C W Williamson, Shortstop, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century baseball with *C W Williamson, Short, Chicago*, a gem from Goodwin & Company's iconic Old Judge series (N), produced between 1887 and 1890. This petite albumen photograph, measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches, captures Chicago White Stockings shortstop Charles W. Williamson in a portrait, emblematic of the era's emerging sports heroes. Issued as promotional inserts in Old Judge Cigarettes packs, these cards transformed everyday smokes into collectibles, fueling America's growing passion for "America's pastime." The Old Judge series stands as a cornerstone of baseball ephemera, featuring over 2,000 player images that meticulously documented the professional league's stars during its formative years. Goodwin & Company pioneered this marketing innovation, blending photography with tobacco advertising to create affordable, mass-produced athlete portraits. Albumen prints, made by coating paper with egg-white sensitized silver salts, offered sharp detail and rich tones ideal for small-scale reproduction, making these cards both accessible souvenirs and historical snapshots. Today, housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection—a treasure trove of vintage trading cards—this piece highlights the cultural fusion of sport, commerce, and photography. It invites us to ponder how such humble ephemera immortalized early athletes, bridging 1880s ballparks to modern fandom. (198 words)

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...