Henry Francis "Hank" O'Day, Pitcher, Washington Nationals, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

Editor: This is "Henry Francis 'Hank' O'Day, Pitcher, Washington Nationals," a baseball card from the "Old Judge" series by Goodwin & Company, printed in 1887. It’s a gelatin silver print, so an early form of photography. He looks so serious, like a character from a sepia-toned dream. What catches your eye about this particular image? Curator: Dreams indeed. This little card is more than just a baseball player; it’s a portal. Look at the way O'Day is framed, almost reverentially, against that soft, hazy backdrop. He’s not just a sportsman, but a symbol of…well, what *is* he a symbol of, do you think? Is it simply masculinity and prowess of the sport, or something more ethereal? I'm almost tasting that sepia tone - dusty leather and old tobacco. Editor: I hadn't considered it that way. Perhaps it's also a symbol of the emerging commercialization of sport? The "Old Judge Cigarettes" at the top makes it undeniably about selling something, using O'Day's image as bait. Does that diminish the artistry, or enhance it by layering in that element of early advertising? Curator: Ah, a most poignant observation, the entanglement of art, sport, and early advertisement! And consider this – imagine finding this tucked into a cigarette pack. A fleeting moment of aspiration amidst the everyday indulgence. The cigarette is gone but we still get the gift. Editor: I love that perspective! Seeing it as a found treasure, a bit of beauty unexpectedly discovered. That adds a layer of romance to the grit of the cigarette advertisement. Curator: Exactly! It reframes the entire experience of art! And so ends our stroll through a cigarette card that opens a portal...