Thomas H. "Pat" Deasley, Catcher, New York, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

Curator: Isn't this "Thomas H. 'Pat' Deasley, Catcher, New York," an Old Judge Cigarettes baseball card from 1887, a fascinating relic? A piece of ephemeral culture lovingly preserved. Editor: It has this wonderfully sepia, old-timey feel. There’s something inherently romantic about it, capturing this perfect moment in baseball’s earlier years. Almost dreamlike, like sifting through cherished memories in faded photo albums. Curator: Exactly! The Goodwin & Company series cleverly uses photography printed onto these small cards to boost cigarette sales, placing a popular athlete like Deasley right into the hands of the everyday smoker, bridging admiration and consumerism. Editor: And think about that bat he holds... it is more than mere wood, it embodies aspiration, dedication and strength. He's got this grip that almost seems to connect him to something profound, ancestral almost. Plus, that old uniform feels like a tapestry that has been stitched through countless games under hard sunlight and roaring stands. Curator: What resonates is that these images served as accessible iconography. Baseball players became heroes within the public consciousness, symbolizing American ideals through their sportsmanship and athletic prowess. They were figures to look up to, a visual reminder of national identity. Editor: And to that end, doesn't it strike you as more intimate, this photo of him, even with the cigarette promotion lurking? Not stylized for myth making but still… vulnerable, mortal somehow, but striving... almost defiant, you could say? It makes him real to me in ways that today’s highly produced ads just don't touch. Curator: Well put, It provides this beautiful moment of contemplation regarding baseball history's humbler, grit-filled days. It acts almost like a touchstone, transporting one's thoughts backwards and giving historical depth not usually discovered now. Editor: It reminds us, quite eloquently in my opinion, of the timeless human search to achieve legendary status but under completely approachable means – a lesson for everyone really.