Sproat, Pitcher, St. Louis Whites, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1889

This black and white photograph is a baseball card from the *Old Judge* series, produced by Goodwin & Company between 1887 and 1889, for Old Judge Cigarettes. The card features baseball player Ed Sproat, a pitcher for the St. Louis Whites. The photograph is a simple portrait of Sproat holding a baseball bat, with a blurry background of foliage and what appears to be a baseball field. The card measures 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches, and is now part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These cards are a valuable piece of baseball history, as well as a glimpse into the advertising and marketing strategies of the late 19th century.