Lev Shreve, Pitcher, Indianapolis, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is a black and white photograph of Lev Shreve, a pitcher for the Indianapolis baseball team. It was created by Goodwin & Company in 1888 and is part of the "Old Judge" series of trading cards, produced to promote Old Judge cigarettes. The photograph shows Shreve in mid-pitch, wearing a baseball uniform with the word "Indianapolis" clearly visible on his chest. This card, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a great example of how baseball cards evolved from simple portraits to more dynamic depictions of action. The card design features a simple and elegant aesthetic, typical of trading cards from the late 19th century.