John A. "Cub" Stricker, 2nd Base, Cleveland, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 1880s baseball with this intimate albumen photograph of John A. "Cub" Stricker, Cleveland's agile second baseman. Produced by Goodwin & Company in 1889 as part of the iconic Old Judge series (N172), this pocket-sized portrait (just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches) captures Stricker's focused gaze and athletic poise, embodying the era's rising sports heroes. These cards were clever promotional inserts in Old Judge Cigarette packs, among the earliest baseball trading cards that fueled the sport's explosion as America's pastime. The Old Judge series stands out for documenting hundreds of players in dynamic poses, preserving a visual history of professional baseball's formative years amid the National League's growth. Crafted via the albumen process—using egg whites to bind light-sensitive silver salts for crisp detail and warm tones—this ephemera blends photography with advertising savvy. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art through the Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, it reveals how everyday collectibles bridged sports fandom, commerce, and visual culture in Gilded Age America.

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...