Billy Nash, 3rd Base, Boston, Mayo's Cut Plug Baseball series (N300) 1895

This 1895 baseball card, part of the Mayo's Cut Plug series, features Billy Nash, a third baseman for the Boston Beaneaters. The card was created by P.H. Mayo & Brother of Richmond, Virginia, and is a prime example of an early form of sports memorabilia, capturing the excitement of the sport with a simple portrait of the player in uniform. The card's small size and design were likely intended for easy distribution and collection, showcasing the budding popularity of baseball and trading cards in the late 19th century. This piece is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.