Sam Barkley, 2nd Base, Pittsburgh, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 1880s America with *Sam Barkley, 2nd Base, Pittsburgh*, diminutive yet captivating albumen photograph from Goodwin & Company's iconic Old Judge series (N). Produced in 1887 as inserts for Old Judge Cigarettes this tiny card—measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches—captures the poised intensity of baseball player Sam Barkley, ready at second base for the Pittsburgh team. These ephemera were more than collectibles; they the growing frenzy for America's, blending sports heroism with clever tobacco marketing. Albumen prints, made by coating paper with egg whites and silver salts, delivered sharp, luminous details ideal for mass reproduction. Goodwin & Company pioneered this format for their extensive baseball series, turning everyday players into celebrated portraits and sparking a collecting craze among fans, especially young boys. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this piece highlights early photography's role in popular culture—ephemeral advertising transformed into enduring cultural treasure, preserving a pivotal moment when baseball emerged as a national obsession.

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...