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 west and slightly north on the canvas, with specks of tobacco staining lining the otherwise bright white borders. Corners are nice and edges are sharp for the grade, and the registration is very nice. The Polar Bear back is extremely bold and strong, with some tobacco staining on the reverse, as well. The scarcity of this issue far outweighs any perceived cosmetic flaws on this example.

PSA has only ever graded 25 total examples of this T206 with a Polar Bear back, with only eleven receiving a higher grade than the VG+ 3.5 offered here of St. Louis' Jap Barbeau.