Nichols, Left Field, Pittsburgh, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This 1889 baseball card, part of the "Old Judge" series, features a portrait of professional baseball player, “Nichols, L.F., Pittsburgs.” The card is a sepia-toned photograph depicting Nichols standing with a bat in a field, a signature baseball card style of the era. It was produced by Goodwin & Company and distributed as part of a promotional effort for Old Judge Cigarettes. The small size of the card, 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 in., makes it a collectible piece of Americana. The image and card design highlight the growing popularity of baseball and tobacco, and the use of trading cards as a promotional tool during this period.