Harry "Doc" Sage, Catcher, Toledo, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This 1888 cabinet card by Goodwin & Company is a portrait of Harry "Doc" Sage, catcher for the Toledo baseball team. A popular form of ephemera in the late 19th century, cabinet cards were often used for advertising, and this example, from the "Old Judge" series, features a prominent advertisement for Old Judge Cigarettes in the lower portion. The card depicts Sage in a relaxed pose holding a baseball bat, with the classic 19th-century baseball uniform, including the high-waisted pants, cap, and long stockings. The monochrome photograph is characteristic of the era and showcases the emerging trend of using images to promote consumer products.