William C. Crossley, Catcher, Milwaukee, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This 1889 lithograph by Goodwin & Company is part of the "Old Judge" series of baseball trading cards. It features William C. Crossley, a catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. The card showcases a simple, yet effective, portrait of the athlete in a full-length pose, holding a baseball glove and standing on a field. This piece of Americana provides a glimpse into the early days of professional baseball and the burgeoning popularity of baseball trading cards.