Your card, and any others with the "Old Judge Cigarettes" banner within the photo area (be it hot dog style or within a box) date to 1887 with exception of some of the Script cards which began production in 1886. There is a way to date each and every year and it has to do with the card design, not the copyright date that is often found on them. Your card is what is referred to as an 1887, Type B, zero Numbered card. If your card wasn't trimmed at bottom you would see the number "0358". This pose would be used on both Type A & B cards in 1887. It can also be found as a Gypsy Queen and lastly re-issued in 1888 as a type Fb.
If you take interest in the set, the Old Judge book (The Photographic Baseball Cards of Goodwin & Co.) can be very helpful. Congrats on your first OJ.
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Best Regards,
Joe Gonsowski
COLLECTOR OF:
- 19th century Detroit memorabilia and cards with emphasis on Goodwin & Co. issues ( N172 / N173 / N175 ) and Tomlinson cabinets
- N333 SF Hess Newsboys League cards (all teams)
- Pre ATC Merger (1890 and prior) cigarette packs and redemption coupons from all manufacturers
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