An extraordinary and seldom-seen 19th century baseball relic, an 1889 A35 Old Judge Baseball Album featuring Hall of Famer John Ward, issued by Goodwin & Company. Dating back to the earliest era of organized baseball card production, this album represents one of the most historically significant and visually striking pieces from the Old Judge series.

The A35 Baseball Album was a premium redemption-style item, offered to collectors who accumulated Old Judge cigarette cards, making surviving examples far scarcer than the standard N172 cards themselves. These albums were produced in limited quantities and were often heavily handled, resulting in very few remaining intact today.

This example features John Ward, one of the most important figures in early baseball history, a Hall of Fame player, attorney, and founder of the first players’ union. Ward’s legacy extends far beyond the field, making items featuring him particularly desirable among advanced collectors.

The album showcases the classic Old Judge aesthetic, with sepia-toned imagery and period typography that perfectly captures the look and feel of 19th century baseball. Its larger format presentation offers a unique display piece compared to traditional tobacco cards of the era.

Condition-wise, albums of this type are rarely found without wear. This example may exhibit typical age-related characteristics such as edge wear, surface wear, creasing, or handling marks, all consistent with its 130+ year history. Despite this, it remains an impressive and highly collectible piece of early baseball memorabilia.

Old Judge materials are among the most important and foundational items in the hobby, and A35 Baseball Albums are significantly rarer than their card counterparts. Pieces featuring Hall of Famers especially figures as historically significant as Ward are rarely offered publicly.

A true museum-level artifact from the infancy of baseball collecting an exceptional opportunity to acquire a rare and historically rich Old Judge premium that would anchor any advanced pre-war or 19th century collection.

You will receive the exact item(s) pictured.

Happy Bidding!