Larkin, Captain, Philadelphia Athletics, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This baseball card, featuring Larkin of the Philadelphia Athletics, was produced around 1888 by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. These cards emerged during a time when baseball was solidifying its status as America's pastime. Consider the social landscape: a burgeoning industrial era, waves of immigration, and deeply entrenched racial segregation. The baseball field, while ostensibly a space of national unity, mirrored these societal tensions. While the image celebrates an individual athlete, it’s also a reminder of the racial barriers that excluded many talented players from participating. The card captures a moment of athletic prowess, but it also signifies a selective representation of American identity. These early baseball cards contributed to the construction of an American mythology, one that often overlooked the contributions and experiences of marginalized communities.