Clark Calvin "Old Fox" Griffith, Pitcher, Milwaukee, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century American sports culture with this petite albumen photograph from Goodwin & Company's iconic Old Judge series (N172), produced in 1889. Titled *Clark Calvin "Old Fox Griffith, Pitcher,*, it captures the stern gaze and poised stance of Griffith, a formidable pitcher for the Milwaukee team baseball's formative professional era. At just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches, this ephemera was originally tucked into Old Judge Cigarette packs as a collectible premium, blending tobacco marketing with the rising star power of athletes. Albumen prints, made by coating paper with egg whites and silver salts for sharp detail and warm tones, were the gold standard of photography in the 1880s, making these cards accessible snapshots of heroism. Part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection—a treasure trove of vintage trading cards—this piece highlights baseball's explosive popularity amid industrialization, turning players like the cunning "Old Fox" Griffith into everyday icons. Its classification as both photograph and ephemera underscores its dual role: fine portraiture meets populist memorabilia, preserving a pivotal moment when sports became spectacle.

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...