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.

There are four different John McGraw cards included in the T206 set (the only person with more is Hal Chase, with five). This version is a portrait of the Hall of Famer without his cap in front of a red background. Centering is south on the canvas, with some light tobacco staining throughout. A light crease starts on the left edge at about the top of McGraw's head and runs diagonally through his left eye and to the right edge at about nose height, which keeps the card from grading higher. The Piedmont back shows minor tobacco soiling around the edges, but is printed dark and bold. Lots of eye appeal for this Hall of Famer.