Madden, Pitcher, Boston, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This 1887 baseball card from the "Old Judge" series features a portrait of pitcher "Madden" from the Boston team. Produced by Goodwin & Company, the card uses a simple photographic style with a neutral background to present a clear image of the athlete. These cards, originally distributed with Old Judge cigarettes, are an early example of trading cards that predate the modern era of sports memorabilia. The image is a fascinating glimpse into the history of baseball and the way it was depicted in the 19th century.