James Edwin "Jim" Powell, Manager and 1st Base, Sioux City Corn Huskers, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century baseball with this charming albumen photograph from Goodwin & Company's Old Judge series (N172), in 1889. Titled *James Edwin "Jim", Manager and 1 Base, Sioux City Corners*, it captures the stern yet determined portrait of Powell, a key figure for the minor-league team. Measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches, this tiny card was designed as a promotional insert in Old Judge Cigarette packs, making it a pocket-sized piece of sports history. Albumen prints, coated with egg whites for a glossy finish and sharp detail, were the gold standard of photography in the era, allowing mass production of these affordable lithographed cards from original photos. The Old Judge series, one of the earliest comprehensive baseball card sets, featured over 2,000 players and helped fuel America's growing obsession with the sport during its professional boom. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this ephemera highlights the intersection of commerce, photography, and fandom. It reminds us how everyday items like cigarette cards democratized celebrity, paving the way for modern trading cards and athlete iconography. A delightful glimpse into Gilded Age leisure!

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...