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.

Ira Thomas has his right hand in the air at the end of his throwing motion in this beautiful image, but the first thing almost everyone sees when they lay their eyes on this beauty is the incredible fiery sky. A bold green background under the horizon provides even more gorgeous color to this card which did not lack any. Centering is east on the canvas, with gorgeous corners and edges. The printing on the tough EPDG back is dark and bold. The reverse has some significant soiling along the right edge which does not affect the front, but does contribute to the card's technical grade, keeping it from an even higher number than it has already achieved. The lesser-known T206 backs are having a run of late, EPDG being one of the hottest.

PSA has only graded 9 total examples of this T206 with an El Principe De Gales back, with NONE ever receiving a higher grade than the EX 5 offered here of Philadelphia's Ira Thomas.