Michael J. Cody, Catcher, Des Moines Prohibitionists, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century baseball with this petite albumen photograph from Goodwin & Company's iconic Old Judge series (N), produced in 1889 to promote their cigarettes. Titled *Michael J. Cody, Catcher, Des Moines Prohibition*, it captures the stern gaze and poised stance of Cody, catcher for the Des Moines Prohibitionists—a minor league team named for the era's temperance movement, America's social push against alcohol amid the sport's rising popularity. Printed on a tiny sheet measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches, this ephemera exemplifies early photographic trade cards, which blended advertising with sports portraiture. Albumen prints, made by coating paper with egg-white emulsion for sharp detail and warm tones, were the gold standard of the time, making these affordable collectibles a snapshot of professional athletes before mass media. Goodwin & Company issued thousands in the series, immortalizing stars and obscurities alike, fueling baseball's fan culture. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this card highlights how everyday tobacco premiums preserved baseball's formative years, offering a charming glimpse into Gilded Age leisure and the athletes who defined it.

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...