Peeples, Catcher, Brooklyn, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

This small card featuring Peeples, the catcher for Brooklyn, was produced by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. These cards, which emerged in the late 19th century, weren't just about baseball; they were very much about marketing and constructing an image of masculinity and leisure. Consider Peeples here, posed with bat in hand, the image presents an idealized version of athleticism. Yet, it's also an advertisement, subtly linking this image of vitality with the consumption of cigarettes. This intertwining of sport, commerce, and identity speaks to the broader societal shifts happening at the time, particularly around the construction of a white, middle-class male identity. These cards were hugely popular, but they also served as a kind of cultural mirror, reflecting and shaping perceptions of who was valorized in society. While offering a glimpse into the world of early baseball, they also remind us of the complex ways in which identity, consumerism, and representation are interwoven.