Cunningham, Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This small photographic print is from the Old Judge series of baseball cards made around 1888 by Goodwin & Company. It depicts Cunningham, a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, in sepia tones, posed formally with a bat. These cards were originally distributed with Old Judge Cigarettes, reflecting the entwined relationship between commerce, leisure, and identity in late 19th-century America. Baseball, emerging as a national pastime, became a vehicle for marketing products to a predominantly male audience. The figure of the baseball player, like Cunningham here, was constructed as a symbol of American masculinity and athleticism. Yet, it also intersected with broader social themes of labor, leisure, and class. Consider, too, the way the tobacco industry, and its marketing strategies, targeted different demographics, often exploiting racial and class divisions. This piece isn't just about baseball; it's about the cultural and economic forces shaping American society.