William E. "Will" Fuller, Catcher, Milwaukee, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This 1888 lithograph by Goodwin & Company depicts William E. "Will" Fuller, a catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. The "Old Judge" card is part of a set of 87 baseball player cards produced by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes, a popular brand at the time. The photograph-like image shows Fuller in a crouched position, his glove extended, ready to receive a throw, a common image for catcher cards in the series. This artifact provides a snapshot of the popular sport of baseball in the late 19th century, a time before the sport was fully professionalized.