The T205 Gold Border set is considered by many collectors to be one of the most beautiful card sets ever issued. This set, issued in 1911 by the American Tobacco Company, uses vivid colors, attractive portraiture, plus an attractive (and, unfortunately, very condition sensitive) gold border.
Like the T201 Mecca Double Folders, also out in 1911, the T205s, or "Gold Borders," have player biographies and stats, setting a precedent for future sports cards. The Gold Borders depicted the American, National, and Minor leagues. American League cards have the player portrait surrounded by a baseball diamond. The National League cards, like the Christy Mathewson pictured, has one of the excellent portraits on a bright background, plus the first use of facsimile autographs ever on a sports card. There are twelve Minor League cards, which have more detailed borders, and the pictures are often "action shots" of the players.
Like most tobacco cards, the T 205 cards measure 1 1/2 by 2 5/8 inches. The Gold Borders were issued in eleven different brands of cigarettes, including Sweet Caporal, Hassan, Polar Bear, American Beauty, Cycle, Piedmont, Sovereign, Honest, Broadleaf, Hindu, and Drum. The T205's are subject to the chipping around the edges, making it difficult to find them at a very high grade--the Mathewson pictured here is PSA graded a 2--but they still remain a favorite among collectors, partly due to the number of early Hall of Famers included in the set.
If you'd like to see more 1911 Gold Borders, the T205 Gallery has a card set on display on-line.
Posts
