Elmer Ellsworth "Mike" Smith, Pitcher, Cincinnati, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This small card was produced by Goodwin & Company in the late 1880s, using an albumen print. This process, popular at the time, involved coating paper with egg white and then a light-sensitive silver solution. Look closely, and you can see the subtle tonal range achieved by this method. But consider also the broader context: baseball cards like these were essentially promotional items, included in packs of Old Judge Cigarettes. They represent an early instance of celebrity endorsement, connecting athletes with a mass-produced product. The card’s modest size speaks to its original purpose, meant to be collected and traded rather than displayed as art. Yet, in its own way, it documents the rise of both baseball and consumer culture in America, blurring the lines between sport, commerce, and visual representation. It's a reminder that even the humblest materials can tell a rich story about society.