Samuel Luther "Sam" Thompson, Right Field, Detroit Wolverines, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This 1887 "Old Judge" baseball card, part of the N172 series produced by Goodwin & Company, features Samuel Luther "Sam" Thompson, a right fielder for the Detroit Wolverines. The black and white photograph showcases Thompson in his uniform, standing with a serious expression and his arms crossed. The card's simple design, with the player's name, team, and the "Old Judge Cigarettes" logo, exemplifies the typical style of 19th-century trading cards, highlighting the rise of professional sports and the emerging culture of collecting. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City houses this small, yet historically significant, piece of American sports history.