William Darnbrough, Pitcher, Denver, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes
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
63.350.215.172.1660
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century baseball with this petite albumen photograph from 1889, featuring Williambrough, a pitcher for Denver team. Produced by & Company as part of their iconic Old Judge series (N172 this card captures Darnbrough in a classic portrait pose, emblematic of early professional athletes. Measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches, its diminutive size belies its role as collectible ephemera inserted into Old Judge Cigarette packs, sparking a craze among fans and boosting tobacco sales during baseball's explosive growth in America. Albumen prints, the medium of choic...
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...