Parke B. Swartzel, Pitcher, Kansas City Cowboys, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This 1888 baseball card, part of the "Old Judge" series produced by Goodwin & Company, features Parke B. Swartzel, a pitcher for the Kansas City Cowboys. The sepia-toned card depicts Swartzel in his uniform, holding a ball, with the "KC" of his team clearly visible on his chest. This type of card, known as a trade card, was a popular promotional tool in the late 19th century, often featuring athletes and distributed with tobacco products like Old Judge Cigarettes. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses this small but significant piece of baseball history, offering a glimpse into the sport's early days and the marketing techniques employed by companies of the era.