The first series of cards in the T206 set were issued beginning in
1909 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, with
cards of over 500 major and minor-league players issued in the set
through 1911. It is known informally as the "White Border" set due to
the
distinctive white borders surrounding the quality color lithographs on
each card.
Despite playing just four seasons in
the majors, "Jap" Barbeau played 13
seasons in the American Association and Pacific Coast league, belting
1,463 lifetime hits. He spent
two seasons as a platoon infielder with St. Louis, with whom he is
pictured here. Centering is very nice, perfectly framing the
beautiful green background. Great, bold colors
dominate this image, from the dark gray of his uniform, to the red
details of his collar and belt. Rounded corners are consistent with the
grade, but the edges are in good shape. The
tough Carolina Brights back is printed slightly askew, with some light soiling in the bottom right corner and near the top left edge.
PSA has only graded 14 total
examples of this T206 with a Carolina Brights back, with only six ever receiving a higher grade than the VG 3 offered here of St. Louis
third baseman Jap Barbeau.