Van Haltren, Pitcher, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century American baseball with this petite albumen photograph from 1888, titled *Van Haltren, Pitch, Chicago*, produced by Goodwin & Company as part of their iconic Old Judge series (N) for Old Judge Cigarettes Measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches, this intimate portrait captures George Van Halen, a star pitcher for the Chicago team in a formal pose that highlights his athletic prowess. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department as part of the Jefferson R Burdick Collection, it exemplifies early sports ephemera—collectible ins...

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...