost certainly have been created. Another theory is that there was a copyright dispute between the American Tobacco Company and the artist who created the Wagner lithograph.

The most commonly accepted theory is that the card was pulled from production because Wagner himself objected to the production of the card, but his motivation is unclear. Reports at the time indicated Wagner did not wish to associate himself with cigarettes, possibly because he did not want to encourage children to smoke. However, some collectors and historians have pointed out that Wagner, a user of chewing tobacco, allowed his image to appear on cigar boxes and other tobacco-related products prior to 1909 and may have objected to the card simply because he wanted more financial compensation for the use of his image.

Value

A high-quality example of the Wagner card was sold at auction on eBay in 2000 for US$1.265 million. In February 2007, the same card was sold for a record US$2.35 million.

In September 2007, the Wagner card changed hands again when SCP Auctions of Mission Viejo, California, which had bought minority ownership, brokered a new sale—this time for US$2.8 million, to a private collector. On August 1, 2008, noted memorabilia dealer John Rogers of North Little Rock, Arkansas paid US$1.6 million for a Professional Sports Authenticator 5MC (miscut) Wagner. Rogers stated he "was prepared to go much higher and is pleased with his investment." He added "the citizens of Arkansas deserve to see this treasure and I intend to make the card available to the public." In November 2010, a group of nuns from Baltimore sold a Wagner card for $262,000 in auction to Doug Walton, a sporting card store owner.

In April 2013, a T206 "jumbo" Wagner, so-called because it measured slightly larger than most other known examples, sold at auction for $2.1 million, reported to be a record price for the card. That record was broken in October 2016 when the card was sold at auction for $3.12 million.

In May 2021, a Wagner from a private collection sold for $3.75 million at auction, again setting a new sales record for the card.

In August 2022, a Wagner sold for $7.25 million, resetting the record for the card.

The iconic Honus Wagner card was reissued by Topps in 2002, with variations on its background color. The card was printed with the original 1909 orange color, and also in blue (#307). In 2020, a new Honus Wagner card was issued by the company (#45) as part of the second wave (of 5) released that year.

Brands commercialized

T206 cards were issued with 16 different backs, representing the 16 different brands of cigarettes/tobacco with which the cards were issued. Due to the same card having different backs, there are actually far more than 524 "different" T206 cards. The actual number of front/back combination is not fully known as collectors still discover new combinations from time to time. The 16 backs are:

American Beauty
Broadleaf
Carolina Brights
Cycle
Drum
El Principe de Gales
Hindu
Lenox
Old Mill
Piedmont
Polar Bear
Sovereign
Sweet Caporal
Tolstoi
Ty Cobb
Uzit
Blank

Topps revival

The 206 name has been revived by Topps (under the "Topps 206" brand) a total three times, the first in 2002 with a second revival in 2010. Again in 2020, the company released a new collection divided into five different series, with the first (50 cards) being released in May 2020. The collection, named "Topps 206", include players from both, Major and Minor League. The 5th series was released in September 2020.

Notes

more thinly cut than other brands due to the narrower size of the cigarette packs
found in both brown ink and red ink (rare)
found in both black and (rarely) brown ink
found in black and, very rarely, brown inks. A single example of a blue backed Old Mill is known.
only brand that is not cigarettes; Polar Bear was loose tobacco, also known as scrap tobacco
not highly regarded as a T206 back as it is only found with a single image front.
unprinted backs appear infrequently but are likely printing anomalies

References

^ "Onus on Honus owners", from "The Score" column, T.J. Quinn & Michael O'Keeffe, New York Daily News, November 27, 2005
quote by Keith Olbermann (2013-03-25). "Holy Grail: The T206 Honus Wagner (ESPN Films' 30 For 30 Shorts)". Prospect Productions & ESPN Films. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
^ eBay press release regarding sale of Wagner card July 17, 2000
"eBay invokes new rules for baseball card auction", Troy Wolverton, CNET News.com, July 5, 2000
From T206museum.com, December 2005
"Wagner a Wonder", The Sporting News, October 24, 1912
"That's the Ticket: Learning Economics through Artifacts and Baseball History", Jeff Arnett, Memories and Dreams (National Baseball Hall of Fame quarterly newsletter)
Rogers, John (2007-02-27). "Honus Wagner baseball card sells for record $2.3 million". Associated Press. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
"T206 Honus Wagner Card Sold Again". Sports Collectors Daily. 2007-09-06.
"Baltimore Nuns Sell Rare Honus Wagner Baseball Card". KerryOnWorld. 2010-10-06. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
"Honus Wagner card sells for $2.1 million". ESPN. 2013-04-06.
Seideman, David (December 29, 2016). "In 2016 The Top 10 Most Valuable Sports Cards And Memorabilia Commanded A Record $12 Million+". Forbes. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
"$3.75 Million Marks New Record for T206 Honus Wagner Baseball Card". 24 May 2021.
"Holy Grail of baseball cards — a Honus Wagner T-206 — sells for record $7.25 million". USA Todaydate=August 4, 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
2002 Topps 206 checklist
2020 TOPPS 206 BASEBALL VARIATIONS GUIDE by RYAN CRACKNELL on Beckett
H, Andy (August 2, 2012). "T206 BLUE Old Mill Back at National". For the Love of the Cards.
"Back Rankings". T206Resource.com.
Topps 206 Baseball on Topps.com
2020 TOPPS 206 BASEBALL CHECKLIST, TEAM SET LISTS AND DETAILS by RYAN CRACKNELL at Beckett, Sep 2020
2020 Topps T206 Baseball Cards – Series 5 Checklist on Card Board Connection

External links

Checklist (original 1909–11 collection) on T206 Museum
2020 Topps checklist - wave 1 to 5 on CardBoardConnection
Complete Set Gallery on Flickr

Sports cards

Sports

Series

Baseball	All-Star Rookie team All-Star Rookie list Baseball menko Baseball Talk T200 Fatima T201 T202 T205 T206 Honus Wagner Ty Cobb T213 Topps sets Yankee Stadium Legacy W711-2
Cricket	Will's 1928 set
Ice hockey	Power Players

Manufacturers

People

Media

General topics

American Tobacco Company

Companies

Founding companies	Allen & Ginter W. Duke & Sons Goodwin & Co. W.S. Kimball & Co. Kinney Brothers
Joint venture	British American Tobacco (1902–94)
Subsidiary	Lucky Strike (1905–94)

People

Buildings

Company	Duke Factory Historic District Prizery South Richmond Complex Trail Warehouses Complex
Duke family	Benjamin Duke Doris Duke James Duke (NY) James Duke (NC)

Memorabilia

Baseball cards	T201 T202 T205 T206 Honus Wagner Ty Cobb

American Tobacco Co. v. Werckmeister

v t e Topps Company, Inc.
Sports cards	Baseball All-Star Rookie team All-Star Rookie list T206 Baseball Talk
Non-sports cards	Civil War News Dinosaurs Attack! Garbage Pail Kids Hollywood Zombies Mars Attacks Wacky Packages
Comics	Characters Titles
People	Sy Berger Woody Gelman Dick Perez
Brands	Allen & Ginter Bowman
Former brands	WizKids
Category Commons

Category:

Baseball cards