Albert C. "Al" Mays, Pitcher, Cleveland, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This 1889 baseball card from the Old Judge series, created by Goodwin & Company, features Albert C. "Al" Mays, a pitcher for the Columbus team. The card showcases Mays in a classic baseball pose, gripping his baseball bat with both hands, and is printed on a small, cream-colored sheet of paper. The sepia-toned, photographic image depicts Mays against a backdrop of trees and brush, with a simple inscription identifying him and the team he played for. The card is a popular collectible and a great example of the historical practice of using baseball cards for advertising, in this case, for Old Judge Cigarettes.