William Benjamin "Shorty" Fuller, Shortstop, St. Louis Browns, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the bustling world of 1880s baseball with this diminutive yet captivating albumen photograph from Goodwin & Company's Old Judge series (N172). Titled *William Benjamin "Shorty Fuller, Shortstop,. Louis Browns*, it portrays the nimble athlete in a poised portrait, measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches. Produced in 1889 and tucked into Old Judge Cigarette packs, this ephemera exemplifies early mass-produced sports memorabilia, blending photography's precision with commercial savvy. Albumen prints, the era's gold standard for photographs, used egg whites to suspend light-sensitive silver salts, yielding sharp details and warm tones on these tiny cards. Goodwin & Company issued thousands like this one, chronicling Major League stars during baseball's formative years, when the St. Louis Browns vied for dominance in the American Association. These cards fueled a collecting craze, turning everyday smokers into avid archivists of America's pastime. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this piece highlights ephemera's cultural weight—preserving not just a player's likeness, but a snapshot of Gilded Age fandom and the sport's rising star power. A charming window into history's trading card roots!

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...