Hughes, Pitcher, Brooklyn Bridegrooms, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This black and white photograph, part of the "Old Judge" series of baseball cards, features the Brooklyn Bridegrooms' pitcher, Hughes. The card was produced in 1889 by Goodwin & Company, a New York based company, as a promotional piece for "Old Judge" cigarettes. The card depicts Hughes standing with his hands clasped in front of him, looking at the viewer. The image was designed to fit in a small space, as it was printed on a card measuring only 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches. The photograph is a good example of early baseball card design, featuring a portrait-style image and promotional text at the bottom. The card is currently part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.