Presenting the 1887 N172 Old Judge Connie Mack card—the earliest known signed sports card in existence. This extraordinary artifact from the dawn of baseball card collecting is more than just a card; it is a living relic from the golden age of the game, capturing one of baseball's greatest minds, Connie Mack, during his playing days as a catcher for the Washington Nationals.

The N172 Old Judge series, issued by Goodwin & Company between 1887 and 1890, is one of the most historically significant and challenging sets ever produced. Featuring over 500 different players and nearly 2,000 poses, it remains a cornerstone of 19th-century baseball card collecting. This Connie Mack card, however, is the only one known to be signed, adding immeasurable rarity and significance to this already highly coveted set.

Not only is the Old Judge series one of the earliest major baseball card sets, but it was also a groundbreaking marketing tool for Goodwin & Co. Their cards, featuring sepia-toned photographs, were included in packs of Old Judge Cigarettes, enticing buyers to collect and trade. Completing a full Old Judge set is an almost insurmountable challenge due to its vast size and numerous variations, but cards like this Connie Mack are considered crown jewels in any collection.

Autographs from this era are exceedingly rare, especially on a medium like a trading card. During a time when signed memorabilia was virtually unheard of, having Connie Mack’s signature on an Old Judge card is nearly impossible. The combination of this being an Old Judge card and bearing Mack’s signature elevates its status as an unparalleled piece of baseball history.

This card stands as one of the most treasured pieces in the collecting world—not just for its rarity, but for its timeless connection to baseball’s earliest days. It bridges the gap between the sport’s inception and its modern legacy, serving as a reminder of how far the game has come and the legends who shaped it.

A true museum-quality artifact, this card captures both the image and autograph of one of baseball's most iconic figures, preserving his legacy for generations to come.