John Charles "Jack" Crooks, 2nd Base, Omaha Omahogs/ Lambs, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This small paper card featuring Jack Crooks, second base for the Omaha Omahogs, was created by Goodwin & Company to be included in packs of Old Judge Cigarettes. These cards were made using a photographic printing process called albumen print, named after the egg whites used to bind the photographic chemicals to the paper. Considered a precursor to modern baseball cards, these images were mass-produced and widely distributed, revealing a society increasingly fascinated by celebrity and professional sports. The albumen print process itself speaks to the industrialization of image-making at the time, with a focus on efficient reproduction. What makes this particular card interesting is its place within both the history of photography and the burgeoning culture of baseball. It highlights the intertwined relationship between commerce, leisure, and the mass production of images in the late 19th century. By distributing them with tobacco products, Goodwin & Company turned baseball players into collectible commodities, fueling both the popularity of the sport and the demand for their cigarettes.