Joseph Abraham "Joe" Werrick, 3rd Base, St. Paul Apostles, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888 - 1889

This black and white photograph of baseball player Joseph Abraham “Joe” Werrick is part of the “Old Judge” series of trading cards, which were produced by Goodwin & Company between 1888 and 1889 to promote their brand of Old Judge cigarettes. The card shows Werrick, wearing a St. Paul uniform, in a classic baseball pose, ready to catch the ball. The “Old Judge” series is famous among baseball collectors and is recognized as the first commercially produced baseball trading cards. These cards were not just popular for their artwork but also for featuring many of the great baseball players of the time.