Robert Emmerke, Pitcher, 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 Goodwin & Company's *Old Judge* series (N172), produced in 1889. Titled *Robert Emmerke, Pitcher, Des Moines Prohibitionists*, it captures the stern gaze and poised stance of Emmerke, a player for the minor-league Des Moines team—aptly named for the era's growing temperance movement. Measuring just 2 11/ x 1 3/8 inches, card was one of thousands inserted into Old Judge Cigarette packs, transforming everyday smokes into collectible treasures that fueled America's baseball craze. As ephemera from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, it exemplifies early photographic trading cards, blending portraiture with promotion. The albumen process, using egg-white sensitized paper, delivered sharp details and warm tones, making these tiny images remarkably lifelike despite their mass production. Goodwin & Company issued over 500 in the *Old Judge* baseball series alone, documenting stars and journeymen alike during baseball's professional boom. This piece isn't just a snapshot—it's a cultural artifact highlighting how sports, advertising, and photography intertwined, preserving overlooked athletes like Emmerke for posterity. A delightful 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...