View source for T206

{{Short description|Tobacco card set}}
{{Infobox toy
| name = T206
| image = Topps 206 logo.png
| image_size = 170
| image_upright = 
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| othernames = 
| type = [[Baseball card]]
| inventor = [[American Tobacco Company]]
| company = American Tobacco Company (1909–11)<br>[[Topps]] (2002–present)
| country = [[United States]] 
| from =  
| to = 
| materials = 
| features = 
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}}
'''T206''' is a [[cigarette card|tobacco card]] set issued from 1909 to 1911 in [[cigarette pack|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 [[lithograph]]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 [[T206 Honus Wagner|Honus Wagner]], Eddie Plank and the error cards of Larry Doyle and Sherry Magee. Several of the cards are among the [[List of most expensive sports cards|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 ==
[[File:Flickr - …trialsanderrors - Tubby Spencer, Boston Red Sox, ca. 1910.jpg|thumb|150px|T206 card displaying [[Boston Red Sox]] player [[Tubby Spencer]]]]
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 baseball|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 {{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 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 [[T206 Ty Cobb|four different cards]]), [[Walter Johnson]], [[Cy Young]], and [[Christy Mathewson]]. The value of the cards has led to a great deal of [[counterfeit]]ing over the years.

== Honus Wagner card ==
{{main|T206 Honus Wagner}}
{{multiple image
|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>[http://www.nydailynews.com/11-27-2005/sports/more_sports/story/369257p-314198c.html "Onus on Honus owners"], from "The Score" column, T.J. Quinn & Michael O'Keeffe, ''[[New York Daily News]]'', November 27, 2005</ref> This is in part because of Wagner's place among baseball's immortals, as he was an original [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|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,<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 [[Keith Olbermann]] |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>[http://news.cnet.com/2100-1017-242804.html "eBay invokes new rules for baseball card auction"], Troy Wolverton, [[CNET News.com]], 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 [[Offset printing|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.<ref>[http://www.t206museum.com/page/periodical_51.html From T206museum.com], 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>[http://explorepahistory.com/odocument.php?docId=1-4-DF "Wagner a Wonder"], ''[[The Sporting News]]'', 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 [[chewing tobacco]], allowed his image to appear on [[cigar box]]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>[http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/membership/memories_dreams/2003/summer/thats_the_ticket.htm  "That's the Ticket: Learning Economics through Artifacts and Baseball History"], Jeff Arnett, ''Memories and Dreams'' (National Baseball Hall of Fame quarterly newsletter)</ref>

===Value===
A high-quality example of the Wagner card was sold at auction on [[eBay]] in 2000 for US$1.265&nbsp;million.<ref name=ebay>[http://investor.ebay.com/news/20000717-22654.cfm?ReleaseID=22654&FYear= eBay press release regarding sale of Wagner card] July 17, 2000</ref> In February 2007, the same card was sold for a record US$2.35&nbsp;million.<ref name="y2007-02">{{cite web|publisher=[[Associated Press]] |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 [[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."<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 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909202631/http://www.kerryonworld.com/sports/baltimore-nuns-sell-rare-honus-wagner-baseball-card | url-status=usurped | archive-date=September 9, 2012 | 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=[[Forbes]]|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, another 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=[[USA Today]]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 [[T206 Honus Wagner|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).<ref>[https://www.sportscardchecklist.com/sport-baseball/year-2002/index-topps-206/trading-card-checklists-and-product-information 2002 Topps 206 checklist]</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>[https://www.beckett.com/news/2020-topps-206-baseball-variations-guide/ 2020 TOPPS 206 BASEBALL VARIATIONS GUIDE] by RYAN CRACKNELL on Beckett</ref>

== Brands commercialized ==
[[File:White Borders baseball card reverse.JPG|thumb|120px|Reverse of a T206 card issued under the 'Piedmont cigarettes' brand]]
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{{refn|more thinly cut than other brands due to the narrower size of the cigarette packs|group=note|name=beauty}}
* Broadleaf
* Carolina Brights
* Cycle
* Drum
* El Principe de Gales 
* Hindu{{refn|found in both brown ink and red ink (rare)|group=note|name=hindu}}
* Lenox{{refn|found in both black and (rarely) brown ink|group=note|name=inks}}
* 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
* Polar Bear{{refn|only brand that is not cigarettes; Polar Bear was loose tobacco, also known as scrap tobacco|group=note|name=polar}}
* Sovereign
* [[Sweet Caporal]]
* Tolstoi
* 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
* Blank{{refn|unprinted backs appear infrequently but are likely printing anomalies|group=note|name=blank}}
{{div col end}}

== 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.<ref name=revival>[https://www.topps.com/2020-topps-206-baseball-series-4.html Topps 206 Baseball] 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>[https://www.beckett.com/news/2020-topps-206-baseball-cards/ 2020 TOPPS 206 BASEBALL CHECKLIST, TEAM SET LISTS AND DETAILS] by RYAN CRACKNELL at Beckett, Sep 2020</Ref> The collection, named "Topps 206", include players from both, [[Major League Baseball|Major]] and [[Minor League Baseball|Minor]] League. The 5th series was released in September 2020.<ref>[https://www.cardboardconnection.com/2020-topps-206-baseball-cards 2020 Topps T206 Baseball Cards – Series 5 Checklist] on Card Board Connection</Ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.t206museum.com/page/ch_reglt.html Checklist (original 1909–11 collection)] on T206 Museum
* [https://www.cardboardconnection.com/2020-topps-206-baseball-cards 2020 Topps checklist - wave 1 to 5] on CardBoardConnection
* [https://www.flickr.com/photos/traeregan/sets/72157602091267087/detail/ Complete Set Gallery] on Flickr

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

[[Category:Baseball cards]]