August H. "Gus" Krock, Pitcher, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century baseball with this petite albumen photograph from the Judge series (N172 produced by Goodwin & Company 1888. Titled *August H. "Gus" Krock, Pitch, Chicago*, it captures Chicago White Stockings hurler in a formal portrait pose, emblematic of the era's emerging sports heroes. These cards, measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches, were tucked into Old Judge Cigarette packs as promotional inserts, blending tobacco marketing with the growing national pastime. The Old Judge series marked a golden age for baseball ephemera, featuring over 500 players in high-quality photos that documented the professional game's infancy. Gus Krock, a reliable pitcher during the 1880s, exemplifies the rugged athletes who propelled baseball from sandlots to stadiums. Goodwin & Company's innovative use of albumen prints—coated paper sensitized with egg whites and silver salts—delivered sharp details and warm tones, making these affordable cards prized collectibles. Today, housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this piece highlights how everyday objects preserved sports history and American culture, offering a tangible link to baseball's formative years.

About the Artist

Goodwin & Company · 1850–1950

**Goodwin & Company (ca. 1850–1950)** Goodwin & Company, originally established as E. Goodwin and Brother before the American Civil War, emerged as a prominent New York City-based tobacco manufacturer in the mid-19th century. Operating from the bustling heart of Manhattan, the firm built its reputation on popular cigarette brands such as Gypsy Queen and, most notably, Old Judge, which became syno...