John Charles "Jack" Rowe, Shortstop, Detroit Wolverines, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This 1887 baseball card, part of the "Old Judge" series for Old Judge Cigarettes, depicts John Charles "Jack" Rowe, shortstop for the Detroit Wolverines. The card, created by Goodwin & Company, is a classic example of the early trading card style. It showcases a simple, yet effective, portrait of Rowe holding a bat in a striking pose, set against a backdrop of a ballpark. This photograph, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a glimpse into the early days of professional baseball and the advertising strategies of the era.