Arthur Albert "Doc" Irwin, Shortstop, Philadelphia, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This photograph of Arthur Albert "Doc" Irwin, a shortstop for Philadelphia, was part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series by Goodwin & Company. The sepia tone gives the image a nostalgic quality, emphasizing its age and historical distance. Irwin is centered, posed in his baseball uniform, with a bat casually held. The composition is simple, focusing on the figure against a blurred background. The text elements— "PHIL" across his chest and the promotional text below—frame the image, integrating commercial intent with the portrayal of an athlete. The photograph captures a moment in time, both in the history of baseball and in the evolution of image-making for mass consumption. Consider how this early form of advertising uses the figure of the athlete to promote ideals of athleticism and success, intertwined with the consumption of tobacco products. It's a visual encoding of values, accessible and persuasive.