James Dickson "Dick" Phelan, 2nd Base, Des Moines Prohibitionists, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the early days of America's pastime with this petite albumen photograph from Goodwin & Company's iconic Old Judge series (N), produced in 1889. Titled *James Dickson "Dick"helan, 2nd Base, Des Moines Prohibitionists it captures the poised figure of Phelan, a second baseman for the minor-league Des Moines team—whose temperance-inspired name reflected the era's push against alcohol. Inserted into Old Judge Cigarette packs as promotional collectibles, these cards immortalized players from major and minor leagues alike, fueling baseball's growing fandom. At just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches, this card exemplifies the albumen printing process, prized for its crisp detail and warm tones derived from egg whites coating paper sensitized with silver salts. Goodwin & Company, a leading tobacco firm, revolutionized sports ephemera by commissioning thousands of such portraits, blending photography's precision with mass production. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, it highlights how 19th-century commerce and culture intertwined to document athletic heroes. These "Old Judge" cards hold immense historical value, offering glimpses into baseball's professionalization amid post-Civil War leisure booms. Phelan's image, tagged with themes of men, portraits, athletes, and baseball, reminds us how everyday tobacco inserts became treasured artifacts of American sports heritage.

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...