Thompson, Right Field, Philadelphia, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century American baseball with *Thompson, Right Field,*, a captivating albumen photograph from Goodwin & Company's iconic Old Judge series (N), issued in 1888 to promote Old Judge Cigarettes This tiny card—measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches— a portrait of Thompson, the Philadelphia team's right fielder, capturing athletic prowess and star power of early professional baseball players. Albumen prints, made by coating paper with egg whites and silver salts for sharp detail and warm tones, were ideal for mass-producing these collectible inserts, blending photography's precision with ephemera's charm. Produced during baseball's explosive rise as a national pastime, these cards were among the first to document players systematically, fueling fan devotion and the birth of sports memorabilia. Goodwin & Company distributed millions, making stars accessible in every cigarette pack. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection—a treasure trove of printed ephemera—this piece highlights how commerce and culture intertwined, turning everyday tobacco products into portals to America's sporting heritage. Its cultural significance endures: as both art object and historical artifact, it preserves a snapshot of Gilded Age masculinity, athleticism, and fandom, reminding us how small images sparked lifelong passions.

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...