Schildknecht, Catcher, Milwaukee, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This sepia-toned photograph, part of the "Old Judge" series of baseball cards, depicts Charles "Cap" Schildknecht, a catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, in action. Created by Goodwin & Company in 1888, the card captures the intensity of the game, with Schildknecht in mid-catch. The card was designed as a collectible for Old Judge Cigarettes, highlighting the burgeoning popularity of baseball and the marketing strategies of the era. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses this small, yet significant, piece of baseball history.