Michael Joseph "$10,000" Kelly, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge and Gypsy Queen Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century baseball with this tiny gem from the Metropolitan Museum of Art: a 1887 albumen photograph Michael Joseph "$10,000" Kelly, part of Goodwin & Company's iconic Old Judge series (N). Produced for Old Judge and Gypsy Queen Cig, this 2 11/16 x 1 3/8-inch card captures the dashing athlete in a formal portrait pose, emblematic of the era's growing obsession with America's pastime. Kelly, a legendary outfielder and catcher nicknamed for his record-breaking $10,000 transfer fee, embodies the star power that fueled early sports fandom. These ephemera cards we...

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...