Sidney Douglas Farrar, 1st Base, Philadelphia, 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 albumen photograph from & Company's iconic Old Judge series (N172), produced in 1887 for Old Judge Cigarettes.itled *Sidney Douglas Farrar 1st Base,*, it captures the poised portrait of Sidney Douglas Farrar, a first baseman for the Philadelphia during baseball's formative professional era. Measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches, this tiny ephemera was designed as a collectible insert in cigarette packs, sparking a craze among fans eager to amass images of their athletic heroes. Albumen prints, the medium of choice for sharp detail and rich sepia tones, reflect the era's photographic innovation, transforming everyday tobacco promotions into accessible art. The Old Judge series stands out for its unprecedented documentation of early baseball stars, blending commerce with culture at a time when the sport was exploding in popularity across America. Farrar's stern gaze embodies the grit of Gilded Age athletes, offering a window into a pivotal moment when baseball transitioned from pastime to national obsession. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department as part of The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection (gift of Jefferson R. Burdick), this card highlights ephemera's enduring value—preserving not just a player's likeness, but a slice of social history where sports, advertising, and photography converged.

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...