William "California" Brown, Catcher, New York, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

This is a trading card from the "Old Judge" series, produced by Goodwin & Company in the late 19th century to promote Old Judge Cigarettes. The card depicts William "California" Brown, a catcher for the New York baseball team, in a full catcher's uniform, including a protective mask and chest protector. The image was likely taken from a studio photograph, and the card is a testament to the growing popularity of baseball and the innovative use of trading cards as a promotional tool. The card, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a significant piece of American sports history and graphic design.