Bill Collins, Catcher, New York, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This 1887 "Old Judge" baseball card features Bill Collins, catcher for the New York team, created by the Goodwin & Company printing firm. The card shows Collins in a catching stance, wearing a protective mask, a catcher’s mitt, and a thick, padded chest protector. These cards were marketed as promotional items for Old Judge cigarettes, making them popular collectibles for baseball fans and card collectors. The card, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection in New York, is an example of early baseball memorabilia.