William Moffat "Billy" Earle, Catcher, Cincinnati, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is a baseball card from the "Old Judge" series, produced by Goodwin & Company in 1888. The card features William Moffat "Billy" Earle, catcher for the Cincinnati Reds, in a classic baseball pose. The card is a sepia-toned photograph, printed on a small sheet of paper. This card, and the others in the series, were given away with packs of Old Judge Cigarettes. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this piece in its collection. The card is a great example of early baseball memorabilia and an important artifact for baseball enthusiasts.