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

This baseball card of Baker from Philadelphia was produced by the American Tobacco Company as part of their T206 series. It’s made from paper, printed with colorful inks through a process called lithography. The card's materiality speaks volumes about mass production and consumer culture in the early 20th century. These cards were included in cigarette packs as a marketing strategy, linking leisure, sports, and the consumption of tobacco, reflecting the rise of commercialism and advertising. The printing process allowed for the creation of thousands of these cards, making them accessible to a wide audience. Although seemingly a simple product of industrial manufacturing, the card’s design and distribution reflect a complex interplay of labor, commerce, and popular culture. They represent a time when even everyday items could become collectible artifacts.