John Good "Long John" Reilly, 1st Base, Cincinnati, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century baseball with this diminutive yet iconic albumen photograph from 1888, featuring John Good "Long John", the towering first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. Produced by Goodwin & Company as part of their celebrated Old Judge series (N)—tiny inserts tucked into cigarette packs—this portrait captures Reilly in his athletic prime, embodying the era's growing fascination with America's pastime. These pocket-sized cards (just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches) were revolutionary, among the earliest mass-produced photographs of sports figures, blending photography's precision with ephemera culture. Albumen prints, made by coating paper with egg whites and silver salts, yielded sharp, luminous images ideal for such miniatures, making stars like Reilly accessible to fans nationwide. Part of the Jefferson R. Burdick Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, this piece highlights how tobacco companies fueled baseball's popularity while preserving fleeting moments of heroism. Today, it whispers of a time when baseball cards bridged art, commerce, and sport, turning everyday smokers into collectors and players into legends. A charming glimpse into Gilded Age fandom!

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...