Pre-War Cards

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Top 10: Best-Looking T206 White Border Cards

Compiling a Top 10 “best looking” list is bound to be a subjective exercise.  But when you start to include criteria like poses, portraits and color composition, a once overwhelming list of 76 cards can quickly be whittled down. In this entry, we’re going to select the 10 most aesthetically pleasing Hall of Famers’ cards found in the 1909-11 T206 White Border set.

During that three-year span, the American Tobacco Company produced a collection of 524 player cards that packed out inside 16 different brands of cigarettes. The earlier reference to “76” cards acknowledges the number of player cards that feature major league legends who now reside in Cooperstown. But wait, the list gets even shorter because from those 76 cards we find just 32 different players spotlighted. For instance, Ty Cobb and Joe Tinker both have four different variations each, while 11 others boast three different examples apiece including Chief Bender, Mordecai Brown, Johnny Evers, Nap Lajoie, Christy Mathewson and Cy Young.

 

10: Eddie Collins Portrait

A steady second sacker who collected 3,315 hits over 25 seasons between the Athletics and the Chisox, Collins was as dependable as the games were long. This portrait shows the handsome player proudly sporting his Athletics uniform against a majestic red background.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9: Joe Tinker, Hands on Knees

Part of the Cubs’ great double-play combination with teammates Johnny Evers and Frank Chance, Tinkers was as sure-handed as any shortstop ever. This T206 card captures Tinkers’ concentration while readying himself for the next ground ball. The light background places emphasis on the player.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8: Christy Mathewson, White Cap

“Matty” was a flamethrowing righty who recorded 373 wins and 2,507 K’s over his illustrious career. This card shows the legendary hurler eyeing down another batter and preparing to throw some heat. The background of equal parts blue and green provides symmetry to the presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7: Joe “Iron Man” McGinnity, Newark

An impressive righthander who tallied 151 wins for the New York Giants, McGinnity went on to play, manage and own the Newark Indians of the Class-A Eastern League. The Newark ace is presented here doing what he did best, set atop a powerful red background.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6: Willie Keeler, With Bat

“Wee Willie” Keeler stood just 5’ 4” tall but swung a productive bat (.341 BA). This card positions Keeler against a beautiful blue sky with puffy clouds. He is shown choking up on his bat wearing his New York Highlanders uniform in which he collected nearly one third of his 2,932 career hits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5: John McGraw, Glove at Hip 

A terrific infielder (.898) and hitter (.334 BA), McGraw is portrayed in a casual stance with a playful expression on his face. The scene captures McGraw, an-even-better manager, at his best: have fun but play to win. The triple-hued background is also quite pleasing to the eye.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4: Johnny Evers, With Bat, Chicago on Shirt

Slight of build, Evers was a steady infielder for the Cubs who swiped 324 bases during his 18-year career. This T206 card captures his youthful vitality by centering him, bat in hand, in front of a quadruple-hued background.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3: Mordecai Brown, Cubs on Shirt

A pitcher who overcame a childhood farming accident that claimed the index finger of his throwing hand, Brown played in the big leagues with unbridled exuberance. This T206 card captures the cheerfulness of the capless Cubs hurler set against a powerful yellow background.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2: Chief Bender, Pitching, Trees in Back

The right-hander who collected 212 career wins is framed perfectly in front of background trees and green grass which provide a beautiful backdrop for the Athletics hurler without taking away any attention from the subject himself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1: Ty Cobb, Bat Off Shoulder

The Georgia Peach’s most valuable T206 card is also his most visually appealing. Positioning the outstanding batsman in front of several beautiful background hues, including a field of green, the card shows Cobb gripping his weapon of choice, a bat that helped him achieve a .366 career batting average.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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