Hartman Louis "Doc" Oberlander, Pitcher, Cleveland, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

This baseball card featuring Hartman Louis "Doc" Oberlander was made by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. Produced in the late 19th century, the card is a small paper print, a far cry from today's glossy sports memorabilia. The sepia-toned photograph is glued onto a cardboard backing, a process that would have been quite labor-intensive. Imagine the assembly line of workers, pasting photographs onto card after card. These were then inserted into cigarette packs, a marketing ploy to boost sales. What I find interesting is the convergence of industry, sport, and consumer culture. This card wasn't intended as high art, but rather as a disposable promotional item. Yet, today, it's a valuable artifact, offering a glimpse into the cultural landscape of the time. It challenges our notions of value and reminds us that even the most mass-produced objects can hold historical significance.