Shipke, Washington, American League, from the White Border series (T206) for the American Tobacco Company 1909 - 1911

This is a baseball card of Shipke, a player for Washington's American League team, produced by the American Tobacco Company as part of the T206 series. These cards, dating from the early 20th century, were originally inserted into cigarette packs, reflecting how deeply tobacco was woven into the fabric of everyday life, and into the burgeoning culture of professional baseball. The card captures Shipke in a poised moment, ready to pitch, yet it also frames a narrative of commerce, leisure, and early sports culture. During this time, baseball was solidifying its role as the "national pastime," a space largely dominated by white men. The American Tobacco Company, like many corporations of the era, profited from both the popularity of sports and the widespread use of tobacco, creating a cultural landscape steeped in complex social dynamics. This card is more than a piece of memorabilia; it is a small window into a time when industries, sports, and social norms were being shaped, and the faces of its participants were being consumed.