Graded NM-MT 8 by PSA. Hall of Famer. This is one of just fourteen examples at its tier (with three graded higher) among a total of nearly eight hundred copies recorded in PSA's census reporting. Whenever a pitcher's greatness is judged, whether it's Mathewson or Maddux, the incomparable Walter Johnson is always used as a benchmark. The tall, lanky hurler had one of the most explosive and deceptive fastballs in the game.

      As one of his contemporaries said about him, "You can't hit what you can't see." At the time this card was produced, Johnson was just starting to find his groove. Coming off a losing season in 1909 – when he still posted a phenomenal 2.21 ERA – Johnson won 25 games while striking out 313 men in 1910. From 1910 through 1919, he incredibly amassed at least 20 victories every season and led the league in strikeouts in all but one of those years. Johnson's ERA climbed above the 2.00 mark only once! All of this for a horrible offensive team that provided minimal run support and not one pennant in all those years. This T206 tobacco card of Walter Johnson is a true prize, boasting an extraordinary depiction befitting its subject's stature. The card's borders are beautifully white and the colors in the image are strong. All four corners are clean and sharply defined, and centering is nearly perfect. A bright red "Sweet Caporal - 350 Subjects" advertisement appears on the reverse. Near Mint to Mint condition.

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