If you’re new to back collecting (or if you don’t really care about the tougher backs, and haven’t paid much attention to them) the Hindu backs can be a little confusing. I get a lot of questions about the Hindu backs from hobby friends, so I figured an article on the topic might be in order. Like many T206 topics, this one may seem complex on the surface. Luckily, it’s actually pretty simple. You just need to understand two simple rules, and know where to go to jog your memory if you forget them.
In order to get the most out of this article, I recommend opening the two checklists below (courtesy of t206resource.com) in another tab so that you can refer to them as we go:
Brown Hindu Checklist
Red Hindu Checklist
Mutual Exclusivity
Brown Hindu and Red Hindu backs are mutually exclusive. This means that if a pose exists with a Brown Hindu back, it does not exist with a Red Hindu back, and vice versa.
The two backs were printed at completely separate times. Brown Hindu backs were printed very early in T206 production, in 1909. Red Hindu backs were printed in the latter part of 1910 and/or early part of 1911.
Understanding the Print Groups is Key to Understanding the Hindu Backs
If you collect backs, or are considering it, I highly recommend setting aside some time to read and digest the Print Group checklists that are posted over at T206resource.com. I’ll also be writing more about the Print Groups in a the coming months.
Brown Hindu backs are found on:
- 102 of the 159 Print Group #1 poses (T206resource.com refers to the 150-350 Series as Print Group #1)
- 34 of the 48 Southern Leaguers (T206resource.com refers to the Southern Leaguers as Print Group #6)
Print Group #1 Checklist (the 150-350 Series)
Print Group #6 Checklist (the Southern Leaguers)
Red Hindu backs are found on:
- 26 of the 63 Print Group #3 poses (T206resource.com refers to the 350-460 Series as Print Group #3)
- 12 of the 46 Print Group #4 poses (T206resource.com refers to the 460 Only Series as Print Group #4)
- 5 of the 6 Print Group #5 poses (T206resource.com refers to the “Super Prints” as Print Group #5)
Print Group #3 Checklist (the 350-460 Series)
Print Group #4 Checklist (the 460 Only Series)
Print Group #5 Checklist (the “Super Prints”)
Currently t206resource.com lists 43 confirmed poses with Red Hindu backs. The reason that only 5 of the 6 “Super Prints” are listed in the Red Hindu checklist is that Mathewson (Dark Cap) has not yet been found with a Red Hindu back, though it seems likely that it was a part of the print run. In addition to Mathewson, t206resource expects that McIntyre (Brooklyn and Chicago) and Reulbach (No Glove Showing) were also printed with Red Hindu backs. That brings the expected checklist up to a total of 46 poses.
Red Hindu backs are exponentially scarcer than Brown Hindu backs. There is a decent chance that an unconfirmed Red Hindu pose could show up in the future. Conversely, it would be very surprising if a new player was found with a Brown Hindu back. It’s possible, but very unlikely.
