James Thomas "Deacon" McGuire, Catcher, Philadelphia, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This is a baseball card from the "Old Judge" series, created by Goodwin & Company in 1887 as a promotional item for Old Judge Cigarettes. The card features James Thomas "Deacon" McGuire, a catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, depicted in a classic batting pose. This card is a valuable piece of sports memorabilia and a fascinating example of 19th-century advertising. The card is a photographic print, highlighting the realism of the image. This card is currently part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.