John Irwin, 3rd Base, Washington Nationals, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This 1888 baseball card features John Irwin, the third baseman for the Washington Nationals, and is part of the "Old Judge" series of cards produced by Goodwin & Company to promote Old Judge cigarettes. The image shows Irwin holding a baseball bat in a classic batting pose, dressed in a white uniform and cap. The card is a prime example of the popular trading card genre of the late 19th century, which helped to popularize baseball and other sports. "Old Judge" cards, known for their high-quality printing and striking images, are sought after by collectors today. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is just one of the institutions that houses these captivating artifacts of baseball history.