William Franklin "Bill" Traffley, Catcher, Des Moines Prohibitionists, 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
63.350.215.172.1810
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century baseball with this petite albumen photograph from the Old Judge series (N), produced by Goodwin & in 1888. Titled *William Franklin "Bill" Traffley, Catcher, Moines Prohibitionists*, it captures the stern gaze and poised stance of Traffley, a key player for the minor-league Des Moines team. Measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches, this tiny portrait was designed as a collectible insert in Old Judge cigarette packs, blending sports heroism with tobacco marketing. Albumen prints, made by coating paper with egg whites and silver salts, delivered the cris...
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...