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 two different Harry Howell
cards included in the T206
set. One is a portrait in front of a yellow background. This version,
featuring a nearly full-body portrait of Howell with his left hand at
his waist, also in front of a yellow background, is the slightly more
rare of the two. Centering is just slightly north on the canvas, with some light soiling and smudge marks especially visible on the light yellow background. Corners and edges are consistent with the grade, while a couple light creases emerge on the lower half of the left side. The text on the Old Mill back is dark and bold, with only some light soiling appearing on the reverse. The great colors and lovely print registration on the front give this card lots of eye appeal, despite any cosmetic flaws.
PSA has only ever graded 21 total examples of this T206 with an Old Mill
back, with only ten receiving a higher grade than the Good 2 offered here
of St. Louis' Harry Howell with his hand at his waist.