Amos Rusie, Pitcher, Indianapolis, 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 from Goodwin & Company's Old Judge series (N172 produced in 1889. Titled *Amos Rusie,er, Indianapolis*, the card captures the intense gaze of the athlete in a close-up portrait, measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches. These cards were clever promotional inserts tucked into Old Judge Cigarette packs, blending tobacco marketing with the rising craze for America's pastime. The albumen process, a hallmark of the era's photography, yielded sharp, richly toned images on thin paper stock, making these ephemera bo...

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...