Clarkson, Pitcher, Boston, 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 a sepia-toned portrait of professional baseball player Clarkson, a pitcher for the Boston team. The card, measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches, showcases a classic format popular for the time, placing the player in a simple, static pose against a background of a generic cityscape. The image is a prime example of early baseball card design, a precursor to the colorful and detailed collectibles that would become popular in the 20th century. This card, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, offers a glimpse into the history of the sport and the evolution of trading card design.