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.

Lefthanded pitcher Dolly Gray finishes his motion in this action shot in front of a solid red background. His white Washington uniform has beautiful shading on it to portray shadows along the left side of his body. Centering is gorgeous on this example, with nice corners and sharp edges. What looks like a possible surface abrasion causing light color loss on the bill of Gray's cap and on his belt are actually both purposely designed into the image, and look exactly as they should. Some light tobacco staining keeps this card from grading higher than it already has. The Polar Bear back is dark and bold, yet exhibits more tobacco staining, telling the history of the card's past.