William "Buck" Ewing played in the majors for 18 years, collecting more than 1,600 hits including 250 doubles, 178 triples, 71 home runs, and batting for a .303 average, all before 1900. He had at least 354 steals, as well, though the totals from his first six seasons are unknown. In all but one year from 1883 through 1892, Ewing played for the National League's New York Giants, leading the league in home runs once, and triples once, on the way to a Hall of Fame career as the 19th century's greatest catcher.

A sharp, 1888 printing, this is a less frequently-seen pose of Ewing, who is featured on no fewer than 11 different Old Judge poses. Though some chipping is notable at the top-right corner, and some mild staining and discoloration is evident, the PR 1 grade assessed by PSA is a result of back damage that clearly occurred during removal from a scrapbook. Glue and paper remnants at each of the four corners, along with moderate paper loss, automatically drops the technical grade of a card to its lowest possible levels, regardless of whether the card front boasts the eye appeal of a much stronger card - as is the case here. One of the more desirable subjects in the massive N172 Old Judge issue.