Edward James "Big Ed" Delahanty, 2nd Base, Philadelphia, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes
1887–90
Medium
Albumen photograph
Dimensions
sheet: 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 in. (6.9 x 3.5 cm)
Classification
Photographs|Ephemera
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, Gift of Jefferson R. Burdick
Accession Number
63.350.214.172.877
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the golden age of baseball with this petite albumen photograph from Goodwin & Company's iconic Old Judge series (N), produced between 1887 and 1890. Titled *Edward James "Big Ed Delahanty, 2nd Base, Philadelphia*, captures the towering slugger—known for his power hitting and versatility—in a crisp portrait, emblematic of early professional sports stardom. Measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches, this ephemera was tucked into Old Judge cigarette packs as a promotional insert, sparking a collecting frenzy among fans and fueling baseball's rise as America's pastime. The albumen process, ...
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...