William J. "Kid" Gleason, Pitcher, Philadelphia, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This small card is one of many produced by Goodwin & Company as advertisements for Old Judge Cigarettes. It depicts William J. "Kid" Gleason, a pitcher for Philadelphia, in a posed moment. What strikes me about this image is how it encapsulates late 19th-century American ideals of masculinity and commerce. Gleason, caught in a moment of quiet concentration, embodies the virtues of focus and determination, qualities celebrated in both athletics and business. The fact that this image is tied to a commercial product—cigarettes—reveals how identities were being commodified and marketed. These cards were instrumental in popularizing baseball and its players, contributing to a sense of national identity centered on sports and consumer culture. There's a poignant vulnerability here too. The sepia tones evoke a bygone era, reminding us of the ephemeral nature of fame and the relentless march of time. It captures a moment in which the construction of identity intersects with commercial interests, leaving us to consider who profits, and who fades into sepia.